How many times have you subscribed to a new ezine, and then
when the first issue of the ezine arrived, you were scratching
your head as to how your email address ended up on the list?
Our lives are often so tedious that little details often slip
right from our memory.
The point is this. If it happens to you, you can rest assured
that others have the same experience as well.
Sometimes when this happens to us, we just unsubscribe from the
list after that first issue. We cannot remember what compelled
us to subscribe in the first place, and the first issue of the
ezine does little to rekindle our initial enthusiasm for the
ezine.
As publishers, autoresponders can serve us well. When used
correctly, autoresponders can strike while the iron is hot,
cementing the subscription for the new subscriber.
If your ezine has been around for a while, or only for a
few issues, seriously consider taking the time to compile
a "Best Of" issue.
Be certain to list subscription instructions near the top of
your "Best Of" issue, and also ask people to forward it to
their friends.
Your "Best Of" issue should be placed into an autoresponder
email address, and then given away at every opportunity. The
moment the issue is ready, you can notify your subscribers of
the existence of the issue. In the ezine information area of
each issue, you can also remind subscribers that the "Best Of"
is available at such-and-such email address. Ironically, some
of your subscribers will download your "Best Of" several times.
The most important reason for building the "Best Of" issue is
not for the benefit of your current subscribers, though most
of them will appreciate your making it available to them. The
best reason to implement the "Best Of" autoresponder is for
your new subscribers!
When someone subscribes to your ezine, they will receive their
"Welcome to My Ezine" notice. As they are reading the "Welcome"
message, their enthusiasm is bubbling over. Waiting for that
first issue will be tough unless there is an invitation to
receive their first issue NOW.
In your "Welcome" message, you should let them know that if
they would like to get started right away reading your ezine,
then they should send a blank email to your autoresponder
address for the "Best Of" issue.
New subscribers will gorge themselves on your "Best Of" issue,
and they will remember your ezine when the first new issue
arrives in their mailbox. If the "Best Of" issue was precisely
what they were looking for, you can rest assured that they will
eagerly open each subsequent issue of your ezine, with delight
in their hearts.
If you do not have the ability to set up autoresponders on your
own domain, one company that offers a free autoresponder service
is: http://sendfree.com/
If you take the time now to implement the "Best Of"
autoresponder, the rewards will most certainly be long-lasting.
Remember, the best time to get a new subscriber to fall in love
with your ezine is when their interest is the highest at
the very moment they subscribe to your ezine.
About the Author
Bill Platt, http://IMIOBC.com assists businesses with search
engine optimization and a multitude of other business services.
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