If this dealership in the cartoon would have created a newsletter with an OPT-IN, or double opt-in list, and mail it once a month - like they promised from the inception of the idea to create an email newsletter - they would not be struggling. It's also about providing good content, not about "getting people in". I've seen lots of "email blasts" go out, and most never create more than a lot of "send to spam" clicks. This is why a blog is so important, and why it could replace an email newsletter with RSS feeds.