Getting the Word Out by Creating Your Own E-Newsletter
by Chris King

It is amazing to me how few independent professionals, free agents and freelancers have ever sent out an E-Newsletter. Of the many marketing strategies I have tried and used, I can attest to the fact that my eclectic E-Newsletter, Portfolio Potpourri - which will soon reach its eighth anniversary - has brought me the most and best business.

Yes, it takes discipline, work, consistency, persistence and commitment.

But it is all worth it for the following top ten reasons:

• A well-written e-newsletter about your business topic(s) will establish you as an expert.
• It is a great way to build relationships. Remember, for someone to buy from you, or hire you, they must know, like and trust you. Created with that in mind, your e-newsletter will accomplish this.
• An e-newsletter is a great way to keep in touch with prospective, new and current clients on a regular basis. It serves as a reminder that you are here for them when they need you and/or your product(s).
• It is the most cost-effective way to direct market to customers. Warning note: my feeling is that it is OK to do some selling. Just don’t overdo it. I do receive one e-newsletter daily and love it because it is filled with rich and useful content. If I start getting obviously sales oriented e-mails (they don’t even qualify as e-newsletters) often, I will unsubscribe quickly.
• An e-newsletter can give a reason or reasons for readers to return to your website and/or sites. I always feature clickable articles as an incentive.
• It has been established and proven that the majority of people on the Internet are seeking information - enlightening, inspiring and thought provoking. So, by making sure that you are providing this in your e-newsletter, they will stick with you.
• Through asking for and receiving feedback from your readers, you will get ideas for your upcoming issues and your website(s).
• You will grow your distribution (mailing) list - important for future mailings and offers. The larger your list, the more chances for Joint Venture opportunities with other Internet marketers.
• By creating and writing on a regular basis, you will get experience that will serve you well when you are adding content to info-products.
• A regular, successful e-newsletter will not only provide confidence and self-esteem for you, it will also be FUN! Despite the work involved, I look forward to creating my e-newsletter, and always learn something new from doing it.

OK. By now I hope you are convinced of the benefits that accompany the creating and sending of your own e-newsletter. Following are some of the dos and don’ts:

• Realize that there will be several decisions that you will need to make.
  1. How often will you send it? It is suggested that you send it at least once a month - longer in between and you run the risk of being forgotten. I started with every other week and have added a shorter bonus e-newsletter on the off-weeks. More work, but I feel that it has been worth it.
  2. Will it be plain text or HTML? After receiving a message from one of my readers who thought the plain text version was boring and non-creative, I now create an HTML version of the current issue, post it on my website and link to it for those who prefer the “designer” version. This way, I avoid the hassle of sending out an HTML e-newsletter and yet satisfy those subscribers who want a “designer” look.
  3. How long will it be? My eclectic e-newsletter covers several topics, so it is longer that a lot of other e-newsletters. My feeling here is that if the content is worthwhile, subscribers will read it. Some of the best e-newsletters I receive are long, but so loaded with great information I read them from beginning to end.
  4. How much selling should you include? I include very little, because if I can encourage readers to re-visit my website(s), I will have more chance to convert them to buyers. I feel that too many references to selling and sales items will result in turning readers off and sending them to unsubscribe.
  5. What should be included in the e-newsletter? Before I list what I include, let me mention by far the best resource I have found for help with creating e-newsletters. It is the manual, Boost Your Business with E-zines, by Alexandria Brown, the E-zine Queen. You will find about more about her by clicking HERE.
• I include a description, title, date, volume and issue numbers, ISSN for credibility, subscribe and unsubscribe information, index, my complete mailing address and website addresses.
• Let your personality shine through. Make your e-newsletter personal enough - but not sappy - so that your readers feel they know you and have a relationship with you.
• Use some sort of incentive to spur visitors to your website to sign up. I give five or ten useful tips. Others use free reports or mini-e-courses.
• Subscribe to a variety of e-newsletters to learn what works, what you like and don’t like, and you will have a considerable basis for how to proceed.

So, why don’t you get started right now! And, do let me know how it goes.

Remember:

If you would like to try an issue of our FREE eclectic e-newsletter, Portfolio Potpourri, sign up by clicking HERE and hitting SEND. Just for trying it, you will receive "10 Tips of Ways to Develop Your Personal and Professional STYLE."

We never sell names and/or e-mail addresses, and if you ever wish to "opt-out" that's never a problem.

Contact Chris King at:
chris@creativekeys.net
or at: P.O. Box 221255
Beachwood, Ohio 44122
Phone: (216) 991-8428

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