Plans of Starting a Newsletter
Metadata
Published: Jan 14, 2025
Tags: #🌐 newsletter planning
tl;dr version
At this point, I decided to try out Quaily since it has a Obsidian plugin for publishing. Let’s see how that goes. Next in line will be ButtonDown.
Why a Newsletter?
I’ve always been drawn to technology and how it shapes our world. Over the years, I’ve found myself constantly sharing interesting tech stories and my perspectives with friends and colleagues. Now, as I build AgileCode Studio, I feel it’s time to share these discoveries and insights with a broader audience. While I’ve spent years consuming content from various creators who’ve built consistent writing habits, I believe it’s time for me to shift from being just a consumer to also becoming a creator.
This newsletter represents the next step in my evolution as a writer. While my writing has taken various forms over the years—from blog posts to product documentation—this newsletter aims to combine my love for technology with my experience in product management and personal growth.
The newsletter format appeals to me because it offers a personal way to connect with readers while providing the accountability I need to write regularly. Through this newsletter, I want to share fascinating tech stories I discover, offer my take on industry developments, discuss productivity approaches that work for me, and document my journey of personal reinvention. It’s not about having all the answers, but rather about exploring these topics together with my readers and learning along the way.
This newsletter initiative aligns with my recent digital garden revival efforts, as both focus on sharing knowledge and building in public. Like my approach to digital gardening, the newsletter will emphasize authentic content over perfection.
Content Focus
- Interesting stories from around web on Tech and opinions on the same
- Productivity tips and experiences
- Personal growth journey
- Self-employment transition
- Tools and software reviews
- General life learnings
Criteria
Part of this note is about me researching about which tool to use for sending out newsletters. Similar to my approach to knowledge management, I’m focusing on creating a system that minimizes friction and enables consistent content creation. The chosen newsletter platform needs to integrate seamlessly with my existing three-layer system for managing information.
Frankly, with zero followers at this time, I don’t plan to spend too much time into it. My first focus is to make writing newsletters a habit, and the second one is to find those who might be even remotely interested to read what I write. Having said that, here are a few criteria that are important to me:
- Has to have a free tier. I don’t mind paying for services I get value out of, but I surely mind paying for them from day one, without proving that I am getting value from them.
- Easy to use. I want to spend time in creating, and not in management of tools and systems.
- Integration with my existing tools is crucial, particularly with Obsidian as my primary content creation platform. Just as I’ve integrated tools like Todoist and Fantastical into my workflow, the chosen newsletter platform needs to fit seamlessly into my content creation process.
Research
For beginners venturing into the world of newsletters, selecting the right tool is crucial, especially for those leveraging Obsidian as their primary writing platform. From user-friendly options like Buttondown and Substack to feature-rich platforms like MailerLite and Quaily, these tools offer varying degrees of integration, automation, and monetization capabilities, catering to diverse needs and workflows.
Top Newsletter Tools for Beginners
1. Buttondown
- Simple, minimalist interface ideal for beginners
- Free tier for up to 1,000 subscribers
- Markdown support, making it compatible with Obsidian’s export format
- API support for potential custom integrations
2. Quaily
- AI-powered assistance to enhance the writing process
- Dedicated Obsidian plugin for seamless integration (See: Publish newsletter from Obsidian)
- Free to start, with a 10% commission on earnings
- Multi-channel delivery options beyond email
3. MailerLite
- Intuitive drag & drop editor for easy email creation
- Free plan available for up to 1,000 subscribers
- Comprehensive features including website builder and signup forms
- Detailed analytics to monitor newsletter performance
4. ConvertKit
- User-friendly interface suitable for beginners (ConvertKit Pricing)
- Free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers
- Built-in commerce tools for easy monetization
- Visual automation builder for creating email sequences
5. Substack
- Popular among writers for its simplicity and built-in audience
- Free to start, with a percentage taken from paid subscriptions
- Easy to use with a focus on writing and community building
Additional considerations:
- For Obsidian users, tools that support Markdown (like Buttondown and Quaily) offer smoother workflows
- Consider using QuickAdd, an Obsidian plugin, to create newsletter templates within Obsidian
- Explore Obsidian Roundup for inspiration on Obsidian-centric newsletter creation
Potential Tools to Explore
Resources
Obsidian Integration Options
Direct Integration Platforms
Quaily
- Dedicated Obsidian plugin
- Direct publishing from Obsidian to newsletter platform
- AI-powered assistance
Buttondown
- No direct integration
- Native Markdown support
- Compatible with Obsidian’s export format
Platforms Without Direct Integration
MailerLite & ConvertKit
- Export Obsidian notes as Markdown/HTML
- Copy-paste content into platform editor
- Use Zapier for workflow automation
Quaily’s Unique Features
Core Capabilities
- Multi-channel integration support:
- X (Twitter)
- Telegram
- Discord
- Email delivery
- AI-powered writing assistance
- Scientific writing support
Publishing Features
- “Bower” for sharing ideas
- “Packs” for publishing collections as books
- Cryptocurrency payment acceptance
Pricing Model
- Free tier available
- Creator-friendly pricing:
- 10% commission on earnings
- Additional transaction fees only after monetization
Newsletter Tools Comparison Chart
Platform Comparison
| Feature | Buttondown | MailerLite | Quaily | ConvertKit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Up to 1,000 subscribers | Up to 1,000 subscribers | Yes, with 10% commission | Up to 1,000 subscribers |
| Ease of Use | Simple, minimalist interface | Intuitive drag & drop editor | AI-powered assistance | User-friendly interface |
| Obsidian Integration | Markdown support | No direct integration | Dedicated plugin | No direct integration |
| Automation | Basic | Advanced | AI-powered | Advanced |
| Monetization | Not built-in | Digital product sales | Crypto payments, memberships | Built-in commerce tools |
| Unique Features | API support, custom domains | Website builder, signup forms | Multi-channel delivery, scientific writing | Visual automation builder |
| Analytics | Basic | Detailed performance monitoring | Detailed data analytics | Advanced reporting |
| Pricing (1k-5k subscribers) | $9/month | $21/month | 10% commission + fees | $29/month (Creator plan) |
Platform Highlights
Buttondown
- Straightforward approach with minimalist interface
- Developer-friendly with API support
- Ideal for simplicity-focused users
MailerLite
- Comprehensive marketing solution
- All-in-one suite including website builder
- Detailed analytics capabilities
Quaily
- AI-powered features
- Multi-channel delivery options
- Cost-effective for beginners (commission-based)
ConvertKit
- Robust automation tools
- Built-in commerce features
- Tiered pricing based on subscriber count
Integration Considerations
- Best Obsidian workflows: Buttondown (Markdown) and Quaily (plugin)
- Most comprehensive features: MailerLite and ConvertKit
- Most cost-effective start: Quaily’s commission-based model
Community Resources
- Obsidian Roundup as reference for newsletter creation
- Discussion platforms: