Are You a Subscriber or An Advertiser?
or Both?
by Jim Lauraitis

 

As a publisher of an e-zine, ever wonder how many
subscribers actually read the e-zine and how many are
just advertising?

 

Let us examine these two closely and in more detail.
When you subscribe to an e-zine, is it for the advertising only?
Many do, although a small number probably actually read it for
its intended purpose.  The following is a feedback from a
subscriber to an e-zine that paid for a co-op ad.

 

"Hello. Please understand that I have no complaints re your
ezine. When I placed my ad I was subscribed to a whole slew
of ezines, not only yours, and I simply cannot handle the
volume of email anymore. You understand that this includes
not only ezine issues, but advertising as well - and that's not
including other emails that I receive. If I have to wade through
a gigantic flood every day, I'll never get anything else done!
However, I do plan to resubscribe under a separate email
account in the near future".

 

"Buyer beware" is the old saying.  If you are placing a paid ad
in a co-op, then you are subscribing to a multitude of e-zines.
So now what do you do?  You are shocked to receive 30 plus
e-zines in your e-mails?  No you should not be.  You then
unsubscribe to the e-zines, only to find that your ad will not run. 
Now you are stuck until your ad runs. Then you unsubscribe.
A vicious cycle, both for the advertiser and the Publisher.
 Is there an alternative?

 

Yes.  Why not spend about an hour and go through the e-zines
and look at the content.  Yes I said Content.  Sort out the
e-zines that offer you some good insight to your specific
business.  Some of these may actually offer FREE ads for
subscribers.  Others have time-saving articles for online
promotion.  Others offer solo ads to a great number of
subscribers.  Others offer site submissions, ad submissions
and more. Others offer affiliate programs to help you make
some money as well as advertise.

 

Ask Yourself "Do you want to do business with some site you
pulled up off the web, or e-zine publishers, who know how to
market?"  If you are a regular subscriber over time you are not
a stranger.

 

If you are going to succeed online, you need a good base of
references.  Your E-zines are as good source for marketing
tips and promotions.  Thus the Subscriber has the benefit of
not only advertising, but also of having valuable resources at
one's disposal.

 

The important point is to be consistent in your advertising
efforts, and that means also being a consistent reader of the
content of e-zines and all available resources.
So take the time to investigate the e-zines in your co-op that
you paid an ad for. Publishers like loyal subscribers as well as
consistent advertisers.  Then choose wisely, but look and learn
as well.
****************************************************************
Jim Lauraitis is the publisher of Whats New Review for internet
marketers, offering time saving tips and resources for your
online needs. You may reach him at
info.@wtc-netservices.com or subscribe to his newsletter at
info.Sub@wtc-netservices.com  copyright@2002