by Monique Harris
Because e-zines present an easy way to attract prospects,
and maintain contact with your Web sites visitors, more and more online
entrepreneurs are using them as a favored marketing tool. Of course as their
usage continues to grow in popularity, competition for subscribers is also
multiplying at an alarming rate.
Most of the experts will tell you that
the best way to gain subscribers is to submit your e-zine to the appropriate
di-
rectories and announcement lists. John Meer's E-zine List, http://www.meer.net/~johnl/e-zine-list/,
and NEW-LIST
http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/scout/new-list,
are probably the most popular recommendations. You can easily reach
50,000+
potential subscribers with these two alone.
However, with the
large number of new submissions these resources receive on a daily basis, it's
become much harder to make your publication stand out from the crowd. And even
with the other e-zine directories and announcement lists in existence, you still
need a couple of extra tactical devices to maintain your pace ahead of the
competition.
I've recently discovered several ways to boost your
subscriber base through associations. Associations provide access to a very
targeted audience, and they're always on the lookout for ways to enhance their
members lives - which is perfect for e-zine publishers. Here are a few of those
ideas:
1) Send Press Releases to Association Publications.
The
first thing you'll need to do is find a list of associations where potential
subscribers might congregate. You can do this by visiting the American Society
of Association Executives Web site at http://www.asaenet.org. This site features a searchable directory of associations in numerous categories.
Next,
you'll either need to visit the appropriate organizations Web sites, or if
they're not Web-based, simply call them and request an information package.
Either their Web site, or information package will give you a brief rundown of
the types of publications, they offer to members, including editors name, and so
on.
2) Announce Your Publication Directly to Members.
Association
membership directories can give you contact information on hundreds, or even
thousands of potential subscribers. The cheapest way to reach them - (without
sending unsolicited e-mail) - is to send postcards announcing your
e-zine.
Not only are postcards inexpensive, they're read almost 100% of
the time, unlike other forms of direct mail. And postage is only twenty cents
per card, which means you can reach 1,000 people for only $200.
You can
get 500 full-color postcards for under $150 from almost any local print shop. Or
try Webcards at
http://www.printing.com which does 500 for
$95.
3) Create a Customized Version of Your E-zine Especially For the
Associations Members.
Associations frequently contract with companies to
offer value added services to their members. That's why you'll often see them
provide health insurance, car rental discounts, and the such, as part of the
membership package.
Perhaps your e-zine
can be included as a part of those value added services. Contact the coordinator
of member services and pitch your idea. If it's chosen, each member of the
organization will instantly be subscribed to your e-zine. You can't get a
sweeter deal than that!
