Your newsletter isn’t only a powerful list building tool it can also be used as a highly effective and profitable advertising tool. As you develop and build your list you’ll make a nice income when you advertise with your newsletter.
There are three ways to advertise with your newsletter.
1. Your own “in house” ads-your products/services
2. Third party ads-paid advertisings
3. Advertising swaps
“In house advertisings” are ads you place for products/services you’re selling. These can be your own or affiliate products/services. You’ll build good relationships with your subscribers, by your quality newsletter and prompt answers to questions. You’ll extra time be selling your products and services. The trick is to always keep your offers highly targeted to your subscriber needs.
Third party ads: when you’ve about a thousand subscribers you can accept 3-rd party advertising. These are people who pay to advertise in your publication. Ads you can offer are:
Classified advertisement*
Top/feature Sponsor advertisings
Solo advertisings
Classified advertisement*: small punchy little ads that are usually 5-6 lines (60 characters) in length. Usually placed towards the bottom of the newsletter.
Top/feature Sponsor advertisings: these will be a little longer than classifieds, with more benefits. These will be placed before the feature or main article in a publication and will get more exposure.
Solo advertisings: are sent out alone to the entire database of subscribers and will be usually 3 times as long as the Top Sponsor advertising.
Advertising Swaps: are ads you’ll swap with other publications. This is a good way to build your list for subscribers or any free offer. Again wait until you’ve 1000+ subscribers before you do this. Take care that newsletters you swap with has an equal or greater number of subscribers.
Advertising to your list: Your newsletter subscriber base is critical to your business. Always remember even if your newsletter is a free publication to treat your readers like the VIP’s they’re. They’ve made a positive decision to join your newsletter and have put their trust in you as an editor to deliver a good quality publication. They’re your potential customers and nobody is more important than them. Here are some points to keep your subscribers happy and not make them feel like dollar bills:
Create trust – credibility: it’s critical to your business to maintain and build your credibility with your subscribers. You’ll do this by building relationships with them by publishing a quality publication and advertising responsibly. Don’t put too many ads in your newsletter as this will annoy readers and give less response for your advertisers.
Don’t over advertise: Nothing is more bothersome to your subscribers than a daily barrage of ads in their mailboxes. This makes them feel like dollar bills and isn’t a respectful way of advertising. One or two solos a week are enough. You’ll get better response this way and cut down unsubscribes.
Do opinion Polls/surveys to find what subscribers like: always be in tune with your readers. Like any editor of a publication you should always give your readers a chance to voice their opinions. In this way you’ll know what your subscribers are interested in and advertise accordingly.
Target your advertising: Advertise according to your market (readers) needs. Advertise products and services that they can use and you’ll get better response and a more loyal readership.
Keep your advertisers happy: here are some tips to keep your advertisers happy and encourage them to return:
How to get return advertisers: Find ways to get your readers to open the email.
Contests;
Eye catching subject line;
personalize;
Email analyzer to go thru filters;
Do not use the word solo ad in the subject or as a heading;
Put your disclaimer at the bottom not the top.
These methods will ensure a better open rate and encourage a higher click through, better click through = happy advertisers. Great click through = return customers.
Try to target the Solos for your subscribers, put some suggested topics on your ad page, to encourage advertisers to send you ads that will target your subscribers. This will greatly increase click through, and return customers.
Specials: Everyone likes a bargain and your advertisers are no exception. Here are a few suggestions:
2 for one solo ads: Always a favorite. Another variation is “buy one solo and get the other at ½ price.” For repeat advertisers you can give a loyalty bonus or discount%.
Discount packages: Groups of ads at a discount price or packs of ads at a special price are always popular with advertisers.
Advertising with your newsletter can bring you some additional income but don’t expect a large amount. Advertise responsibly and understand your obligation to your readers. Always remember the value of your readers and the fact that they’re your potential customers. Keep in mind the old cliché “look after your subscribers and they’ll look after you.”
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