'How To Build Your Own Responsive Email List' Lesson #6

How to Build your List - Lesson #6

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Subject: 10 STEPS To A Professional Looking Ezine
Lesson #6
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Congratulations! If you have read this far - and
I hope you're learning something from these lessons.
Keep going - if you set up a system like this one -
it will work!

In this lesson, I would like to just cover the basics
of writing a well formatted ezine or e-mail. I am sure
we have all received a broken or uneven e-mail.

You, like me, have also probably written a few!

I thought I would pass this article along - it
might be helpful to review some of the points
of writing a 'good' e-mail.

Feature Article:

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10 STEPS To A Professional Looking Ezine
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Checkpoints for producing quality e-mails

Your Ezine or opt-in Mailing List is the most important
part of your website - it can make or break your
marketing effects. It is your direct lifeline
or communication with your targeted market.

Don't mess it up!

Since it's so vital to your success - you should do
everything in your power to produce the most
professional ezine you can muster.

Here are 10 steps or guidelines that will greatly
improve the quality of your ezine or e-mails:

1. Composing - When composing use a text editor -
notepad or wordpad will do. On your computer go
into programs -- click accessories -- click on
notepad or wordpad. Make sure you use 65 characters
per line of text in all your e-mails. Also use a
hard carriage return - i.e. press 'enter' after each line.

Why? Because on your reader's e-mail client the
default is set at 65 characters and will open to this
width. By keeping your lines under 65 characters
and using a hard return you avoid having long run on
sentences. There's nothing more irritating or
unprofessional as e-mails that are broken or uneven.

2. Personalize - The most powerful word in any e-mail is
your own name! Always start the e-mail with your
subscriber's name - using 'dear friend' just doesn't
cut it. Use your reader's name in different sections
of the e-mail - just before you make your main
arguments or points.

Why? Because the whole purpose of your ezine or e-mail
is to build a one-to-one relationship with your
subscriber. Over time - this will build up a reciprocal
rapport with your reader - you want them to feel
comfortable contacting you.

3. Header - Place a Header at the top of your ezine. A
Header should consist of the Name of Ezine, who it's
written by, website url, the date and edition.

Why? - Because a Header will tell your subscriber
exactly who you are and the website you are representing.
Your reader will no doubt be subscribed to many ezines.
Identify yourself quickly and get down to business.

4. Table of Contents - Use a simple Table of Contents -
listing the articles and material in your ezine.

Why? Ask yourself - when was the last time you read a
magazine without a table of contents. Use the same
standard for your ezine - it will bring up the quality.

5. Grammar and Spell Check - The most beneficial thing you
can do to improve the quality of your ezine is check for
spelling and grammar mistakes. Proofread it or have a
friend proofread it for you. You might want to set up a
proofread system with an online contact - test and
proofread each other's e-mails before you send them out.

DO A SPELL CHECK with every e-mail. Online Spell Check
http://www.spellcheck.net

DO A GRAMMAR CHECK with every e-mail. Online Grammar Check
http://www.grammarstation.com

Why? Nothing will subtract from your product than poor
grammar and spelling mistakes - so you have to check and
recheck your work. It's common knowledge most people will
not buy from a site with grammar and spelling mistakes.

6. Spamcheck - You must check your e-mails to see if they
will be classified as SPAM. Too many characteristics of
spam (i.e. certain keywords, CAPITALIZED SENTENCES, etc.)
will get your e-mails filtered, put in the Junk Mail Folder
or simply deleted altogether. You need to Spamcheck your
e-mails.

Here is an online system you can use:Online Spamchecker
http://www.bizwaremagic.com/Spamcheck.htm

Why? Because your ezine or e-mail will not even reach your
readers. Spam filters will filter it!

7. HTML - To Html or not to Html? Very tricky problem here -
while using Html can dramatically improve the professional
quality of an e-mail and allow for all the bells and
whistles of a webpage - many e-mail clients can't display
them properly or as you designed them. Also, it takes a lot
more time to design Html e-mails - text e-mails are much
faster to make. Please note many people consider text
e-mails to be more personal than html e-mails; similar to
comparing a handwritten letter to a typed one.

Solution? Do both if you have the time and ask your
subscribers if they want to receive Html e-mails. You can
also post your ezine on your website - in full html glory!
Then put a link to it in your ezine, it will give your
site stats a big boost.

8. Give a Famous Quote! - Include a Famous Quote or saying in
your ezine - this is not window dressing or filler. A good
quote can emphasize your ezine's theme or purpose. For
example, Paul Myers' Famous Wayne Gretzky 's quote:

"100% of the shots you don't take don't go in "

brings his ezine (Talkbiz News) up to a higher level. Of
course, being a top-notch writer also helps!

Why? Well chosen Quotes can lift the quality of your ezine
and express ideas or emotions where your own words would
fall short of the mark. Quotes can improve your changes of
connecting with your subscribers.

9. Be Yourself - Perhaps it does need repeating - Be Yourself.
The only true way to form a relationship with your
subscribers is to be yourself. Provide unique content. Be
direct, be honest, be sincere, be as helpful as you
possibly can be. Most of all - Don't pretend to be anyone
but yourself.

Why? Because over time your true nature will be revealed in
your writings. Our main objective here is building a long
lasting relationship. Show mutual respect and both parties
will benefit.

10. TEST TEST TEST - Always test your e-mails by sending them
to yourself first. Make sure you have an 'unsubscribe link'
in every e-mail - Don't take hostages. Use different e-mail
clients such as Yahoo, Hotmail and Outlook Express to double
check your e-mails.


Why? Because your opt-in list is the most valuable part of
your online endeavors. Show your subscribers respect by
producing the most professional ezine you can muster. Keep
this checklist handy and refer back to it when you write your
next ezine or e-mail.

Then and only then ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: HIT SEND!

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