In today's technological landscape, the email newsletter is a valuable asset, according to Mathew Ingram at Gigaom. Readers can use them to help filter their news, bringing the most relevant news to their attention and saving them time.

Citing the work of Harvard's Clay Christensen, Ingram notes that many readers look to absorb just enough news to enable them to make intelligent conversation at a gathering. Email newsletters can provide that level of information.

The most successful newsletters are targeted on one very specific topic, Ingram says, and they use a personal touch.

Many newsletter services offer newsletter tools for smaller publishers. Mailchimp offers a service that is free for up to 2,000 recipientsmembers. Tinyletter offers a simpler option for those who don't need many advanced features. Constant Contact is a popular paid service offering several features, including a range of email templates, a system for organizing contacts, and analytics. 

Read more from Gigaom.