The following is taken from Get Paid University.

An easy way to start your subscribe list is with people you already know. To turn your current contacts into newsletter sub- scribers, don’t just dump all your contacts into your newsletter database. This is a huge mistake – I hate it when people assume I want to receive their newsletter just because I know them, and don’t give me the option to subscribe. Don’t you? You want people to opt in – you want their permission. So, here’s are two sample sample emails that you can send to your current con- tacts two days apart.

By doing this, you email people twice and that’s it. It’s a great way to share what you’re up to and to ask for help without spamming your friends.