PART 5 of a FIVE PART Series
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
When it comes to operating an affiliate business online there are few things more instrumental than an ezine. We've been talking about how important an ezine is when it comes to advertising and building relationships with subscribers for more profits.
Today, in the last part of this series we're going to be exploring some questions that are often asked in regards to publishing an ezine and the answers.
Which format should I use, HTML or plain text?
I struggled with this one for a long time. I really enjoyed the simplicity of plain text. All you had to do was open up notepad and write your issue. Sure, HTML looked flashy and cool, but it involved coding, having graphics, and templates. That's a lot of work piled up on top of everything else. Plain text was a lot more appealing to an alreay over-worked publisher.
But, the allure of how great everyone else's ezines looked was just too much. I finally tried it out. After the initial template, graphics, and set up it really wasn't that much more work. It looked good, the click thrus were going up and I was happy with my decision.
However, after the initial change wore off then there really wasn't much advantage other than I still think it's cool.
I receive both plain text and HTML ezines from all kinds of affliates and online businesses. I enjoy both there isn't one that I would put over the other in terms of design. Content sure, but design no.
HTML or plain text ezines is a personal choice. There is no one big advantage for either one. It all comes down to content. If you have that part down then the design won't make a difference.
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What is the best way to send out my ezine?
There is no other option than to get your ezine set up with an autresponder service like Aweber or GetResponse.com.
I prefer Aweber's services just because I'm a creature of habit and whoever I go with first is usually the one I stay with. But, they do provide a tremendous amount of support and make the entire process of publishing an ezine, handling subscribers, and taking the heat from Spam complaints. Once I switched from my own hosted publishing to Aweber the whole process became much simpler.
Of course, like I just mentioned you can buy special scrpits and software that you can use on your own webhost that will handle the publishing and subscribers. But, because of Spam complaints I don't recommend it.
What topic should I pulish an ezine on?
This question is asked all the time. I can see why too. Of course, people want to know the most lucrative topic available so they make the most money from it. Pretty sensible.
It's a mistake to think in terms of the "most lucrative." Whatever your website is about, then that's what your ezine is about. It doesn't really matter the topic as long as you're passionate about it. If your website is about golf, health and fitness, solar panels, antique cars, antarctic exploration, homeschooling, or any of a billion different topics you'll see profits from it. The topic you love the most is the most lucrative.
Here's why. People will know that what you're writing is real. It's coming from a passion you have and not just something you're trying to make money from.
Should I have all my content preloaded in an autoresponder or write a new issue each time?
My answer to this question is with another question. How relevant to your readers do you want to be?
I agree that it's much easier to just have a bunch of pre-written general articles loaded into your autoresponder service and sit back and watch the profits roll in. Only one problem with that. The profits don't roll in when your subscribers get tired of old, general information.
The true key to affiliate success with an ezine is to be relevant and timely. Your ezine should be seen as the foremost authority on the subject. For example, I recently subscribed to an "ezine" that was suppose to be on article marketing. Well, basically it's a set of 52 pre-written emails that, so far, contains information I already know and have known for years. Talk about bad information.
I would recommend writing all original information. A 10, 20, even 30 part email course on a particular subject is great and does lead to more profits. Just don't try to sell it as an ezine. Because it's not.
When is the best time to send out my ezine?
We already covered this in a previous installment of this series, but the question is still very prevelant. The best time to send out an ezine, in my experience, is the beginning of the week. The weekends are just too jammed with other activities that people don't get to their email. But, during the week people are more apt to check email and act on it then.
There's also another consideration to think about. Don't get publishing happy. What I mean is a few issues a month is best for effective performance. I like the 'every two week' schedule. This way subscribers aren't hit with a new issue every week and start to lag behind in reading them. Once every two weeks will provide your subscribers with great valuable content and also relieve some pressure on you as the publisher.
Ezines mean bigger affiliate checks
When it's all said and done publishing an ezine for affiliate success is a must do. If you haven't taken the step then start thinking about doing just that. If you have multiple sites, publish multiple ezines. Yes, it's a lot of work. Yes, it takes a lot of time. But, real success comes by putting in the time and doing the work. Get rich quick only lasts for a short time.
Tim Bossie is the owner of Guaranteed-Ads.com and specializes in providing quality content for affiliates and niche marketers. Check out the much sought after services today and start earning more profits quickly.
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