I’m thinking of making this Saturday wrapa regular thing. In part because it feels weird when Saturday comes, and I don’t need to have anything written by 9am. Also though, I’d like to have this as a place to toss ideas around between you and me.
What works? What doesn’t? The discussion is open to paid and unpaid subscribers, so don’t be shy!
In one week, Couchfish has gone from 250 to 382 (free and paid) subscribers. The open rate (what percentage of subscribers actually open the email) floats around 60-70%. I’m more than delighted by this. Thank you.
On the cliff edge, Phu Chee Fah, northern Thailand. Photo: Stuart McDonald.
Change coming
I am planning to add a second email for free subscribers, on Tuesdays, at 5pm GMT +8. Here’s why:
The free emails are the best way for Couchfish to reach new readers. The current free Friday email though, is a different beast to the main list.
These pieces though, differ from the paid list—which is a day by day “fantasy” itinerary through Southeast Asia. So I have ended up with a bit of a newsletter–train on two separate tracks—and I’d like to bring the two trains closer together.
At first, I thought I’d just distribute the Tuesday paid issue to both paid and free subscribers—but I don’t like that idea. First, it devalues what paid subscribers are, well, paying for. Second, for free subscribers, it is a bit random as there’s no context and they can’t read where I was yesterday.
Then, a suggestion: Do a more detailed free piece on one of the paid pieces that got a lot of interest. For example a more in depth write–up on Wat Saket in Bangkok (covered here). Many don’t know it used to be a burning ghat, so that could be interesting. But again context, to my mind, was a problem. Too random.
What I want to write (I think!) is an itinerary–ish kind of piece that could stand independent of the day–by–day itineraries. And without the personal: me being almost killed, or scammed by a chocolate selling maniacs or whatever.
Couchfish Diversion
So what I’ve settled on (feel free to dissuade me!) is what I’m going to call a Couchfish Diversion. It will be a side trip from the day–by–day itineraries, but in the same format. It will cover something I didn’t cover in the paid list, so I hope will appeal to both paid and free readers—who will all receive it on Tuesday at 5pm.
And, to be honest, I hope it will encourage more free subscribers to move across to the main list. Why? Well it should serve to give them a better idea of what I’m doing.
That’s the theory anyway. As with everything here, this is a Work In Progress.
So, like I say, feel free to dissuade (or encourage!) me. Likewise, suggestions on other stuff and so on are always appreciated.
Final point
When I started this, I had a concern that people would misunderstand what Couchfish was. I worried they’d think I was trying to encourage travelling in the age of CovID19.
What I’m actually trying to do however, is take travel to people who can’t travel at the moment. That being just about everyone it seems.
My concerns (so far!) have been unfounded. I’ve received some positive and at times, heartfelt feedback, and it has been beyond humbling—thank you all.
Slight 'diversionary' idea for you. What are you doing on Instagram? I think pics are a big part of the way to encourage people to subscribe. I'd be running pics of the places you 'visit' each day on your Instagram feed and encouraging people who follow you there but don't subscribe to CF to do so. I'd also set up an IFTT feed to auto post them to Twitter. I use one and it's cool. You get the Instagram pic in your twitter feed rather than just the link. Cheers! J
Hi Jeremy, yes there is a plan to get an Instagram feed attached to this. Sam suggested it as well! First will be a map (next week I think), insta after that. Realized last night I’m now writing 7 newsletters a week - that came in fast ha ha!
Hmmmm.. I love the diversions, but I can't help but think I'd love *even more* to read about them in the context of the "itinerary-ish" pieces... like, a fictional tale of travel fate... TBH as I have been reading the dailies, I keep thinking, "this all sounds way too easy... where are the stories about accidentally drinking the dish water?" (which I did once) or "Does he ever take the wrong train/bus/boat?" (like I've done more times than I care to admit) etc., etc... I guess I'm wanting some mis-adventure, if that makes sense. Because those stories are the funniest, and what makes travel so dang fun ... even if miserable in the moment. But that might be a bit harder to craft, so feel free to completely ignore my feedback, and go with your original idea, which I am still apt to read! :D
Funny you mention this, things go badly sideways (in a funny kind of way, though it WAS NOT funny at the time lol) tomorrow funnily enough—they don’t call it the Death Highway for nothing! Thanks again for your feedback. :)
Slight 'diversionary' idea for you. What are you doing on Instagram? I think pics are a big part of the way to encourage people to subscribe. I'd be running pics of the places you 'visit' each day on your Instagram feed and encouraging people who follow you there but don't subscribe to CF to do so. I'd also set up an IFTT feed to auto post them to Twitter. I use one and it's cool. You get the Instagram pic in your twitter feed rather than just the link. Cheers! J
Hi Jeremy, yes there is a plan to get an Instagram feed attached to this. Sam suggested it as well! First will be a map (next week I think), insta after that. Realized last night I’m now writing 7 newsletters a week - that came in fast ha ha!
Hmmmm.. I love the diversions, but I can't help but think I'd love *even more* to read about them in the context of the "itinerary-ish" pieces... like, a fictional tale of travel fate... TBH as I have been reading the dailies, I keep thinking, "this all sounds way too easy... where are the stories about accidentally drinking the dish water?" (which I did once) or "Does he ever take the wrong train/bus/boat?" (like I've done more times than I care to admit) etc., etc... I guess I'm wanting some mis-adventure, if that makes sense. Because those stories are the funniest, and what makes travel so dang fun ... even if miserable in the moment. But that might be a bit harder to craft, so feel free to completely ignore my feedback, and go with your original idea, which I am still apt to read! :D
Hi Adrienne,
Funny you mention this, things go badly sideways (in a funny kind of way, though it WAS NOT funny at the time lol) tomorrow funnily enough—they don’t call it the Death Highway for nothing! Thanks again for your feedback. :)