Back to the basics

8

When I started this blog last September my intention was to give step by step easy instructions showing how to travel for free.  I wanted to share what I’ve learned with family and friends, but I realized that this stuff was a bit too complicated for a single email, a single Facebook post, or a couple of conversations.  By creating a blog, I thought, I could tell people about my hobby and point them to my blog if they were interested in learning more.  That was the idea anyway.

This blog has turned out very different from what I had planned.  Instead of writing about how to get started, I’ve focused on schemes that go beyond the basics – sometimes way beyond the basics.  Most of my posts have been about how to get lots of points and miles through gift card churning, shopping, and more.  This is the stuff that interests me and so this is what I’ve blogged about.  And, this is what I will continue to blog about because I love it!

So, what about readers who don’t know the basics?  How can my friends, family, and other newcomers get involved?  Instead of cluttering my blog, I’ve decided to start an email newsletter/club thing (which needs a better name, obviously).  The idea is that anyone who is interested can simply enter their email address here and they’ll receive weekly emails that start with the most basic tips and progress from there.  I’m using a cool service that will (hopefully) automatically send the emails at the right time and in the right order.  For example, suppose a person joins the list after I’ve already sent out a number of weekly emails.  That person will receive the week 1 email right away, and then a week later they’ll get the week 2 email, and so on.

But that’s not all!  If you act now, you’ll also receive these Ginsu knives!  In my daily blog posts I shy away from repeating news that other bloggers are already covering unless I have something unique to contribute.  I figure that most of my readers also read other bloggers and so they are aware of the latest miles and points related news.  Unfortunately, that approach leaves out those readers who read only Frequent Miler (hello mom!).  So, for anyone who signs up for the weekly newsletter/club thing, I’ll also send out informal breaking news now and then.  I imagine that I’ll often simply link to another blogger’s post, but this way at least my mom subscribers will know what’s going on.

I expect to start the newsletter/club thingy in mid April, but the signup form is available now.  Sign up here if you’re interested.

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8 Comments
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Natalie

Thanks so much – I signed up! I’ve been reading a lot about points and travel, but there is so much I don’t quite understand.

Jenny

Awesome idea! Thanks!

aadvantagegeek

What a great idea!

Rapid Travel Chai

Excellent idea, I have many friends who do not have the appetite to keep up with the blogs and forums that will love a weekly newsletter to get them going.

Daniel G

After reading the title and first few sentences, I got a little worried but am glad to see you will continue to blog about the stuff that has brought me here. You’re blog is my favorite because you don’t talk about the same exact thing every other single blogger has talked about. Anyone can tell you to sign up for a credit card and provide a link, but I like that you focus on maximizing your points by using your current cards. Keep up the great work.

gpapadop

I will take them Ginsu knives, thank you!

You have created a pretty good niche in this space with your shopping related “schemes”. I say stick to it. I don’t want to come here and read that the Chase Sapphire card is down to 40k and that now Citibank may now allow thank you pts to be transferred to BA after all (at least not yet).

Not sure about the email list…Can’t you just create a tab on top of your blog website? We already get enough email you know.

It always comes down to…Content, content, content.

And credit card referral links, credit card referral links, credit card referral links:-)

HoKo

So glad to hear about this solution. The main reason I read this blog and find it valuable is b/c it operates at a much higher level of detail and complexity than the other major travel/miles bloggers. Keep up the good work!

Ollie

This is great! I’m sending it to lots of friends and relatives who could use the basic information.