7 Ways to Self-Promote Within Your E-zine
We all know that an e-zine won't attract and keep subscribers
without offering insightful, practical content. If you only
drone on and on about how wonderful you and your services/
products are, your readers won't stick around for long.
But let's think about WHY you began your e-zine in the first
place. It was likely to use it as a vehicle to promote you and
your services/products, right?
You have every right to toot your own horn in your e-zine, as
long as you don't drown out the useful content your readers
are looking for.
You work hard on your e-zine, so let's make your e-zine work
FOR you!
** Here are 7 simple ideas on how to accomplish this: **
1) Make sure your MAIN ARTICLE always provides information
that your readers will find valuable.
By having a main article as the foundation of your issue,
readers will feel they got what they came for - helpful
information. Try a list of top 10 tips, a "how-to" article, a
list of resources, a review of a trend in the industry - that
sort of thing. (For a free copy of my article, "11 Quick and
Good E-Zine Content Ideas," send a blank e-mail to mailto:ali-
14285@autocontactor.com)
So remember, if your e-zine is tonight's meal, your main
article should be the entree. Any promotional info should be
your side dishes!
2) Begin each issue with an "EDITOR'S NOTE" or "PUBLISHER'S
NOTE."
I began doing this during the fall of 2001, and have found
it's the perfect place to let readers know about what's
happening with me and my business, give them a taste of my
personality, and announce any upcoming events or workshops.
Because this is a personal message from you to them, and
because it's NOT your main content, you have more leeway in
being direct and self-promotional.
3) In your article, throw in LINKS to related articles
Didn't Find What You Were Looking For?
Try a Specialized Search HERE
you've
written or been featured in, when appropriate.
Your readers will appreciate the additional information and
resources, and it's one more chance for you to demonstrate
your expertise and credibility. (See how I did this in item
no. 1?)
4) Directly after your article, give a quick PROMO BLURB,
mentioning your e-books, reports, or workshops, if you offer
them.
Why right after the article and before anything else? If
someone reads your article and says to themselves, "Gee, that
was great information!" They'll be ready to hear what else you
have to share on that subject.
A great lead-in for your blurb is: "Did You Like Today's
Article? If you did, you'll LOVE my [e-book, report, upcoming
workshop, etc.]..."
5) In each issue, offer a TESTIMONIAL from one of your clients
or customers.
I saw another e-zine publisher doing this last year and
thought, "What a great idea! She's giving her readers further
reason to try her services."
I now do this regularly for my "AKB MarCom Tips" e-zine,
Which features tips on writing "copy that sells"
(http://www.akbwriting.com). After the article and promo
blurb, I have a small section that says "What Our Clients Are
Saying." In each issue, I feature a short testimonial from one
of my copywriting clients.
6) Tell us what YOU'RE all about!
At the end of your ezine, take at least 10 lines and give a
concise description of YOU and what you have to offer your
readers.
About the Author
Marketing writer and consultant Alexandria K. Brown,
"The E-zine Queen," is author of "Boost Business With Your
Own E-zine: 209 Secrets to Planning, Writing, Publishing,
and Promoting an Online Newsletter That Gets Results."
To learn more about Alexandria's corporate writing and
consulting business, AKB & Associates, visit
http://www.akbwriting.com
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