Do you have a system set up to send reminder emails to inactive users(e.g. if they have not logged in for x days)? If you do, do you find it helps?
I do that on my forum, but so far it hasn't helped much.
When I had a forum I set it up so it emails inactive users after one month of inactivity. It helped me. Another thing that helps is when inactive users get birthday reminders from your board. It reminds them about it lol.
I find emailing rarely helpful, as most of the email accounts are bogus. But I have to follow the procedure: first a warning of inactivity, then delete the account within 10 days.
My forum has a script that emails the members once after not logging in for 30 days. And then they will get an email 90 days later. After the 90 days, the member will get an email every 3 months asking them to visit the site again.
I would much prefer a newsletter. But the one I want cost $70 and does not work with the latest version of Vbulletin - 3.8. Once the newsletter gets updated to work with VB 3.8, I might get it and send out news letters instead of reminder emails.