Because e-zines present an easy way to
attract prospects, and
maintain contact with your Web sites visitors,
more and more
online entrepreneurs are using them as
a favored marketing
tool. Of course as their usage continues
to grow in popularity,
competition for subscribers is also multiplying
at an alarming
rate.
Most of the experts will tell you that
the best way to gain
subscribers is to submit your e-zine to
the appropriate di-
rectories and announcement lists. John
Meer's E-zine List,
<http://www.meer.net/~johnl/e-zine-list/>,
and NEW-LIST
<http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/scout/new-list>,
are probably
the most popular recommendations. You
can easily reach 50,000+
potential subscribers with these two alone.
However, with the large number of new submissions
these resources
receive on a daily basis, it's become
much harder to make your
publication stand out from the crowd.
And even with the other
e-zine directories and announcement lists
in existence, you still
need a couple of extra tactical devices
to maintain your pace
ahead of the competition.
I've recently discovered several ways to
boost your subscriber
base through associations. Associations
provide access to a very
targeted audience, and they're always
on the lookout for ways
to enhance their members lives - which
is perfect for e-zine
publishers. Here are a few of those ideas:
1) Send Press Releases to Association
Publications.
The first thing
you'll need to do is find a list of associations
where potential
subscribers might congregate. You can do this
by visiting the
American Society of Association Executives
Web site at <http://www.asaenet.org>.
This site features a
searchable directory
of associations in numerous categories.
Next, you'll either
need to visit the appropriate organizations
Web sites, or
if they're not Web-based, simply call them and
request an information
package. Either their Web site, or
information package
will give you a brief rundown of the types
of publications,
they offer to members, including editors name,
and so on.
2) Announce Your Publication
Directly to Members.
Association membership
directories can give you contact in-
formation on
hundreds, or even thousands of potential subscribers.
The cheapest
way to reach them - (without sending unsolicited
e-mail) - is
to send postcards announcing your e-zine.
Not only are postcards
inexpensive, they're read almost 100%
of the time,
unlike other forms of direct mail. And postage is
only twenty cents
per card, which means you can reach 1,000
people for only
$200.
You can get 500
full-color postcards for under $150 from almost
any local print
shop. Or try Webcards at <http://www.printing.com>
which does 500
for $95.
3) Create a Customized Version
of Your E-zine Especially For the
Associations
Members.
Associations frequently
contract with companies to offer value
added services
to their members. That's why you'll often see
them provide
health insurance, car rental discounts, and the
such, as part
of the membership package.
Perhaps your e-zine
can be included as a part of those value
added services.
Contact the coordinator of member services and
pitch your idea.
If it's chosen, each member of the organization
will instantly
be subscribed to your e-zine. You can't get a
sweeter deal
than that!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Monique Harris is the co-author of "Make
Your Knowledge Sell."
This over 1,000 page manual is packed with
info on creating, promoting
and selling your booklets, e-books, audio
tapes, newsletters, and
other information products. For more info
Click Here.
