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 Here are 11 ways to expand your
subscriber list:
1. Use a conversational writing tone. It makes a
connection. Yet, don't get lax on the grammar and
spelling. Use personal pronouns (I, me, you and your).
Limit the percentage of I's to half or less of the you's.
2. Spread the knowledge even further by asking your
readership to forward a copy of your ezine to family
members, friends, colleagues, or co-workers. Create a
'please forward this ezine to' line or two. Give them an
incentive, offer a free but-not-free item. This can be
challenging to design.
3. Do you give presentations with slides or a projection
system? Add a paragraph about your ezine and how to get it
on the test slide. A test slide is the slide you leave up
there when they are seating themselves. Leave it displayed
until a few minutes before your presentation and then turn
it off. By turning it off, it creates a 'loss feeling' and
they will pay attention to it the next time you turn it
on.
Turn the system on with the test slide displayed and then
switch to the next slide. The next slide can explain how
they can get your free but-not-for-free product and the
directions on how to receive it. Return to this same slide
at the end of your presentation.
4. At this same presentation, pass around a clipboard
asking them if they want to register for ezine. Start
passing at the beginning or even before you start. Use a
short piece, different colored paper, with a note about
the free but-not-free item. Give them three incentives to
register at that time.
5. Send out a press release every time you have a new free
but-not-free item available. Send whenever you have new
context, new article published, or whenever anything else
occurs. Since press releases require special writing, you
might want to delegate this, especially if you are
challenged with writing from another perspective. If you
choose to learn the lingo, you can learn the how-tos with
a Google search: Search example: 'press release' and 'how
to'. Leave in the quote marks. Don't be nervous about
sending out too many, some are always missed. http://www.prweb.com/
is a great place to post your press releases.
6. Locate web sites that give out awards for outstanding
ezines. Apply and keep applying. Keep tweaking. Look at
previous winners and model. When you do win one, post it
everywhere on your site and on every issue of your ezine
for a year. Also, send out a press release when you do. If
they create a press release as well, ask to use that one.
Make copies of theirs and give it out at networking
events. Remember, you can't win the lotto unless you play.
So, get in the game, and apply. Try: http://emailuniverse.com/bestezines/
or search on Google with: 'ezine award'.
7. I'm frequently asked, 'How much information should I
ask for?' My recommendation is to KISS your subscriber
form -- 'keep it short and simple.' Ask for the e-mail
address and/or their first name. If you ask for their
first name, tell them why. Example: We like to personalize
our correspondence with our subscribers.'
8. Set up section for past issues of your e-newsletters. I
recommend just listing their main topic or name of the
article and not by date. People don't like to read things
that they consider 'old news'. If you use a pdf format to
deliver past issues there are pros and cons. The pros are:
pdf files are smaller to store and send. The con is that
you loose the opportunity for tagging the item for search
engine listing.
9. After you post your articles in the ezine, expand or
submit as is to multi-media web sites. Possibility: http://www.goarticles.com.
Locations where publishers and editors will pick up the
article. Normally, there are no fees paid, just
opportunity for visibility. When published send out a
press release. Link their site, not yours, in the press
release, Send them a copy of the release.
10. Readers are tired of not getting any value and are
dropping off lists fast. faster than ever. To keep them
there you MUST provide valuable information (their
perception not yours). The 25/75% rule (you give them 25%
and sell them the remaining 75%) is acceptable. After
reading thousands of ezines, I found many publishers don't
come close to providing that percentage.
11. Add an invitation to all your automatic e-mail
signatures. Also, mention the free but-not-free item of
the month. Include an expiration date for that free
but-not- free offer. Change the e-mail signatures weekly
to maintain interest.
Copyright, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.
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