10 Reasons to Provide an Ezine

Why do people search the web? There are obviously many reasons, but from our point of view, they are looking for information. As an information provider, your task is to provide that information and become a reputable, trusted resource. So how do you get noticed? By marketing your website.

What is an Ezine?

An ezine (a.k.a. e-zine, email newsletter, e-mail newsletter, or e-newsletter) is a newsletter which is delivered via email that your visitors can subscribe or opt-in to.

Reason 1

Establish Yourself As a Trusted Expert and Improve Page Rank

• People searching online for information are looking for a subject matter expert. This is your opportunity for internet network marketing. Every week (or whatever schedule works best for you) create ezine articles. This provides constant contact with clients/customers and establishes you as a trusted expert, it will also improve page rank for your site with the search engines. This is an opportunity to build a network marketing strategy, while reinforcing your brand.

Reason 2

Develop a Relationship, Build A List, Provide Tips

• People like to buy from people they like and trust. By using ezine publishing and ezine promotion to connect with readers in their homes and offices, you can develop a relationship of familiarity and trust. Be sure to share a little about yourself or your company in every issue, whether it is an anecdote, event, or employee spotlight. Don’t forget, one of your aims is to build a list of clients to whom you can provide email newsletter tips, your company newsletter or a business ezine even.

Reason 3

Keep in Touch With Prospects and Clients – Improve Google Ranking

• Consider eventually developing two ezines, one for prospects and one for clients, as each require different information. This is a great way to notify your readers of weekly specials or upcoming product launches, offer new articles or customer stories, and provide links to the company newsletter, FAQs, blogs and squeeze pages. Providing excellent content for your readers will also improve Google ranking for your site, an added bonus.
• Let your ezine subscribers work for you. Remind your readers to forward your newsletter to their friends and colleagues.
• An autoresponder such as those provided by GetResponse or AWeber is all that’s required for a fully automated email system. Include sign-up instructions for those who received your ezine from viral marketing methods. A simple line entitled, “Get Your Own Copy of XXXXXX”, with a link to your squeeze or opt-in page is all it takes!

Reason 4

Drive Traffic to Your Website or Blog

• As noted in #3, remember to call attention to new blog posts or other changes to your website with links directly to those pages. Remind readers of your online newsletter archives. Promote special sales (maybe with discount coupon codes only for subscribers). Don’t forget to link to the sales page. Use links to turn your ezines and newsletters into “silent salespersons”– driving traffic to your website and building your lists around the clock.

Reason 5

Build Quality Content On Your Website

• Make a habit to adding your ezines and newsletters to your website in an archive area. This serves a several important purposes:
• Visitors can read an issue or two to determine if your ezine will be of interest to them, which could help to increase sign-ups and potential sales.
• If you optimize your article placements, you will not only make your website “meatier”, but you’ll also bring new traffic from the search engines.

Reason 6

Get Feedback From Your Readers

• Get feedback from your readers, encourage them to make comments on your articles. Make it easy for you to stay in touch with prospects and customers and vice versa. Conduct polls and surveys. Start a “Letters to the Editor” column in your ezine. Feedback allows you to fine tune your messages, target your marketing, and expand your product line. It’s also great for relationship building!

Reason 7

Develop an Information Product

• If you deliver your newsletter once a week and include two articles, at the end of a year you’ll have 104 well-researched articles in your portfolio! Pick the best-of-the-best and turn them into a bonus ebook for opting-in to your list, submit to download sites to build your list, or sell in PDF-format!
• Provide a membership forum using software such as Wishlist Member and provide member only information products relating to your chosen niche.

Reason 8

Grow Your Mailing List , Create Email Campaigns

• Let your ezine subscribers work for you. Remind your readers to forward your newsletter to their friends and colleagues.
• An autoresponder such as those provided by GetResponse or AWeber is all that’s required for a fully automated email system. Include sign-up instructions for those who received your ezine from viral marketing methods. A simple line entitled, “Get Your Own Copy of XXXXXX”, with a link to your squeeze or opt-in page is all it takes!

Reason 9

Gather Demographic Data

• By offering surveys, feedback forms, and niche reports, you’ll be able to get valuable information about your prospects and customers. Learn what makes your readers tick, how to better serve them, and how to give them what they want. Make sure they become repeat customers!

Reason 10

Save Money! Get Free Marketing, Free Email, Free Publishing

• All of the above benefits of publishing an ezine are free or almost free. The small cost of a top-rated ezine publishing system is nothing compared to the cost of brochures, business cards, advertising, direct mail, pay-per-click or other means of promotion. Also, because your newsletter is delivered online, you can grow your list to be as large as you want without worrying about the expense. Bottom line ? it’s proven that email marketing is the most cost-effective marketing solution for companies just like yours!

Conclusion

The advice given above is crucial if you want to create a membership site such as Wishlist Member or email marketing list (you’ve heard the saying – the monies in the list). Well, I hope you found something useful and enjoyed this session, please don’t forget to let me have your thoughts on this item. See you soon.