THE WHAT RING? EzineRing - not a WebRing, but very
similar. An EzineRing is basically an alliance or
community of e-publishers, preferably all in the same
field, who work to promote each other's ezines.
GROW YOUR LIST. For e-publishers, an EzineRing can
provide a new and ever-growing source of targeted
subscribers, ensuring the future success and
profitability of your venture.
WORKING SAMPLE. Each ezine displays a text box with
links to the "next" and "previous" ezine samples in the
ring, as well as a "full list" containing short ads for
each ring member. This allows your subscribers to
sample and subscribe to ezines in the ring.
WOULD PEOPLE BOTHER? Ezine publishing is fast becoming
the fashionable, not to mention smart, thing to do.
There is now so much choice that your subscribers want
to know which ezines are worth subscribing to.
EzineRings can alleviate this problem entirely. No
single ezine can hope to cover everything on a
particular topic; an EzineRing, however, can claim to
do just this - giving your subscribers exactly what
they want.
THE "A" LIST. Creating an EzineRing is not that hard.
You need to draw up a list of e-publishers that you
wish to be associated with. Choose publications that
complement your ezine - look for good presentation, and
content that adds to your own. Subscriber numbers are
not so important. Any targeted (on your niche subject)
and well-written ezine will be an asset within your
ring.
POST YOUR INVITATIONS. Send your list an invitation to
join your EzineRing. Here's a sample letter complete
with instructions:
Hi Jayde.com,
I'm setting up a free EzineRing for [your ezine name]
and have selected [their ezine name] to join. The idea
is very similar to webrings that allow surfers to move
from site to site in the ring. An EzineRing allows a
targeted audience to request a free sample and also to
subscribe to your ezine. A great way to increase your
subscriber base!
You only need to send me a short text ad [you may want
to specify a length] promoting your ezine. This ad must
contain an autoresponder link to a free ezine sample.
The deadline for this is March 1, 2000.
I will then send you a small text box that must be
placed in every issue of your ezine. It will contain
autoresponder links to a full list of participating
ezines, and the previous and next ezine samples in the
ring.
I hope to hear from you shortly. This is a great
promotional opportunity for your ezine - so don't miss
out.
Best wishes,
[Your Name]
[Your Signature File]
LINKS IN THE RING. Once you've received all your ads,
you'll need access to a free autoresponder - an email
message that is sent out automatically and
immediately upon request. Two free autoresponder
services:
http://www.smartbotpro.net or
http://www.GetResponse.com
The easiest thing to do is to place all your ads on one
autoresponder and rotate them once a month (or on a
regular basis) so that everyone's ad gets maximum
exposure - it's only fair. This autoresponder is your
full list.
BOXING CLEVER! The next step is to construct text boxes
for all the members of your ring. These boxes all need
to contain unique "previous" and "next" links:
Using index cards or separate sheets of paper,
list all your members (including yourself) in
alphabetical order and number from 1 to whatever.
Write down each member's sample ezine link
underneath their name. This was requested in your
invitation.
On each sheet, write the words "previous" and
"next" on separate lines. These relate to previous
and next ezine samples.
Number 1 in your ring will need the sample ezine
link from the final member of your ring. Write this
link next to "previous." Then write the sample ezine
link from number 2 in your ring beside "next" for
number 1.
This sounds a little tricky, but it's not. Simply
work your way through your sheets of paper
remembering that "previous" requires the sample
ezine link from the previous member numbered in the
ring, and "next" requires the sample ezine link from
the next member numbered in the ring.
Each sheet should now contain the unique links
needed for all your members.
Construct a text box for your ring. Example:
YOUR EZINE-RING NAME GOES HERE
Sample the Best [your field] Ezines - FREE!
Prev: sample10@listserver.com
Next: sample2@listserver.com
Full List: eringlist@listserver.com
FINAL COUNTDOWN. The last step is to send the text box
to all your members. "Full list" requires the
autoresponder link that you set up earlier. The only
parts that change for each member are the "previous"
and "next" links that are now conveniently written
underneath each member's name.
ADDED VALUE. By setting up an EzineRing, instead of
simply participating in one, you've got a lot to gain.
Sure, you'll have to organize and monitor the whole
thing, but you can also identify yourself as the ring
owner in both the text box and full list - these can be
used to direct traffic back to your website. You can
also, for example, reserve the odd ad space in your
full list, to promote some of your affiliate links. You
are limited only by the depths of your imagination....
About the Author
Marie Williams | marie@writead.com
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