What are the 7 essential Q's you must ask before posting an ad?
In Part 1>, I talked about finding your target market, and how it might not always be who you first think of. Then how to begin finding the right ezines to market in.
In Part 2 of this article, I will talk the 7 essential questions you must ask the ezine owner before posting a single ad. Why it is so important to get in touch with the owner of the ezine? Easy: to determine how effective your ad will be. It also puts you in control of your business relationship. You now have the power.
You can email, but a call is more powerful. Directories (such as DirectoryOfEzines.com) will often give you contact information for the owners. There are certain questions you want to ask that will help you determine if this ezine is worth your time.
Q: "How many mailings are sent out each week?" If they send out more than 2 per week I stay away. That means the list is getting hammered with ads. Subscribers will get annoyed and opt out. Generally (not always), ezines that get a lot of mailing have lower quality. The content is not good. It's extremely important that the content is good. Otherwise, the subscribers are probably just people that are just looking for their own ad.
Q: "How many new subscribers are you bringing in each month?" You want to work with group that is growing. If it's growing, that means it has quality content. When you find good list, it will keep growing, and new people will see your ad.
This is residual marketing. You can advertise to the same list and create branding with old subscribers, but you're also hitting new subscribers as well. In effect, this is someone else building your email marketing list for you.
Q: "Will you give me references? People you've worked with in past? Names and numbers?" Get testimonials at least. This depends on how selective you want to be.
Also when you advertise and like the results that the ezine owner produced for you, call the ezine owner and tell them you want to put up a testimonial. It builds your name and it gets your website more exposure.
Q: "Can you personalize ads?" You should be able to merge the first name of subscribers in subject line and throughout the email. This makes a more effective ad. Sure, there are potentially thousands of readers, but only one person is reading it at a time. That person wants to feel like I am talking to her. What's in it for her?
Q: "Is there HTML?" If you don't know how to do it, you can have editors do it. I use a lot of italics, bolding, and underlining (in case you haven't noticed). You want to be expressive, but not too flashy. This is not a huge point, but it is important. My ads really look like texts with formatting. It is important to create a website hyperlink so people can click on it.
Q: "Is there an archive section on website?" This is important so you can see actual content that is being provided. Rely on common sense. How does the layout look? If website looks like a carnival with flashing lights and banner ads everywhere, stay away. You want something that's clean, flows well, looks professional. Pay attention to see if the other ads look professional as well. If other people are getting results, so will you. If they won't give you access to archives, don't advertise with them. Also, it's a waste of my time to subscribe to the ezine and wait for next issue. By the time it arrives, I forgot why I wanted it...
Q: "Will you give me an endorsement? If you look at my website and see what we have to offer, will you give me an endorsement?" If this happens, your conversions will go through the roof. It is the same as if your friend or family recommends a great movie or restaurant. You'll just go there.
You won't always get an endorsement, and this is where you need to believe in the product/opportunity you are marketing. It's important to point out to them that you are looking for a long term relationship, possibly advertising for months to years. The owner of the ezine will see what a pro you are in marketing! The endorsement doesn't have to be anything over the top. Just something simple like, "I highly recommend you take a look at this site!" or "This is great, read look at this letter."
You have to treat your business seriously, like the million dollar business it could be.
Next edition:
"What is the single most important part of your solo ad?"
In Part 1>, I talked about finding your target market, and how it might not always be who you first think of. Then how to begin finding the right ezines to market in.
In Part 2 of this article, I will talk the 7 essential questions you must ask the ezine owner before posting a single ad. Why it is so important to get in touch with the owner of the ezine? Easy: to determine how effective your ad will be. It also puts you in control of your business relationship. You now have the power.
You can email, but a call is more powerful. Directories (such as DirectoryOfEzines.com) will often give you contact information for the owners. There are certain questions you want to ask that will help you determine if this ezine is worth your time.
Q: "How many mailings are sent out each week?" If they send out more than 2 per week I stay away. That means the list is getting hammered with ads. Subscribers will get annoyed and opt out. Generally (not always), ezines that get a lot of mailing have lower quality. The content is not good. It's extremely important that the content is good. Otherwise, the subscribers are probably just people that are just looking for their own ad.
Q: "How many new subscribers are you bringing in each month?" You want to work with group that is growing. If it's growing, that means it has quality content. When you find good list, it will keep growing, and new people will see your ad.
This is residual marketing. You can advertise to the same list and create branding with old subscribers, but you're also hitting new subscribers as well. In effect, this is someone else building your email marketing list for you.
Q: "Will you give me references? People you've worked with in past? Names and numbers?" Get testimonials at least. This depends on how selective you want to be.
Also when you advertise and like the results that the ezine owner produced for you, call the ezine owner and tell them you want to put up a testimonial. It builds your name and it gets your website more exposure.
Q: "Can you personalize ads?" You should be able to merge the first name of subscribers in subject line and throughout the email. This makes a more effective ad. Sure, there are potentially thousands of readers, but only one person is reading it at a time. That person wants to feel like I am talking to her. What's in it for her?
Q: "Is there HTML?" If you don't know how to do it, you can have editors do it. I use a lot of italics, bolding, and underlining (in case you haven't noticed). You want to be expressive, but not too flashy. This is not a huge point, but it is important. My ads really look like texts with formatting. It is important to create a website hyperlink so people can click on it.
Q: "Is there an archive section on website?" This is important so you can see actual content that is being provided. Rely on common sense. How does the layout look? If website looks like a carnival with flashing lights and banner ads everywhere, stay away. You want something that's clean, flows well, looks professional. Pay attention to see if the other ads look professional as well. If other people are getting results, so will you. If they won't give you access to archives, don't advertise with them. Also, it's a waste of my time to subscribe to the ezine and wait for next issue. By the time it arrives, I forgot why I wanted it...
Q: "Will you give me an endorsement? If you look at my website and see what we have to offer, will you give me an endorsement?" If this happens, your conversions will go through the roof. It is the same as if your friend or family recommends a great movie or restaurant. You'll just go there.
You won't always get an endorsement, and this is where you need to believe in the product/opportunity you are marketing. It's important to point out to them that you are looking for a long term relationship, possibly advertising for months to years. The owner of the ezine will see what a pro you are in marketing! The endorsement doesn't have to be anything over the top. Just something simple like, "I highly recommend you take a look at this site!" or "This is great, read look at this letter."
You have to treat your business seriously, like the million dollar business it could be.
Next edition:
"What is the single most important part of your solo ad?"
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