A newsletter is a regularly distributed publication generally about one main topic that is of interest to its subscribers. Many newsletters are published by clubs, societies, associations, and businesses, especially companies, to provide information of interest to their members or employees. Some newsletters are created as money-making ventures and sold directly to subscribers.

Online newsletters

Many popular websites and businesses have online newsletters, known as eNewsletters, which are sent to their subscribers electronically, usually via email. Their purpose is to inform readers of updates to the site and/or provide information relating to the site's topic. Newsletters are also a factor in building and maintaining a relationship with the subscribers by reminding them of the site, urging them to return.

eNewsletters, especially when originating from companies, are often thinly veiled spam, which is the unsolicited electronic distribution of advertising directly to consumers. Various websites that require registration often have an option to subscribe to various eNewsletters. These options are usually selected by default, which results in many users opting into the newsletter because they did not read the form carefully enough.

See also

* Electronic mailing lists are similar to eNewsletters, except that they are usually less commercial in nature, and can often be posted to by any member of the email list. In that case they can also be used for group discussion.
* The News Letter - a newspaper based in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Category:Mass media
Category:Publications