Internet Marketing
Tools
Part Nine Ezine List Management Basics
One of the most powerful marketing tools used on the
Internet is the ezine. An ezine, also known as an email magazine, online
publication or electronic newsletter is simply a newsletter available via
email and/or online. There are hundreds of thousands of ezines on various
subjects available on the Internet free of charge.
Publishing an ezine is a great way to build an opt-in list of potential
customers. Not only will it enable you to share your expertise, but it will
also build your credibility. Developing a trusting relationship with your
subscribers is the key to your ezine's success. You must have a sincere desire
to assist your subscribers to the best of your ability. Provide them with
helpful information that will teach and inform in regard to the subject matter.
Although offering your ezine to your subscribers free of charge may seem
to be a waste of time, you have to look at the entire picture. This publication
will enable you to have a direct line of communication with your subscribers.
Your subscribers are not just subscribers -- they're actually targeted potential
customers. When they subscribed to your publication, they were letting you
know they have an interest in your ezine's focus. This provides you with
the opportunity to advertise your products or services, and provide them
with recommendations.
Once you've developed a trusting relationship, your recommendations will
be very effective. However, you must only recommend a product or service
that you truly believe in, as your professional reputation is on the line.
If you've been marketing on the Internet, then you know it may take several
contacts with a prospective customer before closing a sale. What better way
to make those contacts. In addition, you can eventually make a nice income
selling sponsor advertising and classified ads.
If you're not publishing an ezine, you really should be. The Internet offers
a wealth of quality information and resources to assist you.
Tutorials
Learn everything you'll need to know in order to begin
publishing your ezine.
How to Publish an Ezine
http://www.thewritemarket.com/ezine.shtml
The Handbook of Ezine Publishing
http://www.e-zinez.com/handbook/index.html
A Beginner's Guide to Ezine Publishing
http://www.epdigest.com/beginner/
Ezine Tips
http://ezine-tips.com/
If you'd like a head start in writing your ezine, the following sites will
provide you with some ezine templates:
How to Use A Template to Create Your E-Zine
http://www.e-zinez.com/handbook/template.html
Ezine Success
http://www.websuccesscentral.com/ezinesuccess/part1.html
Free List Hosts
You can publish your ezine completely free. Free list
hosts will provide complete email list subscription management including
list hosting, subscribes, unsubscribes, mailings and more. They will place
a small ad within each message sent to your group. This is a small price
to pay and well worth the great service they provide.
However, keep in mind, you will not have the ability to personalize your
publication, which is a very important part of publishing a professional
publication.
Yahoo! Groups -
http://groups.yahoo.com/
Topica -
http://www.topica.com/
Smart Groups -
http://www.smartgroups.com/
Fee based mailing list hosts provide complete email list subscription management
including list hosting, subscribes, unsubscribes, mailings and more for a
fee.
Fee Based Mailing List Hosts
GetResponse
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/t.cgi?l=gr
An advanced list management system that will enable you to not only personalize
your messages, but it will also enable you to send an unlimited number of
follow-ups.
AWeber
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/t.cgi?l=aw
AWeber provides an outstanding list management system that will enable you
to take complete control over your lists. This professional list management
service provides you with all of the following:
Send HTML or text messages
Subscriber signup via email or web form
Easily import and export opt-in subscriber lists
Automatic removal links within each message
Unlimited message length
Completely personalize your messages
Advanced autoresponders with six follow-up messages
Statistics and graphs
If you'd rather take care of your own list, there are
a couple of different options:
• Use a software program that resides on your computer
• Use a script that resides on your server
Mailing List Software
Mailloop
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/t.cgi?l=ml
This program will enable you to have complete control over your lists
including:
• Automatically filters your email
• Completely run your newsletters
• Import your leads or orders into a database
• Automatically email your personalized customer database
• Send out an unlimited amount of autoresponses
• and more.
Group Mail
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/t.cgi?l=gm
Another software that will enable you to send highly professional formatted
messages that are personalized for each of your recipients. You can manage
an unlimited number of lists with an unlimited number of recipients in each
and much more.
If you're using a software program like Group Mail, you'll also need a good
form processing script to enable your visitors to subscribe:
Master Form
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/t.cgi?l=wm2
This form will enable you to have the results of your form emailed to you
or to a specified address. It can write your information to a database file
and you can even have a personalized thank you page. In addition, you can
even have multi-page forms with no limit on the number of pages.
Mailing List Scripts
Mailing list scripts will enable you to run your mailing
list completely online via your web browser.
AutoResponse Plus
http://www.web-source.net/cgi-bin/t.cgi?l=autoplus
Complete list management including unlimited lists, HTML or plain text mailings,
MySQL database, customizable auto-personalization of messages, automatic
removal links, unlimited follow-up autoresponses and more.
1-2-All Broadcast
http://www.12all.com
A complete list management system including HTML or plain text newsletters,
MySQL database, personalization features, automatic removal links and more.
Free Content
Although a quality ezine should contain some original
content, it is completely acceptable to use articles written by other
authors.
Article Announce Groups - Articles that may be freely
published delivered to your email each day.
http://www.web-source.net/articlesub.htm
Ezine Articles - Article Directory
http://ezinearticles.com/
Marketing Seek - Article and Ezine Directory
http://www.marketing-seek.com/
Idea Marketers - Article Directory
http://www.ideamarketers.com/
Author Connection - Article Directory
http://www.authorconnection.com/
Internet Wire - Offers broad, real-time dissemination of company press releases
and material news.
http://www1.internetwire.com/iwire/home
If you're not collecting your visitor's email addresses, don't wait another
day to start. Opt-in lists are one of the most powerful marketing tools on
the Internet.
Copyright © Shelley Lowery
About the Author:
Shelley Lowery is the author of the acclaimed web design course, Web Design
Mastery.
http://www.webdesignmastery.com
And, Ebook Starter - Give Your Ebooks the look and feel of a REAL book.
http://www.ebookstarter.com
Visit Web-Source.net to sign up for a complimentary subscription to Etips
and receive a copy of the acclaimed ebook, "Killer Internet Marketing
Strategies."
http://www.web-source.net
You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print,
in your ebook or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author
bylines are included.
Part Eight
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