I subscribe to a newsletter that sends “reminder” emails if I skip an issue. If I don’t open one of the email newsletters I receive, then a few days later, a copy will be sent with a forward of the form “looks like you skipped an issue. Here what you missed.”

These reminder emails are bad, and here’s why:

  1. It gives the impression of hustling me. I appreicate the time you take to publish something that I see value in, but sending these reminders feels like your forcing your content onto me. Like I just got to read this content. Really, you must read it! And, oh! You forgot this one day? Well I’ll make sure you don’t forget it (and me) again. Please, back off! I’ve received your content and I’ll get to it when I get to it, if I feel like it, after I’ve read all the other newsletters I received. Please don’t push me to read it on your schedule.

  2. It just confirms that they’re tracking what I open. I mean, I know this aready, but it does bring it front of mind.

If you’ve got an email newsletter, please don’t do this. It could just be me, but I don’t read every issue of every newsletter I receive, apart from a few exceptions. If I’ve subscribed to yours, then know that I get value from your content. Really, I do; I wouldn’t have subscribed otherwise. But sending these reminder emails out do not do your content any favours.