Do you read all your Ezines Or do you file them away in special folders and then forget about them
I used to be like that.
When I first started subscribing to ezines I was amazed at the quantity of valuable information that was available for free.
But I soon became complacent about it. If anything, the 60-odd newsletters I was receiving each month became a burden. I was suffering from information overload.
Ezines contain a wealth of information. Every week, in hundreds of newsletters across the Web, experts share with their readers the latest tips, techniques and resources theyre using to succeed in the world of online business.
But if you dont have a system for processing and organizing that information, youll quickly become overwhelmed by it.
I use a system that I call the Ezine Encyclopedia. This is how it works:
1. Open a document in Microsoft Word. At the top of this Word document, type in 15 to 20 Category Headings, one per line. These are the categories I use:
Ad TrackingAffiliate ProgramsAuction SitesAuto RespondersBanner AdvertisingCopy WritingCredit Card ProcessingDiscussion BoardseBook CompilerseBook PromotioneBook PublishingEmail MarketingEzine AdvertisingEzine Articles, Writing and PublishingEzine PromotingEzine PublishingFree ClassifiedsFree SoftwareHTML codingInternet MarketingJava ScriptJoint VenturesOnline CommunityPortal WebsitesSearch Engine PositioningTraffic BuildingViral MarketingVisitor ManagementWeb HostsWebsite DesignWebsite PromotionWebstats
2. Now highlight all of these category headings. Then go to the toolbar at the top of your Word screen and click on Format. In the drop-down menu, click on Style. A new window will open with a box titled Styles. Click on Heading 1 and press OK. These category headings will now all appear in Heading 1 format.
3. Now place your cursor at the end of the first line (in my example, Ad Tracking) and press RETURN twice. Two paragraph marks (in Normal style) will appear beneath your first category heading (this is where you will insert the text of your articles). Repeat this for each category heading (place your cursor at the end of the line, and hit RETURN twice).
4. When you see an ezine article that contains valuable information, highlight it, copy it, and paste it under the appropriate Category Heading.
5. Highlight the title of the ezine article and use the same procedure described above, but choose Heading 2 (instead of Heading 1).
6. Now click on INSERT in the toolbar of your Word screen and go down to INDEX AND TABLES. In the new window that opens up, click on Table of Contents. In the lower right of that window is a box with a white background that allows you to set the levels between 1 and 9. Choose 2. Then click OK.
Youll find that your Information Categories appear as Chapter Headings and the Title of the ezine articles appear as a Sections within a Chapter.
Notice that the page numbers at the far right of your Table of Contents are hyperlinked; you can go to any ezine article with the click of a mouse.
This Word document will become your personal Ezine Encyclopedia.
It will contain everything important that youve ever read in an ezine. Isnt that better than having that information scattered amongst 20 or 30 ezines
When you have in place a well organized system like this, it changes the way you view new information. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by new information, youll simply place it under the appropriate Information Category.
And when you need that information, instead of searching through dozens of folders in your email client, youll know exactly where it is. This system has saved me an enormous amount of time.
Eventually youll end up with a large document that contains as much valuable information as any web marketing book. And itll be much more up to date!
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Michael Southon has been writing for the Internet for over 3
years. He has shown hundreds of webmasters how to use this
simple technique to build a successful online business. Click
here to find out more:
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Here are 11 ways to expand your subscriber list:
1. Use a conversational writing tone. It makes a connection. Yet, dont get lax on the grammar and spelling. Use personal pronouns (I, me, you and your). Limit the percentage of Is to half or less of the yous.
2. Spread the knowledge even further by asking your readership to forward a copy of your ezine to family members, friends, colleagues, or co-workers. Create a please forward this ezine to line or two. Give them an incentive, offer a free but-not-free item. This can be challenging to design.
3. Do you give presentations with slides or a projection system Add a paragraph about your ezine and how to get it on the test slide. A test slide is the slide you leave up there when they are seating themselves. Leave it displayed until a few minutes before your presentation and then turn it off. By turning it off, it creates a loss feeling and they will pay attention to it the next time you turn it on.
Turn the system on with the test slide displayed and then switch to the next slide. The next slide can explain how they can get your free but-not-for-free product and the directions on how to receive it. Return to this same slide at the end of your presentation.
4. At this same presentation, pass around a clipboard asking them if they want to register for ezine. Start passing at the beginning or even before you start. Use a short piece, different colored paper, with a note about the free but-not-free item. Give them three incentives to register at that time.
5. Send out a press release every time you have a new free but-not-free item available. Send whenever you have new context, new article published, or whenever anything else occurs. Since press releases require special writing, you might want to delegate this, especially if you are challenged with writing from another perspective. If you choose to learn the lingo, you can learn the how-tos with a Google search: Search example: press release and how to. Leave in the quote marks. Dont be nervous about sending out too many, some are always missed. is a great place to post your press releases.
6. Locate web sites that give out awards for outstanding ezines. Apply and keep applying. Keep tweaking. Look at previous winners and model. When you do win one, post it everywhere on your site and on every issue of your ezine for a year. Also, send out a press release when you do. If they create a press release as well, ask to use that one. Make copies of theirs and give it out at networking events. Remember, you cant win the lotto unless you play. So, get in the game, and apply. Try: or search on Google with: ezine award.
7. Im frequently asked, How much information should I ask for My recommendation is to KISS your subscriber form -- keep it short and simple. Ask for the e-mail address and/or their first name. If you ask for their first name, tell them why. Example: We like to personalize our correspondence with our subscribers.
8. Set up section for past issues of your e-newsletters. I recommend just listing their main topic or name of the article and not by date. People dont like to read things that they consider old news. If you use a pdf format to deliver past issues there are pros and cons. The pros are: pdf files are smaller to store and send. The con is that you loose the opportunity for tagging the item for search engine listing.
9. After you post your articles in the ezine, expand or submit as is to multi-media web sites. Possibility: . Locations where publishers and editors will pick up the article. Normally, there are no fees paid, just opportunity for visibility. When published send out a press release. Link their site, not yours, in the press release, Send them a copy of the release.
10. Readers are tired of not getting any value and are dropping off lists fast. faster than ever. To keep them there you MUST provide valuable information (their perception not yours). The 25/75% rule (you give them 25% and sell them the remaining 75%) is acceptable. After reading thousands of ezines, I found many publishers dont come close to providing that percentage.
11. Add an invitation to all your automatic e-mail signatures. Also, mention the free but-not-free item of the month. Include an expiration date for that free but-not- free offer. Change the e-mail signatures weekly to maintain interest.
Copyright 2004, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.
Catherine Franz is a Marketing & Writing Coach, niches, product development, Internet marketing, nonfiction writing and training. Additional Articles: blog: