I used to do all of the above in the I.M. industry, but like Mary I was getting caught-up in the "more money" aspect of the business. What I do now is sell custom websites and only paid members are on one of my two lists. The first list is updates to the websites and the only offers in the emails are directed to a members only page. The second list is also only for paid members that receive one-on-one coaching. Myself, I give nothing away for free. I do giveaway free brandable reports in the membership site, but only those that other marketers pay me to add to my membership site. And even then, the reports must pass my quality assurance standards - no cheap material - ever.
At some point I suggest that my clients stop sending out free newsletters and only sell the newsletters. This usually occurs when they reach 2,000 subs that have already paid for a product or service. The bottom line is.. it takes as much effort (expense included) to giveaway a product or service as it does to sell a product or service.
Free newsletters are a great way to get started and build a list. The real business end of a free newsletter is to convert the free subs to paid subs. Never forget that if you want to build an online business with a list providing information. Information can only go so far with a large percentage of your subs be they free or paid subs.
People (subs) do not always understand the online business and those that do not "get it" eventually stop responding to your marketing efforts, suggestions, advise, instructions, etc. for a number of different personal reasons. For those subs the only way to retain them as paid subs is to sell a product of your own or an affiliate product that you are an expert on and will maintain for the sub.
Free newsletters, free reports, free services and everything related to "free" is a conduit to your income and it is all good as long as the end result is a conduit to "Paid" information, products, and services.
Almost all work-at-home businesses start with five plans:
1. A short term business plan.
2. A long term business plan.
3. A backup business plan to change everything in the blink of an internet eye.
4. A support plan for when people start paying you- you have to be prepared to support them.
5. A plan of personal or company reputation.
Do a little research and you will find The 5 Plans are part of a marketing method called Gorilla Marketing. The concept is you can be a 100 pound Gorilla - go forward without a plan - and be stomped by a 1,000 pound Gorilla that has a plan.
That is what you are really asking for.. A plan and how to do it successfully.. with real content from a real person (no newsletters with zillions of offers and fluff).. all the way to the end.. all the way to the bank.
Without sounding condescending (Mary knows I am not that way) you are asking some of the right questions, but not all of the right questions.
I know Mary and JP. They shoot straight and do all the right things. Keep on em
Jeffery 100% :-)