It is one thing to get subscribers to your ezine or
to get traffic to your web site, but it is quite
another thing to keep your subscribers and visitors
as your AUDIENCE.
You see, there is a difference between subscribers
and an audience. Just as there is a difference
between an unsubscribe and a non-interested subscriber.
It is very important to keep the attention of your
subscribers or visitors. If you lose their attention,
you may lose it for good. Go back and read that
sentence again. If you lose the attention of your
subscribers, you may not get it back.
You may have 10,000 subscribers or 40,000 visitors,
but are they really seeing and reading what you have
to offer? What good is it if they delete your ezine
without reading it and surf right on through your
web site without "seeing" it?
The fact that you are reading this article indicates
that the ezine publisher / editor or webmaster is
doing a good job of keeping you interested (or you
are bored and have nothing better to do). Now how
does he/she do that? Well, stop and analyze the
ezines or newsletters you are subscribed to.
What about the bookmarks for your favorite web
sites? Do you read all of them or visit all of the
web sites all of the time? Why or why not?
Let's examine some ideas here:
1. Original Content
Does your ezine or web site provide original content
or is it regurgitated content from a compilation of
other web sites? If this is your intent, present
your ezine or web site as a list of resources. Don't
try to be what you are not.
2. Relevant Content
Is your web site focused on marketing? Well, then
don't fill it with deep sea diving articles. You
will confuse your readers.
3. Keep it consistent
Oh, you don't feel like writing this week? You say
you are just going to "throw together" your ezine to
get it done with and publish a fantastic one next
week? Go ahead, but you run the risk of losing your
audience. One bad issue may cost you the attention
of your subscribers, though they may take six months
more to actually unsubscribe.
.
4. Keep It Simple & Quick
Don't try to re-write the encyclopedias in one issue.
You will tire yourself out and not have anything left
for your next issues. You will also tire your readers
out and they may not take the desired time to finish
reading. If you do provide a lot of information,
break it into "bite-size" morsels.
5. Personalized responses
Do you receive feedback from your subscribers or
visitors? Respond to them personally and they will
see that you are a real person that not only cares
about their needs and wants, but understands their
needs and wants.
6. Feedback
Offer your subscribers the ability to offer feedback
and ask questions, both on your web site and through
email. You want to be approachable or they will
keep searching.
7. Free Exposure
Offer your readers the opportunity to advertise
themselves. If you focus entirely on yourself,
your business, your web site, etc., you will cause
your readers to feel you are so stuck on yourself
that you have no idea what is going on around you.
People always love to talk about themselves, let
your readers do so - they will appreciate you for
it.
8. Keep it Resourceful
People vary. Some like philosophical articles,
some how-to. Some like quick tips. Some like
contests. Whoever your subscribers are, they
are most likely all looking for something that
they can get out of your ezine (preferably for
free). Give them something resourceful. Give
them something that they can use to better
themselves and/or their business or whatever
their interest. Help them grow and they will
be more likely to be receptive to what you
publish.
9. Give them something free
Just like #9 above, offer free stuff to your
subscribers. Let them have a "taste" of what
you are offering. If you truly are an ethical
personal offering valuable products or services,
they will be back.
10. Contests & Specials
What benefit is it to your subscribers to
remain subscribed to your ezine? Offer them
subscriber-only specials or contests. They
will want to view the next publication to
see if they have won anything or to see
what they can get for free or reduced prices
This is by far, not an exhaustive list, but hopefully
it will get you thinking as to how to keep your audience.
To sum it all up - Think of your audience first and
they will remember you.
About the Author
Deborah Anderson is the editor of Webmaster Tips Weekly
http://www.andersoncreations.com/subscribe.shtml and
she provides the "Web Tips" column for use in ezines and
web sites across the internet - free. Subscribe free to
WebTipsDigest to receive 7 Web Tips per week for your
free use. Visit http://Webmaster-Tips-Weekly.com/webtips