Update: April 19, 2022 – After a seven month break after the email service fiasco with MailPoet, I’ve returned to MailerLite so I can do a newsletter again. The break was good. I could just delete this post, but I don’t do that. I wrote what I wrote below and now I’ve changed my mind. You can subscribe here.
Today I took another big step toward my commitment to returning to more old-fashioned blogging. I made the decision to cease maintaining an email list and writing a newsletter.
I’m sorry I didn’t let people know ahead of time. Some people only come here when they get an email notification from me so hopefully they eventually realize that they haven’t heard from me and come to see what’s going on. The lack of warning was part of what made me quit. I had been having issues with my email service and I decided I was just DONE. It wasn’t a snap decision. I had been thinking about it for at least a week. It was a kind of a last straw situation this morning when they told me I couldn’t email my list without jumping through a bunch of hoops due to spam flagging. At that moment, I knew that was IT.
So I spent today removing all the opt-in forms from my site, fixing all the posts and pages that were impacted by it, cancelling my email service, and removing the plugins. It might not sound like a big deal, but it took almost my entire day.
This was not a small decision from the business standpoint. It closes a lot of doors if you don’t have an email list. But I honestly decided I just didn’t care any longer.
My God is bigger than an email list.
So if you want to keep up on what I’m doing here, you’ll have to do it the old-fashioned way. You can set a bookmark, add me to your Feedly, etc. If you have a way you like to receive updates from blogs, leave a comment. I’m sure there are ways to do it that I’m not even aware of and you can help others.
It is such an amazing feeling of freedom to no longer have to maintain all of it. Things like that suck me dry. I’m a writer who doesn’t write enough. Slowly eliminating things from my life is certainly helping.
I’m thankful.
And free.
Added: I have put an option in the sidebar to receive automatic notifications of new posts.
When You’ve Lost Faith In The System
I signed up on your site to receive a notification when you post. So, I got one on my phone when you made this one. I’ve enjoyed your blog. I’m still here. Keep going. 💖
Hi Misti,
Thank you for mentioning that! Yes, there is also the little red bell in the bottom corner of the site that people can use. That sends out a push notification whenever I post. I am amazed how many people use it!
Thank you for your kind words. I appreciate it! ♥
Sallie
Well, you were right, Sallie. I was just sitting here eating lunch, and I thought, I haven’t seen any emails from Sallie lately. I wonder what’s going on. So I went over to your blog, and here’s the post. I’m only a day late finding out! LOL!
Cheryl
Hi Cheryl,
That’s funny! I think most people who open and read my emails will figure it out within a week or two.
And you aren’t even a day late! I posted it late last night before I went to bed so you are right on the cutting edge here. LOL!
Good to hear from you! ♥
Sallie
I am all about making things easier. We will still keep reading.
Hi Sandy,
Yes, to simplifying in the important areas! I want to practice what I preach and encourage others to make their own simplifying choices.
Thanks for saying hello!
Sallie
I will continue to seek to read your blog. My life has become so small, and following you helps me to feel connected and informed. Thank you for all you have accomplished. I am happy for your freedom.
Hi Melinda,
I’m glad you feel like connecting here makes a difference in your life. I have always enjoyed connecting with my readers in the comments. The people behind the names matter to me.
Thank you for the encouraging words. ♥
Sallie
I’m sticking around here too Sallie.I think the work you do is valuable and I appreciate how you stay on top of the crazy times we are in.I read your forums daily and I have certain blogs I visit very regularly.I have been here since before your Caroline was born. Email,no email,new sites,old sites,forums or no forums….thanks for being a great writer and helping all of us along.
Joslyn 🌺
Hi Joslyn,
Wow! You have been around a long time! You know me better than most of my relatives and friends if you’ve followed my various exploits over all those years. LOL!
This tells me you are a gracious person. Someone would have to be to be patient through all the various rabbit trails I’ve gone down around here over the years. ♥
Sallie
I’ve just added an option in the sidebar that makes it possible to receive notifications of new posts in your email. It’s an automated system, not a newsletter. People asked about options for notifications so this is one.
You can also use the red bell down in the corner. That will provide a push notification in your browser each time I post something new.
The red bell notification is instantaneous. The email notification is not.