Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Use E-Zines to Expand Your Business

According to Wikipedia, an e-zine is a “periodic publication distributed by e-mail or posted on a website. E-zines are typically tightly focused on a subject area.” Just to immediately clear up the pronunciation issue, e-zine is most widely pronounced like “ee-zeen” rather than “ee-zyne or ee-zign.”

It is widely believed that e-zines have been around since the 1980’s, but really gained wide-spread attention in the mid 1990’s. Quite simply, an e-zine is just an online newsletter. You can use it to provide valuable information, thus establishing yourself as an authority and also giving you the welcomed opportunity to present your network marketing business.

If you are serious about using E-zines to promote your business, then we highly recommend that you use Charlie Page’s Directory of E-zines. You can find this by clicking HERE (link to http://www.realworldtactics.com/cmd.php?af=742346). You can also visit http://www.e-zine-list.com and search for mlm, network marketing, or home business, to find other e-zines.

There are two ways to use e-zines to market your business– you can write content for other e-zines or publish your own. If you enjoy writing and time allows, do both. If not, your best results will come from writing for other e-zines, as they have already created the readership.

If you want to publish your own, the key is to find a niche – something that isn’t covered or at least not widely covered. Next, send your e-zine out weekly, as it will keep your name and information in front of people, creating front of the mind awareness. Don’t use the e-zine to purely promote, rather use it to inform and create a reputation as an authority. You can include advertising after the information in your e-mails. If you want to see an example of this, go to www.RodNichols.com and click on Newsletters. There you will find a free network marketing E-zine that will show you how to do this.

If you’re not really a writer, you can hire a ghost writer. E-mail me at Rod@RodNichols.com for rates on writing articles you can post on web sites and submit to e-zines or send out to your own e-zine list.

Some e-zines also offer advertising. If you have a budget, you might consider doing this. With this type of ad, you need a great attention grabbing headline and then 3 or 4 benefits (what’s in it for them?). Show them the pain and how to get rid of it and you’ll have plenty of people responding. Placement of ads is critical. Only go with ads that are placed at the top of an e-zine. Better yet are solo ads.

If you are considering advertising on e-zines, contact the owner and ask the following questions: How many subscribers? How many new subscribers per month? How many mailings per month? Do they have advertiser testimonies? Is there an advertiser waiting list? (this is actually a good sign) Will the owner give you an endorsement?

Here are some things to look for in a good e-zine:

1. Mailing to your target market (people interested in network marketing, mlm, home business, making money, etc.).

2. Issues are packed with great information and value for the reader.

3. There are long-term subscribers and testimonies from subscribers.

4. The e-zine looks up-to-date, organized, and easy to read.

5. The subscription process is simple.

6. They don’t send out more than 2 e-mails a week.

Also, don’t be afraid to negotiate. It never hurts to ask for a free month or a lower cost for a longer term commitment.

Many top network marketing income earners have added to their massive networks through e-zine articles and/or advertising and so can you. It just takes time and commitment.

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