Onboarding email to newsletter subscribers

### Current state
We have the newsletter subscription form and the popup on our websites. This captures the visitors who have already some interest in Kiwix, which is good.

However, there is no welcome or onboarding email for them, but instead we go directly into a very specific type of messaging, by Marc, straight into the deep end of the pool. It seems that there is an onboarding gap, and we could create an onboarding email to bridge that gap. It should clearly explain the value proposition of Kiwix but still maintain Marc's voice so the transition to the regular newsletter doesn't feel too drastic.

The first email they receive is currently something like this (as an example, I chose the latest content update that was sent):

Kiwix content update – issue 11

Kiwix content update

Issue 11 - quarterly-ish

This quarter, we’re leaning into something a bit lighter: play.

Turns out, many of you have been asking for game wikis, guides, and interactive content — so we delivered.

If this isn’t your thing, don’t worry, the next issue will explore a different theme : travel, prepping, your mom - possibilities are endless, but feedback helps prioritizing.
New content available for download

These links will take you to an online demo, and you can download the zim files from there or within your favourite Kiwix app.

- Rimworld: If you've spent too much time on this indie space colony management game trying to figure out killboxes, this wiki explains it all (and more). [Rim](https://browse.library.kiwix.org/#lang=eng&q=rimworld)
- Risk of Rain 2, The Binding of Isaac, Vampire Survivors, and Balatro: every monster, item and mechanic needed to survive these rogue-likes. [Rain](https://browse.library.kiwix.org/#q=risk+of+rain), [Binding](https://browse.library.kiwix.org/#lang=eng&q=binding), [Vampire](https://browse.library.kiwix.org/#lang=eng&q=vampire), [Balatro](https://browse.library.kiwix.org/#lang=eng&q=balatro)
- Bogleheads: ok, right, not really a game as investing is technically closer to gambling than actual play. Unless of course you decide to follow the late John Bogle's down-to-earth advice! [Money](https://browse.library.kiwix.org/?q=bogle#lang=eng&q=bogleheads)
- Nicky Case: a one-of-a-kind website with small games explaining game theory, and other educational animations. Very cool. [NCase](https://browse.library.kiwix.org/#lang=eng&q=case)
- Celtic scores: Saint Patrick's Day was this week, time to refresh your bagpipe and violin game with these free scores. Available in English, French, and Spanish. [Music](https://browse.library.kiwix.org/#lang=&q=breizh)

You can also browse [the full library](https://library.kiwix.org/) to see what else is out there.

Missing something? [Request it here](https://github.com/openzim/zim-requests/issues) — it's just a form, and it's how new content makes it onto the catalogue.

Need a private copy or in a hurry? Ping us at hello@kiwix.org and let's talk.
Let's Keep the Lights on, Shall We?

For many of you it is simply convenient, but for others it's access to knowledge they would not have otherwise. Kiwix is used in rural schools, prisons, refugee camps, everywhere connectivity is a luxury. No ads, no tracking, no internet required. And free.

Servers, bandwidth, developers, on the other hand, are very much not free. And so we rely on donations (from you, yes, it's your time to shine!):

- Here is a link to donate directly: [support.kiwix.org](https://support.kiwix.org/). Make it smaller but recurring if you can, it helps with predictability.
- Here is a link to donate again, but via Github sponsors: either to support the [openZIM format](https://github.com/sponsors/kiwix), or the [Kiwix reader](https://github.com/sponsors/kiwix) itself.
- You can also go to Redbubble and get very cool [T-shirts and hoodies](https://www.redbubble.com/people/kiwixoffline/shop?artistUserName=KiwixOffline&iaCode=u-clothing), [notepads and mousepads](https://www.redbubble.com/people/kiwixoffline/shop?artistUserName=kiwixoffline&iaCode=u-stationery), or the ever-popular [coffee mug](https://www.redbubble.com/people/kiwixoffline/shop?artistUserName=kiwixoffline&asc=u&iaCode=u-decor).

You don't have any money? No worries, neither do we! Simply talk about Kiwix to your friends and family or that one person who should really spend less time online.

With everyone being six degrees of separation from anyone our appeal should find its way to a generous billionaire donor and all of our problems will be solved. Or we die. Your pick.

Fixes and other updates of interest

The Hotspot OS - basically Kiwix that you can install on a Raspberry Pi so as to create your own little local offline network - is getting a revamp in the form of an admin dashboard, making it easier to set your own password, or upload your own files.

You can already test it by [picking one of the online demos](https://demo.hotspot.kiwix.org/), scrolling all the way down to the admin button, and using admin / admin-password to get to it.

[Shop now](https://get.kiwix.org/en/solutions/hotspots/)

Go get it while it's fresh, and get it before we increase prices next month (the US dollar lost 10% since January '25 and we need to make up for that).

