Engage Your Ezine: Tweak, Tweak, & Re-Tweak!
by Susan Nichols
It takes energy, focus, and devotion to develop and maintainan ezine. The word "tweaking" derives new meaning as aneditor concentrates on the publication that will be viewed,read, and thus, benefit reading subscribers. All previousknowledge of publishing, writing, and anticipatedreader-interaction is brought together in one spot -- thekeyboard and monitor screen.
Here are some tips for tweaking your publication:
--Design for Ease of Scanning:
Make your Table of Contents or Index easily accessible toyour readers. You have only a few seconds to capture theirattention. Don't make them 'hunt' for your topics. Createheadings that will 'urge' your subscribers to stay.
--Make a list and update this list as you progress:
Keep a small notebook by your keyboard for instant notes -you might not remember them later. Or keep your text/wordeditor minimized so you can click it open and type yourideas.
--Opt for Writing and Reprinting Shorter Articles:
Let's admit it - we can all say the same in much less.Online readers are very overworked and reading time islimited. Write/Use articles that are under 1,000 words.Optimal length is 600-800 words.
--Rely On Your Fellow Editors:
We're not competitors, we can all work together!It's a Big world!
--Accept Articles:
Dual purpose - fresh, quality content for you, plus freeadvertising for the author. "Always" get permission andinclude the author's bio/resources.
When you publish another author's article, be sure andthank him/her. Remember, printed magazines pay big money forarticles - your contributors are giving their articles inexchange for the free advertising. What a blessing, so besure and send a "Thank You" email!For a list of syndicated article services, contact me:http://www.vectorcentral.com/ezine-contact-form.html
--Use Simple, but Pleasing Design Techniques:
Newsletters are for information and quality content. Limityour graphics and make sure they are compressed for fastloading. Don't use quick-flashing graphics - these cansometimes cause epileptic attacks in readers who are subjectto seizures.
--Make These Convenient:
Contact info, identification of ezine's title & youreditor's name, table of contents, subscribe & unsubscribeinfo, subscriber count, your web site link, site map andhome page links. If using html format, use internal links tothe table of contents/index and other necessary areas ofyour ezine throughout your publication.
--Personal, yet Professional:
Always be professional! Even when giving the personal touchin your ezine, keep it professional. One way to give thepersonal touch is to include your photograph, but make sureit is a professional photo. If it looks like you just wentjogging, that's a bit too personal... unless you have afitness site, of course. :)
--Offer Something Extra:
Offer information pertaining to more than the main subject.For example, if marketing is the theme of your ezine, have asection for poetry, music links, health articles, etc.Variety will attract more than only marketing customers andthus increase your subscribers list, plus your sales!
--HTML vs. Text Format:
Here are a few of the pros for each:
HTML - 1. Easier to read; 2. The use of color can helporganize & categorize topics; 3. Most large, professionalezines use HTML format; 4. Compressed graphics can helpemphasize and focus reading.
TEXT - 1. Some readers prefer text format; 2. Takes lesstime to compose; 3. Remember to add "mailto:" to your emaillinks so they will be clickable; and 4. Use dividing linesfor organization so your ezine is not one massive, confusingpage of text.
When publishing in HTML format, also send a text versionfor those readers who can not or choose not to receive HTMLformat. For an excellent mailing service, contact me:http://www.vectorcentral.com/ezine-contact-form.html
--Mistakes are Human:
Realize that we all make mistakes. After publishing to yoursubscribers, if you find you've made a mistake, realize thatyour loyal subscribers will understand. For example, afteran ezine has been delivered, if you forgot to run the spellcheck, you will Gasp! But then tell yourself, "It's okay,it's okay!" :)To avoid this in the future, make a checklist to reviewbefore publishing each issue.
See your ezine as a means to "Give" and "Assist" yourreaders! Then research, compose, and tweak, tweak, andre-tweak!
Happy Publishing!!!
Our best to you,
Susan Nichols, Vector Central Marketing
http://www.vectorcentral.com
Copyright 2001, Revised 2003
About the Author: Susan Nichols, editor of the Interactive Marketing Ezine, assists businesses with essential marketing methods to generate online success! Susan is also an expert in Solo Ad designing. Whether in plain text or designed with custom backgrounds, Solo Ads are one of her specialties! Subscribe: http://www.vectorcentral.com/subscribe-ezine.html
| DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware. |
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