Increase Your Newsletter Subscriber Base!
Copyright by Anne K. Dixon
Creating a Newsletter is not difficult, but it is time-consuming (especially increasing your subscriber base). Below we explain techniques for adding subscribers to your Online Newsletter/Ezine. We have separated the techniques in two categories: Specialized Newsletters (those which cover one topic only, like Dogs or Vitamins, etc.); and Business/Marketing/Promotion Newsletters (there are 100's and competition for subscribers is fierce!).
Specialized Newsletters/Ezines
Here is a technique to add subscribers to your specialized newsletter or ezine.
Go to the free listservers, i.e.,
http://www.egroups.com
http://www.onelist.com
(note: Onelist.com and Egroups.com have merged, and as of this writing, 12/6/99, Onelist still has a website of their own)
http://www.topica.com
http://globelists.theglobe.com
At each listserver, enter a keyword in their search function that relates to your specialized newsletter (for our example we will use "Dogs").
The search return will give you a list of all optin groups regarding your selected keyword. For instance, Egroups.com returns 260 optin email groups regarding "Dogs".
Subscribe to several groups, preferably groups with high membership, high activity, and open posting policies (you are allowed to post on topic, may answer other members questions, etc.)
Review the archives of the groups you have joined. After reviewing the archives you will have a better understanding of the type of posts that are acceptable and will be aware of the group's activity (how often members post). If there is low activity, it may not be worth your time in continuing your membership.
Begin posting On Topic -- ask questions, give comments on other posts, or create and post a short article (500 - 750 words).
ALWAYS include a Signature File (or signature line if you do not know what a Sig. File is--a whole different advertising technique!). With Specialized Lists, keep your Signature File Very Short--3/4 lines max. Here's an acceptable example:
Anne K. Dixon
Subscribe Free to "All About Dogs" Online Newsletter send blank email to: allaboutdogs-subscribe@whatever.com http://yourdomain.com
If you use a larger sig. file, you may be flamed for "advertising".
Also, Do Not post the SAME info, comments, etc. to all the lists you have joined, at the Same Time. Again, you would be at risk of being named a List Spammer and being "Flamed" (which means you will receive several complaining emails and could possibly be banned from the lists).
After posting several times to each group, you will have established your reputation as an authority on the Topic. Begin to subtley invite members to your subscribe to your newsletter.
For instance, start a sentence with "In my Free Newsletter, "Name of Your Newsletter", dated 00/00/00, I explain, etc., etc. etc."
Although this may seem a time-consuming technique, it will build your newsletter's subscription base. Plus, you will also be privy to valuable information regarding your specialized topic.
This technique may be used with Forums and News Groups as well. Always make sure you read the posting policies.
Business/Advertising/Marketing/MLM Newsletters
Building your subscriber base for your "Business/Marketing" Newsletter is more difficult. You may use the above technique, but you must find Moderated Lists (lists where your messges must be approved before being posted), that allow you to comment directly to other members' questions, post valuable information or ask questions.
Here are a few moderated Marketing Lists:
mailto:Multibusiness2000@egroups.com (post 1/week)
mailto:Duckpond@onelist.com
mailto:ajalink@onelist.com (marketing tips allowed)
Most of the "Marketing" Optin Lists at the above Free Listservers are Unmoderated and allow all types of advertising. We have a separate report regarding this type of Optin Email Advertising. You may view it at:
How to Use Free Optin Email Advertising
http://www.webwizardree.com/free/optin.html
One way to use the unmoderated lists to build a subscriber base for your newsletter is to join several and start posting a message regarding your Free Newsletter. Since advertising is allowed, you may "Advertise" to your heart's content. And of course Always use a Signature File!
The best tip we can give you is: Be persistent. A large subscriber base to your Newsletter / Ezine is valuable and attainable!
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Article by Anne K. Dixon
Dixon's Internet Consultations & Associates Copyright 1999, All Rights Reserved
AA1 Web Wizardree Innovative and Practical Web Advertising, Marketing & Promotion
http://www.webwizardree.com/
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