10 Simple Ways to Expand Your Subscriber List
by Catherine Franz
Here are 10 ways to expand your subscriber list:
1. Keep your subscription form easy to find
on every web page. Preferably, add it on your navigational
bar. If the form is to large for the bar or page, add a hyperlink
and send them to a popup or a separate page so that the previous page
on your site doesn't disappear. It is easy for them to return.
2. Not only must the form be easy to see,
it also needs to be easy to read. Label each field. I've
seen a few where I didn't know what to enter. Be kind to computer
readers suffering from dry eyes, make the font large and easy to read.
3. Do you write your own ezine articles?
Add a "please subscribe here line to your byline. Begin
the line with a benefit they get from subscribing and then add a few
invitational words along with a URL hyperlink. Example: "Learn
more about this topic. Subscribe to [name of your ezine] by visiting...."
4. Generally, people are impulse buyers.
So, give them that impulse. Give away a free ebook. Instead
of letting them see that the ebook is free. Regularly charge for the
eBook. Six dollars is a good price, just explain them that it is a
limited special offer.
They will perceive it even more valuable when there
is a price connected to it. An example of the wording could go like,
"Normally this ebook sells for $6 at [your web site URL or even
a middle man ebook site]." Always give them a reason why you
are giving it to them free. Make the reason believable.
5. Do you belong to networking groups, or
attend other events? Invite everyone you meet if they would
like to register for your ezine. Give them a story about the free,
but not so free, ebook offer. Always, make this offer limited. In
fact, have a list of these free but-not-free ebooks, written either
by you, affiliates, or from resale right products. Move them around.
Put one on the calendar for January through December and then repeat
them the next year. Then in the third year, change it. Also, share
with them how easy it is to opt-out if they don't like the ezine and
they can keep the ebook.
6. Don't stop at networking groups, contact
trade or professional organizations you do or don't belong
to that have a high percentage of your type of readers. Ask for the
membership list. Look for the people you have identified as your gatekeepers
(people that know lots of others in your target market). For accountants,
it's lawyers and bankers. Call them and introduce yourself. Ask if
they could recommend your ezine to a few of their friends. You can
also attend their networking events and ask, ask, ask.
7. Instead, or in addition to, calling the
gatekeepers you have identified on the membership lists,
you can send them a letter of introduction -- a direct mail piece.
The piece can ask them (a call to action) to visit your web site for
more information on your newsletter and/or receive a copy of the free
but-not-free ebook.
8. Share the wealth. Exchange recommendations
to each other's newsletter. Be prepared for these so that it doesn't
cost you valuable time when you are working on a deadline. If you
work with a virtual assistant, let them respond to these opportunities.
Prepare three or four examples and offer the exchanger their choice
to use one that they feel is appropriate for their audience. Ask them
for a reciprocal and equal announcement.
9. Make comments and include your byline
at the end. Comments can be product review on Amazon, ezines
you enjoy, or local newspapers. Give suggestions, share your stories
on how it helped you, ask questions, or give ideas that emerged from
your reading. Blogs are also good places to comment on as well.
10. It takes 7 times before people start
to trust. Present them 7 opportunities to have two-way conversations
with you. Not one-way conversations (you write, they read). Provide
the two-way with surveys, questions, contests, games, things that
they need to ask for are just a few. If you are offering a contest,
send them a testimonial from the winner. If you can, create an opportunity
for many winners. It spreads the hope.
© Copyright 2004, Catherine Franz.
All rights reserved.
Catherine Franz is a Marketing & Writing Coach, niches, product
development, Internet marketing, nonfiction writing and training.
Additional Articles: http://www.abundancecenter.com
Blog: http://abundance.blogs.com
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