Building Your Ezine Subscriber Base and Selling Ad Space by Merle
In this the last in a 3 part series on ezine publishing we turn to the nitty
gritty of finding subscribers and selling your valuable ad space.
So now you have a terrific looking ezine and interesting content but where do
you find subscribers? I was hoping you'd ask. In order to grow your subscriber
base you'll need to promote your ezine every chance you get.
The first thing you need to do is include a sign up box on each and every page
of your website and if you can, offer a free sample copy by autoresponder. To
set up a free autoresponder check out http://www.GetResponse.com
Some publishers swear by pop up boxes to increase their subscriber sign ups. If
you go this route I encourage you to opt for the kind that pop up upon exit not
upon entering, less annoying. You'll find some software to help you with this
here....http://www.codelifter.com/pop5index.html
or look at http://www.DynamicDrive.com
for some free scripts.
The next step is to get your ezine listed in as many online newsletter
directories as possible. You'll have to do your homework by searching the
engines for directories where you can add your listing for free.This is an
important step as many people look to these directories when looking for
newsletters to subscribe to. Some of them are:
http://www.Lifestylespub.com/mcp/
http://www.E-zinedirectory.com/
http://www.Webscoutlists.com/signup.epl
http://www.Ezineadsource.com/ http://www.Zineconnection.com/
http://www.Ezine-Universe.com
http://www.EzineLocater.com/ http://www.EzinesPlus.com/
Remember many of these online directories will allow you to post your ad rates
as well. A double bonus which allows you to pick up new subscribers as well as
advertisers.
Announcement lists are also good for promoting your ezine. Search at
http://groups.yahoo.com for lists that exist for the sole purpose of
announcing new lists. You'll also want to participate in online discussion
boards with a good signature line that mentions your ezine. You'll find some
great boards to post to at http://www.DiscussMarketing.com
Other great ways to grow your subscriber base include swapping ads with other
publishers and writing articles to submit to other publishers for possible
publication in their ezines. Again, a strong signature line is imperative. Try
some of these sites for swaps.
http://www.BizPromo.com/EzineTrades.htm
http://www.Ezine-Swap.com
Free Software to keep track of your swaps
Other Ezine Publishers you can swap ads with
http://www.alacarim.com/adex/
Free Directory of Ezines and other helpful Subscriptions for today's ezine
publisher http://www.FreeZineWeb.com/
The Handbook of Ezine Publishing http://www.e-zinez.com/
EP Digest offers many helpful Subscriptions http://www.EpDigest.com
After writing your own articles syndicate them
http://www.linkcounter.com/go.php?linkid=184827
Then submit your articles to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/article_announce
If you don't mind paying for opt in subscribers you can pay a small fee for
them at....World Wide Lists
http://www.linkcounter.com/go.php?linkid=184828 or try Marty Foley's
List Builder Service at http://www.linkcounter.com/go.php?linkid=184830
I've used both of the above services extensively and they're truly remarkable
for growing your list quickly. These are opt in list builders, not Spam
techniques. Make sure you know the difference.
If you're interested in a great free e-book that will teach you how to grow
your list download "Ezine List Builder"
http://www.netwoozy.com/freeebooks/ it's in PDF format.
or try this one...not free but worth the money:
"WebSite and Ezine Promotion Made Easy"
http://www.linkcounter.com/go.php?linkid=184831
Once you reach a minimum of 1,000 subscribers you'll be able to start selling
text ads. Do not include too many ads in your newsletter or you'll lose a lot
of subscribers before you even get started. You need to make sure you're
including useful content and not just a billboard of ads, or your subscribers
will be reaching for that unsubscribe button in a hurry.It's really a balancing
act, good content with a few ads mixed in.
If you can it's a smart move to start collecting demographics from the very
beginning. This will give you an idea as to the types of people that subscribe
to your ezine and will be helpful to ad buyers who will want to know what
"target market" your ezine hits. If you set up a short form asking the basics
like "sex", "age", and "occupation" and ask new subscribers to fill it in upon
subscribing you'll be amazed at how easy it is to actually collect this type of
information.
A few sites that will help you to sell your available space:
http://www.Ezines-Ads.com
http://www.Opt-Influence.com (must have 5,000 subscribers)
http://www.linkcounter.com/go.php?linkid=189476
Publishing an ezine is the most important tool you can have when it comes to
promoting your website. An opt in list of people who want to hear from you on a
regular basis is priceless and the actual process of writing your own ezine and
connecting with people is an inspiring experience in itself. It's a genuine way
of building a sense of community around your site and opening the lines of
communication between yourself and potential clients.
Don't let this marketing tool pass you by....by following the steps in this
three part series you'll be well on your way to publishing an ezine that will
pay you back in more ways than you can imagine- and that's an online marketing
tool fact.
So what are you waiting for? Get busy!
About the Author
Merle http://www.EzineAdAuction.com "Where
some of the BEST Deals in Ezine Advertising are Made" Buy & Sell Ezine Ads
in a live auction setting! Publishers sell off your excess inventory and Buyers
pick up some Fantastic bargains. Go now.
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