The first thing to do is know your subject. If you have to research to get good, fresh content, do it. If you have to research offline, DO IT! Actually, you can generally find more “unused” content offline than you can online, because most articles and information on the web is rehashed crap from other sites and articles. The key to great content is to provide the reader with things they haven’t heard or thought of before.

Offline? Come on, no way!

Yes way. The true value still lies within the brick and mortar library. Granted, if your list is about something completely brand new, you probably won’t find it in the library, but pretty much every other subject that dates back more than a year or so has found its way into a library, and you can research it there. So get out of your house (how long has it been since you left your computer room, anyhow?) and get down to the library to do some digging. If you forget how to use one (it’s nothing to be ashamed of, I did too) the librarians will be more than happy to help you out. If you’re a smooth talker, you may be able to talk them into helping you find the books you need to do your research!

The next best way to come up with new ideas and keep your list happy is to ask them what they want. Invite them to post questions to your website, or email you with them (careful with this one, large lists with a lot of activity will kill your email account) and you’ll have enough topics for God knows how long. And each answer will be more personal than just a “This is what I feel like telling you” newsletter, because someone on the list asked that question. I suggest using the name of the person who asked the question in the newsletter, but make sure you ask them for permission before you do.