Never used Google Docs to create a newsletter?
I think that Google Docs seems the perfect tool to create a newsletter because It has some good features that many platforms don't have, such as:
- Grammar checking tool
- Revision History
- Voice Typing
- Live collaboration
- Possibility to add charts or graphs
At the same time you can't run a newsletter because doesn't have a send button and a membership system to manage your subscribers. Do you know some platforms that use Google Docs only as editor and then you do the rest on their website or maybe a system like you copy the content into Mailchimp or Mailerlite?
Hi @DanSan10, actually, I had the same idea. I think it might works :) for the MVP I would try to find a mailing service with a good API (Mailchimp?), and offer only content creating through Google Docs.
I am going to work to the MVP because I think It could work. I was thinking about Mailgun for the mailing service because for Mailchimp you need the user to have already an account with that.
Yes, but it saves time too. Mailchimp has subscribers management, campaign tracking, forms, etc.
You don't want to compete with Mailchimp. I would consider extending their service in the MVP and validate the idea.
Of course I don't want to compete with Mailchimp, but It requires one more step for the user to use my service. Maybe it's good for who has already a Mailchimp account. As I can see Substack uses Mailgun and Revue Sendgrid.
The most well known newsletter based on Google Docs is Not A Newsletter by Dan Oshinsky. He uses Revue to send out a link to a Google Docs document.
Considering the amazing editing features, what do you think about creating a platform like Substack or Revue but using Google Docs only as editor?? I mean not linking the document but getting the content, fixing some HTML tags and send to the subscribers.
Much as I love Google Docs, I wouldnìt see the point. Publishing a newsletter requires more than a good editor and involves maintaining an archive, managing subscribers, and more.
I mean automatically, pulling the content using the APIs provided by Google itself.
I like your idea! That makes some sense. That is right, Google Docs is a very flexible and potential tool. You may get free Google Docs Newsletter templates from professional designers here https://thegoodocs.com/freebies/newsletter-templates/. So you can start editing a template for free to build your personal brand. You'll see a range of templates to choose from, enjoy them - just choose the best for you.
Wouldn't it be easier to simply create this from scratch? I don't think you need Google Docs. There are some pretty good editors out there, I would use a templated email service (e.g. Amazon SES), and allow the user to fill in certain portions of the email with the newsletter content. Building from scratch ensures you will have max control. Also, the newsletters do not have to be very fancy, as most simply link to other content.