There is an interesting phenomenon that should really give you
some insight as to what you should be doing in terms of
promotion.
As an ezine publisher, I really believe I get to see everything.
No, I don't know everything, but I do get exposed to everything.
I've noticed a funny thing, however. The Internet is full of
"how to promote" manuals, ebooks, reports, programs, email
courses, and sites. Often times, I meet up with people that are
selling these 'how to promote' items, and guess what it is a lot
of them ask me?
That's right, how to promote! How do they get more traffic? What
do I think is the best form of promotion?
Now that's ok, I'm not complaining, but can you see a couple of
conclusions that might be drawn from this occurrence?
One, apparently none of these 'how to promote' items have all
the answers, and two, ezines are the answer. That's right,
eventually everything and everyone comes to the ezines.
Where do you see ads for buying guaranteed visitors? In ezines,
right? Now if those places could get all the visitors they
wanted from their own guaranteed visitor service, would they be
advertising in ezines?
What about search engines? Where do people learn more about
using the search engines? In ezines, right? And even when you
find a site through a search engine, what do all the successful
marketers have on their sites? That's right, a subscription box
for their ezine or newsletter.
Basically, the formula for successful promotion is one, get an
email address then refer the person to your site, OR get them to
your site and then ask for an email address.
Now, what's the best way to get someone on your email list?
Offer them something of value, right?
Ok, so what valuable items can you offer that will give you the
best repeat contact? Free ebooks give you only one contact with
a person. Sending them a free report or auto responder course
gets you 1 to maybe 12 contacts with them. Now, how long can you
stay in contact if they opt in to your ezine? Sure there is the
unsubscribe option, but until that is taken contact is
unlimited, right?
Now, what about effectiveness in promotion? The best way to
promote your business is to get it mentioned in front of people
that are actually reading. Now, I know not everybody reads my
ezine every time they get it, and in fact some I know signed up
for a free ad and have never read it. Oh well, that's their loss.
Still how many more people are likely to read an ad in a content
rich ezine with articles specifically written to help them as
opposed to an ad posted next to 2000 other ads, or a web site
that 'pops up' as an extra to a site they just decided they
wanted no more to do with and left?
No, I'm not trying to say ezines are the only way to promote.
Other means of promotion can be worthwhile. My point here is
that eventually, and in some way, everything else always comes
back to ezines.
Look at it this way, ezines are the backbone of Internet
promotion and other methods are ribs. Yes, we need our ribs, but
what good would they be without a backbone, and if you had to
give one of them up, which would you choose? A rib or two would
be a small sacrifice in order to keep your backbone, wouldn't it?
Using this logic, it only makes sense to have your ezine as
well. Every other method you use to get visitors to your site
instantly becomes more effective when those visitors subscribe
to the free ezine you offer. This gives you the opportunity for
repeat contact. Now seriously, would you rather have just one
chance at getting a sale from your site's visitors, or would you
rather stay in touch and keep your product or opportunity in
their mind indefinitely?
Sure, use other methods, but coordinate them around your ezine
and you'll achieve better long term results.
Everything eventually comes through my ezine. I hear about new
opportunities as I receive ads for them. I get offers from
others to promote for them, and quite often receive what it is
they are promoting for free just for my honest review. I then
pick and choose which ones I want to promote based on the item's
usefulness.
Ezines are the backbone of Internet promotion. I honestly
believe this and welcome anyone who thinks otherwise to contact
me and give me their opinion.
About the author:
Joe Bingham, Editor NetPlay Newsletters
http://www.netplaynewsletters.com Want to start your own ezine?
Afraid you don't have time, know how, or writing skills?
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