It's your masterpiece.

You've worked hard to put together an informative and
interesting newsletter. Your current subscribers often
write to tell you how much they enjoy it. So why are you
having so many problems getting new subscribers?

The fact of the matter is, there are countless free
newsletters available to anyone who wishes to receive
them ... so unfortunately for ezine editors, "free" isn't
enough to draw people to you.

Here are a few suggestions to help you build your list ...


__1. BE CONSISTENT.

Marketing your newsletter is the only way you're going to
find new subscribers. You need to first let people know
that your newsletter is available ... then persuade them
that you have something unique and valuable to offer.
Come up with an informative description that stresses
the benefits of subscribing, and then start promoting.
Some ways to promote your ezine include:

= Submit to ezine directories

= Use announcement lists

= Promote your ezine in your sig file

= Write articles and leave a link to your ezine in your
resource box

= Put a signup box on every page of your website

= Experiment with pop-up subscription boxes

= Propose ezine co-opts with other editors: you can
promote your newsletters together for extra exposure

= Include subscription links within your eBooks or
reports.


__2. CONSIDER PAY-PER-SUBSCRIBER SERVICES.

No doubt you've heard the phrase, "Time is money".
Marketing takes a lot of time. More and more, editors are
turning to pay-per-subscriber services to help them grow
their newsletters. An example of one such service is
FunEzines.com.

These services charge you for each subscriber they find
for you. I've seen prices ranging from an affordable $0.10
per subscriber to a whopping $0.85! Shop around. These
services will usually charge you more if you use the
double opt-in method than if you use single opt-in.

Reasons why you might choose to use these services include:

= Not enough website traffic to get a steady stream of new
subscribers.

= Not enough time to spend marketing - or a lack of desire
to spend the time necessary to promote your ezine.

= Desire to build your subscription base as quickly as
possible.


__3. DON'T BE SHY - INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

One of the big advantages of having your own newsletter is
the leverage it gives you with other editors.

Don't be shy. Approach other editors in your niche market
and offer to swap ads or run other joint ventures. This
is a great way to increase your exposure without paying
any out-of-pocket expenses.

Remember that editors are busy people, just like you.
Make it easy by providing them with all the information
they need to make a decision ...

= Address the editor by name, if at all possible.
Mention his or her ezine name. Personalized email
is always appreciated.

= Introduce yourself and your ezine. Tell the editor
key pieces of information, such as the ezine's focus
and circulation.

= Tell him or her what type of joint venture you have
in mind. Let her know how it will benefit her.

= If you are proposing an ad swap, include your ad for
her convenience.

= If the editor agrees to your proposal, let him know
when his ad will run in your ezine.


__4. BE YOURSELF.

You've already made the effort to get subscribers ...
now make the effort to keep them! There are thousands
upon thousands of free newsletters available ... what
makes YOURS different?

Let's face it: great content is vital to the success of
your ezine ... but by itself, it isn't enough. There are
plenty of editors who consistently turn out a high-quality,
content-rich ezine.

What helps to differentiate one newsletter from another is
the editor. If you inject your own unique personality into
your ezine, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at how
much your subscribers will appreciate it. I have many
loyal subscribers who tell me that they like how I come
across as a "real person".


Publishing a newsletter can be very profitable. Stick with
it and you'll reap the rewards!

_____

Angela is the editor of Online Business Basics, an exclusive
newsletter for eBusiness beginners. OBB features ongoing
tutorials on how to build a profitable Internet business
on a shoestring budget. You don't need a million-dollar
budget to be successful! Find out how you too can join
the thousands quietly earning a living online:
http://www.onlinebusinessbasics.com/article.html