Not us, but still cool

- The most beautiful news of 2025. Whales are (almost) back to pre-hunting levels, amongst others. [2025](https://informationisbeautiful.net/visualizations/most-beautiful-news-of-the-year/)
- Ukrainian defenders sharing photos from before and after joining the military. [Heroyam slava](https://x.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/2026408502902796717)
- Asking AI to generate a password will lead it to suggest the same thing over and over - that's because LLMs really are parrots and "generate" the most statistically likely password found in their training. [P4ssw0rds](https://pivot-to-ai.com/2026/02/19/ai-vibe-generates-the-same-random-passwords-over-and-over/)
- Having people talk to strangers for 30 minutes made them significantly happier afterwards. [Chat](https://pudding.cool/2025/06/hello-stranger/)

Ongoing work - we need your feedback

The next update should come sooner than later, but in the meantime please have a look at our new website at [www.kiwix.org](https://www.kiwix.org/) - it is big, it is beautiful, and has been a lot of work.

Rather than point and click randomly, imagine you are a new user and are looking to:

- Download the Kiwix reader that you need
- Find what kind of content is available for download.

If that's easy, tell us. It that's frustrating, tell us too. We need to know, along with any comment, idea, feedback that could cross you mind. Much appreciated.

* * *

That's it for today! Feedback is always welcome, particularly if you made it this far. Take care, and have a great day / week / quarter,

Marc.

### Suggestion for the future

We could have a specific Welcome email or Onboarding email, that welcomes the new subscriber and tells them what Kiwix is, what we do, what kind of solutions we have for them etc. As we don't know why the sought out Kiwix, it needs to target a wide audience.

It could contain:
- The hook: Acknowledge how they got here (they care about knowledge, tech or open-source).
- The "What is Kiwix?": A 30-second elevator pitch. (Offline internet/knowledge access).
- The "Why it matters": Connect it to the bigger mission (refugee camps, schools, prisons, emergency preparedness).
- The quick wins (CTA): Give them 2-3 simple, immediate actions (e.g., download the app, browse the catalog, get a content bundle).

Sample content below (by me and AI), although since I'm not a copywriter, this is just one suggestion. I believe @siemsie or @Popolechien could come up with a better one.

### Suggested Onboarding Email for Kiwix

Welcome to Kiwix (The internet, but offline)

**Preview Text / Sub Heading:** No data? No signal? Here is how to get started with our apps, archives and DIY projects.

Hey there,

Thanks for signing up! Whether you found us through an ad, clicked a popup, or stumbled onto us while looking for a way to back up human knowledge, we’re glad you’re here.

If you are already an offline-data enthusiast, welcome home. If you’re currently thinking, *"Wait, what exactly is Kiwix?"*—let’s get you up to speed real quick.

### What we do (in 30 seconds)

Kiwix is a non-profit project that allows you to download entire websites—like Wikipedia, wikiHow, TED Talks, or Medical Wikis—into a single, highly compressed file (we call them `.zim` files).

Once you download a file and a Kiwix reader, you can browse those websites completely offline. **No internet, no data, no tracking, no ads. Fully free.**

For some, it’s a convenience (long flights, camping trips). For millions of others in rural schools, prisons, and refugee camps, it is their only access to the world's knowledge.

### Choose your onboarding adventure

Depending on how deep down the rabbit hole you want to go, pick the path that fits you best:

* **📱 The Easy Way (Mobile & Desktop Apps):** Just want to look up Wikipedia or project guides on your phone or laptop without using data? Download the Kiwix reader for [Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, or Linux](https://get.kiwix.org/en/solutions/applications/kiwix-reader/) and download content directly inside the app.
* **📥 The Data Hoarder Way (ZIM Catalog):** Already have the app and just want the raw files? Browse our massive online library to download specific [ZIM content archives](https://library.kiwix.org/).
* **🛠️ The DIY Way (Kiwix Hotspot for Raspberry Pi):** Want to build your own local, offline Wi-Fi network? If you have a Raspberry Pi lying around, download our **Hotspot OS**. It turns your hardware into an offline knowledge hub that anyone nearby can connect to via local Wi-Fi. Check out the [Hotspot solutions and live demos](https://get.kiwix.org/en/solutions/hotspots/).

***

### What to expect next

Every now and then, you’ll get a content update from us (usually penned by Marc, our resident wordsmith). Expect a mix of open-source tech updates, new content releases (everything from indie game wikis to financial advice), and occasional requests to help us keep our servers running.

Glad to have you aboard,

**The Kiwix Team**

Start by reviewing the current newsletter subscription form, popup, and the example of the first email included in this issue; no implementation file or email platform is named. Confirm with maintainers where subscriber emails are managed and how they are sent. Done means an agreed welcome email is added to the onboarding flow with the stated Kiwix introduction, mission, and starter actions.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.