Online marketing is always a mix. It involves using tried and proven techniques that work steadily and consistently. And it also means pushing the envelope with experimental and innovative techniques that have not been worn out, but also are sometimes hit-or-miss.
Before looking at the exciting cutting-edge strategies and tactics, let us first discuss the five essential steps to ezine marketing that almost every ezine publisher needs to implement.
But don't brush these off lightly. Just because they are basic, not every e-publisher uses each one. And even fewer do it correctly.
Any technique is only as good as the way it is applied. And in most cases, you don't get a second chance. That's why it is so important to do it just right - the very first time.
In order, we'll look at the following five methods to market your ezine:
1 - ezine announcement lists and directories
2 - signature file promotions
3 - ezine article submission
4 - ezine ad swaps
5 - website sign up forms
Your first objective is to prepare an ezine announcement message and then distribute it on the various lists and directories.
In this section, you will
- Learn about the elements of an ezine announcement
- Prepare your ezine announcement message
Let's start with something simple.
Once upon a time, long long ago... (that's to say around two years ago, when the Internet was still young), there was a list announcement service called 'NEW LIST'. By just announcing their ezine on New List, ezine publishers could be
guaranteed anywhere from 50 to 500 new subscribers right away.
Alas, if only it were possible today.
Still list announcement services are useful starting points for ezine growth. Perhaps the number of subscribers you'll gain isn't remarkable. But it is easy and quick to do and brings in a burst of new ezine readers. This is good when
you're just getting started.
An added benefit is that many services archive your announcement on their website. This can bring in some new subscribers over months and years.
So let's get started with preparing your ezine list announcement message.
It's important to get this right the first time. Announcement list postings are one-time efforts. If you make mistakes, you've lost a golden opportunity to gain ezine growth.
It is not difficult. All you need to do is follow some rules. Here is what you'll include in your ezine announcement:
- a description of your ezine
- your USP
- how to request a sample issue
- testimonials from subscribers
- subscribe instructions