'How To Build Your Own Responsive Email List' Lesson #5

How to Build your List - Lesson #5

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: What Kind of List or Ezine is Best for You?
Lesson #5
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

In the last lesson we looked at a system or structure
for building a list or ezine. You need a Management
System, an Advertising Program and a Prospecting
Website.

Now your next step is to decide what type or kind
of list or ezine that you want to produce.

If you already have a website - your ezine will usually
cover the same topic as your site. You want targeted
readers - people who are interested in your topic or area
of interest.

This also deals with the issue of 'building creditability'
- if you have constructed a well designed content rich
2000 page site on say 'Needlepoint Patterns' - chances
are when you publish an ezine on this subject you'll
know what you're talking about.

An ezine will add to your creditability and pretty soon
people will be seeking you out as the 'expert' on
Needlepoint!

Or whatever the topic of your website or special
area of interest is.

One piece of advice - the internet is 'keyword driven'!
Put your main topic or subject area in the Title of
Your Ezine.

Now that you have the subject matter for your ezine
or list; your next step is to decide what type of ezine
you want to produce.

There is a whole range of styles or kinds of lists
from which to choose. Perhaps; it would help if you
really examined some ezines closely.

Don't know if it's my training as a teacher or an
artist which tells me you will only learn how to
produce a 'good' ezine by reading and studying
'actual' ezines or lists.

So let's look at some examples!

The following are my own personal reviews or
critiques of some well-known lists or ezines.
These reviews are based on my own opinions - they
come firsthand - from having been subscribed to
these lists for a while - most of them for years.

The first list or ezine I subscribed to was
'Robert Genn Twice Weekly Letter'. An Artist
Newsletter from well known artist Robert Genn.
http://www.painterskeys.com

His Newsletters usually consists of a two or three
paragraph email on the problems, issues, and concerns
of visual artists.

Over the years, having read his Newsletters each week,
I feel like I have gotten to know Robert Genn the
artist and Robert Genn the person. This weekly (email)
contact is directly responsible for this attitude.

This attitude wasn't formed overnight - it was very
gradual - it happened over a long period of time. So
prepare yourself for the long haul!

It takes time to build a good responsive list.

Still, list building is about making that connection,
building that relationship, getting to know the ezine
or list owner. More importantly, it's getting to trust
and value that owner's views and opinions.

And it's not one-sided; a really good responsive list
will be a two-way street, with plenty of feedback and
communication between you and your subscribers.

It does take some commitment. It does take some work.

But the rewards are worth it!

Over the years, I have subscribed to hundreds of ezines
and lists. Most of them are on 'internet marketing' and
'list building'.

Most lists/ezines can be broken down into two
groups - formal and informal.

Your list or ezine does not have to be a complicated
creature - some marketers just send out early notifications
of new marketing opportunities. Subscribers only
get one or two 'early notifications' each month of new
programs hitting the market.

This kind of list is about as simple as they come.
Just short emails introducing a new product or opportunity.

But don't let the simplicity fool you - these short
informal notice/type lists can be very lucrative
to say the least.

One such list is The Heavy Hitters Marketing Ezine
run by Ken Langille which has over 35,000 subscribers.
Ken is often called upon first by promoters trying to
get their message 'out there'.
http://www.heavyhitters.net

Another excellent example is a daily tips newsletter
put out by David Vallieres. David is a very savvy marketer
and is a valuable source for new programs and new
marketing techniques.
http://www.infoproductlab.com

Phil Wiley's Newsletter is also extremely good. Direct,
practical 'niche' marketing advice.
http://www.ozemedia.com

Still another ezine of this informal nature is TalkbizNews
run by Paul Myers. Although Paul's newsletter is slanted
more to the ezine format than a list format.

Regardless, it's one of the best ezines on the web
- in my opinion - Paul's ezine is approaching an art form!
The caliber of writing is without equal on the net.
If you are not already subscribed to Paul's ezine -
subscribe now by clicking this link.
http://www.talkbiznews.com

If you really want to know how to build an opt in list
or ezine; I would suggest you subscribe to some of the other
newsletters mentioned here. But make sure Paul's TalkbizNews
is your number #1 pick - he's tops!

You Should Also Notice how all of these ezines or
lists are attached to a website.

Other ezines are more formal in nature.

Some good examples that I read regularly:

Dr. Ralph Wilson's Web Marketing Today®
Free Weekly newsletter is worth having if
interested in internet marketing.
http://www.wilsonweb.com/

Michel Fortin's The Profit Pill is another
very good choice if you're interested in
copy writing. The writing here is again - topnotch.
http://SuccessDoctor.com/

Dr.Mani Sivasubramanian's Ezine Launch Monthly is
another great resource if you're trying to get
list or ezine off the ground.
http://www.EzineMarketingCenter.com

Webpronews on search engines is another good
example of a 'magazine' format. Still, the key to
getting and keeping subscribers is delivering
valuable information.
http://www.webpronews.com

Other ezines are tied in with affiliate programs.
Ken Evoy puts out an excellent ezine for his
5Pillar Affiliates.
http://www.sitesell.com

So does Neil Shearing for his Scamfreezone associates
- good informative marketing content that you can use
for your own marketing.
http://www.scamfreezone.com

Marlon Sanders also has an excellent affiliate
program. He's also (my opinion) one of the better
copywriters on the web. You can't go wrong by
studying his 'copy' or 'ezine'.
http://www.amazingformula.com

No matter the format - you have to choose the
one that you're comfortable with producing.
Match it to your own personality, if you're
a friendly, out-going person - maybe an informal
style is right for you. Write your ezine as if
sitting down over a cup of coffee in your kitchen
chatting with a good friend.

If you're more on the conservative side - maybe a
more formal 'magazine' style would be better.
It really doesn't matter as long as you're giving
your subscribers good, quality information that
they can use. Write it as if you're giving a
presentation to your neighborhood group - with
the cameras rolling!

How often you publish to your list will also
depend on your ability and work schedule. Just
do what you feel comfortable with.

What day you sent your ezine will also depend
on your schedule. Tuesdays and Wednesday are
said to be the best days to publish but I
like Fridays the best.

But I have received ezines on all days of the
week so it's up to you when publish you ezine.
Actually, it's probably a better idea to survey
your subscribers and see when they want to
receive your ezine and how often.

Put your subscribers first.

Did I mention - we're building relationships here.

Now all that's left - is the actual writing of your
ezine. See the next lesson for some helpful hints
on this topic



---
http://www.bizwaremagic.com/opt-in.htm
---

-------------------------------------------------------------------------