The Death of The Nettle Ezine
The idea for The Nettle Ezine came from the much-hyped model of producing a regular newsletter and using it as a vehicle for promoting affiliate products. Working on PayPerShop and the PayPerShop Newsletter had given me valuable experience and I honestly believed I could do a better job than 95% of the other ezines out there.
My main claim to originality was an insistence on featuring original articles. No public domain articles and no re-hashed material. Every article featured would be an exclusive.
I also liked the idea of reviewing programs I genuinely liked whether they had an affiliate program or not.
After a few months I realised that as each issue went by I was spending more and more time trying to create a bigger, better and more useful ezine and less and less time on finding affiliate programs.
There were two solutions to this:
1) Forget the affiliate programs, concentrate on building The Nettle Ezine and eventually go broke.
2) Kill The Nettle Ezine off and create a new business model that would enable me to produce a better product and still pay the rent.
The first option had a nice, selfless, martyrdom feel to it, but was unrealistic.
The second option made more sense so I set things in motion.
I began by selling The Nettle to the newly-formed Paypershop Ltd. I’ve retained my role as editor and webmaster, but I now have more time and money to spend on the project.
The Nettle will remain dormant while work continues behind the scenes. After a few months, hopefully before the end of the year, The Nettle will re-launch as:
THE NETTLE MAGAZINE: “For The Home Business – Online”
The Nettle will continue to be an online publication, but the title of ‘magazine’ rather than ‘ezine’ will, hopefully, communicate a marked difference in the overall content.
Most ezines feature the writings of one person, limited to the knowledge of that individual, or they feature the writings of many people via articles pulled from the public domain.
The Nettle Magazine will feature articles from a team of individuals, writing articles specifically for The Nettle. Each writer focussing on one aspect of home business that they specialise in.
Categories covered will include but, not be limited to:
- Web Marketing
- Web Design
- Search Engines
- Traffic Exchanges
- Affiliate Programs
- PC Housekeeping
I also plan to include some topics unrelated to home business. The goal of the Nettle Magazine is to be entertaining as well as informative.
Below are the answers to some of the questions this article will probably generate.
How much will it cost?
Exact figures have yet to be finalised, but you can expect the figure to be around $5 a month. With new issues being released bi-monthly, this works out at just $2.50 per issue.
The Nettle Magazine will be subscription-based, but I am absolutely convinced that the final product will be worth well beyond the asking price.
And, with our generous affiliate program, two referrals will effectively pay for your subscription.
How will the affiliate program work?
Again, exact numbers have yet to be finalised, but I expect the figures to be in the region of:
50% on the first level ($2.50 per referral, per month)
10% on the second level ($0.50 per referral, per month).
You will receive that percentage from each monthly payment your referral makes for as long as they continue to subscribe.
By setting the affiliate percentage at this level, even if you can only recruit one person, you will still effectively half your subscription fee.
Of course, if you dont want to promote The Nettle Magazine, $5 per month is a very small price to pay. We want this publication to be accessible to even the smallest of budgets.
What will be the minimum payout for the affiliate program?
$15.
How frequently will be The Nettle Magazine be published?
Twice per calendar month.
Will there be a free option?
No. But there will be a one month, money-back, guarantee for new subscribers.
Putting together a magazine of this size and quality will take considerably more work than the average newsletter. Making the newsletter subscription-only will allow us to create a home business magazine that will genuinely be of benefit to your online ventures.
I dont want to subscribe to The Nettle Magazine, what will happen to my existing email subscription?
Subscribers to The Nettle Ezine will continue to receive emails approximately once a fortnight, updating you on our progress in completing The Nettle Magazine.
The last email will invite you to try The Nettle Magazine out but, whichever option you choose the mailing list for The Nettle Ezine will then be deleted. This list will not be sold or rented to anybody else.
Who should read The Nettle Magazine?
Anyone who is trying to make money from a home business, whether it is supplementing a day job or it is the sole means of income.
The Nettle Magazine will provide useful advice, up to date news on the industry and an entertaining accompaniment to your work.
Will The Nettle Forum remain?
Yes, although it will be upgraded to a better forum script. Existing members will need to register again, but plenty of advance notice will be given.
Will there be a pre-launch?
Hmm. A little embarrassed to admit it, but there will be a pre-launch of sorts. A month before the first issue is released, The Nettle will accept new members.
Members joining during this period will have access to an introductory issue of The Nettle Magazine and also the Specials area.
Specials area?
Yep. More on this later.
Where and when will the re-launch be announced?
As soon as the The Nettle is ready to open its doors again, this will be announced at the NetMarketingForum first. I owe a debt of gratitude to everyone at NMF for their assistance and education over the last year or so and this is my way of saying thanks.
If you want to be one of the first to join and promote The Nett
Will I be able to write for The Nettle?
Some of the writing positions have already been filled and, all being well, some more will be filled over the next few days.
At some point over the next few weeks, I will be making an open call at The Nettle Forum and at NMF for anyone who is interested in filling one of the remaining positions. Full details will be available at this time.
Hopefully this article has answered most of your questions. If you have further questions or suggestions, please direct these to me at david@thenettle.com. As previously stated, I will also publish any appropriate replies on The Nettle Blog.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the subscribers to The Nettle, especially those who have been following The Nettle since Issue #1. I hope you’ll continue to benefit from what The Nettle has to offer.
Although I will be keeping subscribers to The Nettle Ezine up to date approximately once a fortnight, if you want a blow by blow account of the development of The Nettle Magazine, bookmark The Nettle Blog or subscribe to the Site Feed.
Thanks for taking the time to read. All being well, we’ll be back before the end of the year.
Best wishes,
David Congreave
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