While there are seemingly endless ways to promote your ezine and attract new subscribers, here's a list of my top 10. So which ones are YOU using?
1. Tell your clients, associates, and friends. Send out one of your best issues (or your first issue) as a sample issue, inviting them to sign up if they like it. (Never sign anyone up without his/her permission.)
2. Put a sign-up form on your home page and every page of your website. No matter what page people land on, this way they'll know about your ezine. Don't let them click away without capturing their contact details otherwise you'll lose them forever!
3. Use a pop-under box on your site. Yes, they're irritating if abused, but I can tell you they work. Studies show pop-ups/unders can increase your ezine sign ups by up to 10 times! Give it a try and test it.
4. Offer a freebie for new subscribers. We all get so much email these days. It means that you have to work hard to get anyone's email address. Offer new subscribers a valuable free article, report, resource list, e-book, etc.
5. Offer a free sample issue on your website or have one available by email autoresponder. Some people won't sign up for anything until they can see it first.
6. Plug your ezine in your email signature. After your usual contact information at the bottom of all your emails, be sure to include a two or three line plug for your ezine.
7. Get published across the web. There are dozens of web sites that other publishers visit to pick up free content. Why not post YOUR articles there for them to use? You get free exposure and plenty of traffic back to your site.
8. Announce your ezine to all of the professional organizations and associations you're a member of. They usually allow you to make announcements in their newsletters or on their online bulletin boards.
9. Advertise your ezine on the back of your business cards. In the text, be sure to tell people how they can sign up.
10. Become active in a few online forums where your ideal readers hang out. In your posts, position yourself as a resource in your area of expertise, and include a signature file that promotes your ezine!
