I've never marketed on ezines before, but heard it can be a great way to get targeted traffic and sales. I'd like to hear suggestions, get links to some of the best resources on this, and hear your experiences on marketing on ezines. I have experience on other forms of internet marketing, but none on ezines. Here's a reply from another thread that I got. Ok, I'm very interested in this, but I don't have $297 to put on something based only on my interest. I'd like to start with something a bit cheaper. Where to start? Also, I'm a bit lost with all the different options on the other page... Could you define 'classified ad', 'solo ad', and 'submission to ezine editors'. Which would I use and for what purpose? Also, are there any free ways for a beginner to submit articles to ezine editors, and how?
OK first an overview of ezine marketing and then the terminology: *Ezine Marketing* Imagine that you do some form of marketing on the web AND in the process, you collect opt-ins (name and email address, including permission to email them again). Over a period of time you build up a list of people interested in your topic. [Side Note] No list owner can be successful if they don't stick to a specific topic that their readers are innterested in adn joiuned the list for. So stay on-topic. That's common sense. The second point that many newbies miss (and think email marketing doesn't work) is that you must keep your list "warm". You cannot just collect opt-ins and not contact them until one day you have somethig to say to them. They forget you and their own opt-in within a week or may two maximu. If you mail them after two or three weeks from their opt-in some people will accuse of spam to your ISP! Over time, these complaints build up as your list build up. You must send one confirmation email imeditaely after their opt-in and preferably include some valuable info too. Then send them another email no later than 3 days. In both emails tell them when to expect emails form you and stick to that like your life depends on it. After that email them no more than once every day and no less than once every 2 weeks. [End of Side Note] OK now yo know the above ... there people who have built up their lists over time by offering their readers enticing information and offers. They regularly email their lists. This regular email is also known as an ezine (electronic magazine) or newsletter. So when you are asked to consider marketing via ezines, you are being asked to appraoch those list owners that are focused in your niche. These list owners provide info to their lists but also from tiem to time send marketing offers too. All subscribers know that the list owners also need to make money and pay their bills (as long as they don't over do it). Marketing stats show that prospoects become customers (they buy) after around 7 contacts or touch points from you. That means on average they need around 7 exposures to you. This 'pipeline' can be cut short if someone they trust recommends you. Typically when an ezine publisher sends a mailing and mentions you or sneds your article to his subscribers, they buy form you without the 7 contacts or with a lot less. This is becuase the ezine publisher has kept thme warm and fuzzy and they trust the publisher. This is why marketing via ezines is effective. You can appraoch the publisher in several ways: 1- Offer good info and include a special discount only to his subscribers. 2- Pay to have your article sent to the publisher's subscribers. You must keep to his guidelines. Always do a deal for at lkeast 2 or better still 3 mailings. Remember the exposure issue above. 3- Do a joint venture with the publisher. They charge you nothing will send your article with their own "voice". You share the income with them. 50% - 75% is fair for electronic downloadable products. 30% - 50% for your publisher is good, for physical products that YOU have to ship out. Note: (a) Agree whether you share the profits or sales, etc. Put everythinng down in writing so there are no misunderstandings. (b) It is not the income from this first sale that matters. Rather, the life time value of the customer who has proven that they are prepared to spend money with YOU. YOu can go on selling to them for many years to come. So be genrous with your revenue share. The mnore you can afford the more eager and the more times the publisher will push your product. Finally for this section - TRACK, TRACK TRACK, the sales. If the sales conversion is good stick with this publisher. Offer them eevn greater % for your next product. Make them your best sales person ever. Give and you shall receive. * Terminology * - 'classified ad' This is like the ads in the back of the local newspaper. Looks like a Goolgle Adwords ad but is classified (catgorised). So in the context of an ezine, you could pay an ezine publisher to put an ad like this at the top, middle or bottom of their email: ************** Grab your free copy of a special report detailing <your topic> from <your URL to your optin form> Note: Limited Availbility until ... Go there now: <your URL to your optin form> ************** - 'solo ad' Option 2 above is basically a Solo ad. A classified ad can be included with other classified ads in the same ezine edition. Also it is inlcued with someone else's article, so the credibility of the article doesn't rub off on you. A solo ad on the other hand is one of your best articles and just like an article you submot to a directory you put a subtle but effective message in the bottom. But in the case of a solo ad, you are allowed to promote your own product and you are allowed to put call to actions in the body. And very importantly you are allowed use "cliffhangers" ... that is you write something informative and provide good info but not ALL the good info. And you tell the reader they cna read the rest or part 2 or the details on your site. Imagine me breaking this (huge) post into terminology first and then tell the readers they can read my secret strategies on my site, free of charge. I'm not doing that but you can see the pulling power. YOu can do that with solos but not with article marketing. Note: always read the publishers terms. They are all different form each other. - 'submission to ezine editors' You find the suitabole exines first, see below. Check their website and find their terms. Then approach the editors the way they have stated in their tems. Some wnat you to do it in a specific format but in one go. Others wnat you to do it in stages, ege provide your details, then after they check out your site etc they reply and ask for you article or ad etc. * Finding Ezines Is Easy * First DO check out the website I mentioned. The have much cheaper short terms rates and I think they have a 30 day trial too. Second, regardless of the above, you must do your due dilligence. Always join an ezine and receive a few mailings to make sure their style or content don't devalue your product or reputation. Third, google something like "<your niche or main keyword> ezine". Find some ezines and join as per the previous point. But then without stats, you will have to ask the editor for the stats but check out their site first and don't bother them if the info is already there. Otherwise you will look like a lazy and ignorant marketer - not a good start with someone who could get yo a ton of sales. Fourth, you could do a search for "ezine directory" and find some that are free. I know you will find them otherwise I would have pulled the names from my library. But this post is already huge. I hope the above helps you and a few others too. Good luck and stay the course. Samo
Hey Geomark I'm delighted to read that my info may have been useful for you. Many thanks. Your kindness is much appreciated. Samo
Excellent information, thanks. I'll have to digest it, and try some of the things out. After that I might have some more questions, and ideas about it.
Sutocu, you're very welcome. And sure ask any time. By the way, a few people have PMed me and asked further questions to do with ezine marketing and the process of monetizing your traffic and online efforts. As you can see from my writing style, I don't like giving one line responses that create more questions than they answer. So, in order to keep up with all the question I'll start a new thread by Sunday and answer some of these questions and provide more info. I'll post hte link to that thread here just in case anyone wants to see that info. Keep well and stay the course Samo
Here are a few directories of ezines: http://www.bestezines.com/ http://new-list.com/ http://www.ezinesearch.com/search-it/ezine/ http://www.listopt.com/ http://www.ezinelocater.com/ Other sites related, if you want to send some solos, ads...: http://www.ezines-r-us.com/targeted-solo-ads/ http://www.ezinead.net http://www.mywizardads.com/ http://www.admistress.com/index.html http://www.responsive-advertising.com/index.html Hope this helps.
there're load of article sites out there, but some people say submission to a few good sites is all it takes... correct me if i'm wrong