When you begin publishing an ezine, you find out that
there is a lot of work to producing a quality ezine.
This includes finding content, organizing ad swaps,
writing original material, attracting advertisers,
finding subscribers, and more. If you can find some
shortcuts to cut down on the workload it can help
tremendously!
I would like to share a few of my shortcuts with you.
*Using a Template
With each issue of your ezine there are some things
that will change and some things that will stay the
same. For instance, your contact information, title,
disclaimers, headers, table of contents and so on.
One way to save a LOT of time is to use the basic
template for each issue. When I start my issue for
the next week, I open the current issue, change the
date and issue number, take out the old content and
start adding the new. You also have to remember to
change the file name when you save it as your next
issue. Using this method can save you a valuable
amount of time each week.
*Organizing Ad Swaps
I have had several people ask me how to keep ad swaps
organized. I tell them how I do it and how well it works
for me. Some methods do not work for everyone. As I
confirm each ad swap via email, I print out the email
that contains the other publishers ad and I then write
the dates that the ad will run. I write them big and
in ink so they are very easy to see. I also take note
of any other details I have to remember. These papers
are all kept in their own file entitled "Ad Swaps".
Each week when I am finalizing the next issue of Web
Success, I take out the folder and all my swaps are right
there
.
*Paid Ads
I use the same method for paid ads as I do ad swaps. You
just have to make sure all dates are written on the ad
and any notes you have to make.
*Finding Content
A lot of times when I am working I will have my current
issue template open and minimized. This makes it easy
if I come across and interesting site, product, ebook
or whatever. I just copy and paste the url in my ezine
template write a short review and/or description and
then save my template in both my Web Success Ezine
folder (kept on my desktop) and my Web Success Ezine
floppy. Remember to save each change in both places.
You definitely do not want to lose all your info if you
have a crash. That happened to me once and let me tell
you, Once is Enough!! ;-) I lost all my information
and an article I had just finished! Needless to say,
I had to go through all that work all over again. Live
and learn!
* Writing Original Content
For my articles, I always keep the resource box and my
article list autoresponder address in my template. This
will save the time of opening up another folder and
having to copy and paste the resource box. I type my
article right out in my template so it is already in
place when I am finished. After I send out my ezine, I
copy the article to it's own file and add it to my
article folder. Also included in my article folder are
my list of article announcement lists, my mailing list
of editors that accept articles, my list of websites
where I submit my articles. This makes everything very
handy when article submitting time rolls around.
Another tip, save your template to folder and floppy
after each paragraph or two. This way if you crash you
only lose a small amount of info.
Also, if you have a regular editorial and you have
certain parts that remain the same, keep them in your
template. All you have to do then is add whatever is
new for each issue.
Helpful sites on ezine publishing:
http://www.pcvoyager.com/us/ezines.html
http://www.ezine-tips.com/
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/ezine-publishing.htm
http://www.websuccesscentral.com/ezinesuccess/index.html
Ezine publishing is a very detailed, time-consuming,
and sometimes tedious job. It is also a very enjoyable
and rewarding job. If you can find some shortcuts that
work well for you, it will make ezine publishing all
the more enjoyable.
Good luck with your ezine and all the best to you!
***************************************************
Terri Seymour and her husband Terry offer
a no-cost, non-MLM home business opportunity.
They strive to help you build a successful home
business. They also provide a website building
service. Take advantage of the gifts, resources &
more provided for your home and business at
http://www.seymourproducts.com FREE ecourse at:
business-building-ecourse@getresponse.com
***************************************************