Getting the Word Out -
Create and Send an E-Zine

Volume VII, Issue 2
ISSN: 1547-7754
July 2009
printable version

Chris King, Editor
By subscription only, this monthly e-newsletter is loaded with short, "down and dirty" tips to help you with solving the everchanging and growing puzzle of the Internet. This e-zine serves as a place to ask your questions and find the answers. So, send me your burning questions.

Important Note! To access the books in the Right Hand margin along with the featured links, click on the printable version and they will all become live links.

I derive more joy and business from my e-zine (e-newsletter) than any other endeavor on the Internet. So for this issue, I decided to share some of my opinions about newsletters. The last E-Zine issue I wrote about e-mail is “How Effectively Do You Make Use of E-mail?” which also has some good e-mail tips.

General Decisions: Steps to Take and Plans to Make

1. What is the purpose of your newsletter? It may be a tool for keeping members of an organization up-to-date. It can be an excellent marketing tool for a group and/or business. It may serve as an information product.

2. Who are the people in your target market? The better you know the niche and demographics, the more focused your information can be to satisfy this group. Make sure that readers have opted-in and when they want to leave, they can opt-out easily without hassle.

3. What are the main topics you will address? Make them ones you are passionate about.

4. Will it be a print or electronic publication? The decision will depend upon the target audience and cost. Print involves the printer’s fees and mailing costs. Whereas electronic does involve the costs of broadcasting. Many prefer a print version that they can hold and read.

5. How often will you publish? This often depends upon whether the publication will be print or electronic. I feel that to keep in touch, your newsletter should arrive at least monthly. I have sent both weekly and monthly. Electronic versions keep in touch more often, but not too often. I receive an excellent e-newsletter daily and read it completely for its great information. However, if I receive a newsletter that comes daily and is pushing sales, I will unsubscribe.

6. Sign up for a free ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) for credibility. You will find all of the information and be able to sign up at http://www.issn.org/

General Suggestions and Truths to Keep in Mind for All Newsletters

• A well-written e-newsletter about your favorite topic(s) will establish you as an expert.
• It is a great way to build relationships. Remember, for someone to buy from you, or hire you, they must know, like and trust you. Created with that in mind, your newsletter will accomplish this.
• A newsletter is a great way to keep in touch with prospective, new and current clients, and group or organizational members on a regular basis. It serves as a reminder that you are here for them when they need you and/or your product(s).
• It is an effective way to direct market to customers. Warning note: my feeling is that it is OK to do some selling. Just don’t overdo it. I do receive one e-newsletter daily and love it because it is filled with rich and useful content. If I start getting obviously sales oriented e-mails (they don’t even qualify as e-newsletters) often, I will unsubscribe quickly.
• Make it personal, but not too personal or sappy. Let your personality shine through. And, if readers send comments and/or ask questions that you will answer, be sure to ask permission to use what they send.
• It has been established and proven that the majority of people today are seeking information - enlightening, inspiring and thought provoking. So, by making sure that you are providing this in your newsletter, they will stick with you.
• Through asking for and receiving feedback from your readers, you will get ideas for your upcoming issues. And, everyone loves to read feedback..
• You will grow your distribution (mailing) list - important for future mailings and offers. The larger your list, the more chances for Joint Venture opportunities with other marketers.
• By creating and writing on a regular basis, you will get experience that will serve you well when you are adding content to info-products.
• A regular, successful newsletter will not only provide confidence and self-esteem for you, it will also be FUN! Despite the work involved, I look forward to creating my newsletters, and always learn something new from doing it. • Love creating your publication consistently. Be passionate and have FUN! And, just Do It! You will be glad you did.
• Use some sort of incentive to spur readers to sign up. I give five or ten useful tips. Others use free reports or mini-e-courses. I also know speakers who at the end of a talk ask for those who are interested in receiving the newsletter to drop a business card in a bowl or hat.
• Subscribe to a variety of newsletters – both print and electronic. This way, you will learn what works, what you like and don’t like, and you will have a considerable basis for how to proceed. Check out the different approaches, the different formats and sizes and what makes the newsletter unique.
• Finally, I feel every newsletter should include the following: A brief introduction stating the purpose, title, date, volume and issue numbers, ISSN for credibility, subscribe and unsubscribe information, index, my complete mailing address and website addresses.

Do send your comments and questions to me at chris@creativekeys.biz. I love to receive feedback and will answer your questions in future e-zines.