FAQ: Where Do I Find Subscribers?

If you have an offline business, you should include your e-zine subscription address on anything that includes your website address: business cards, letterhead, brochures, flyers, vehicle magnets — wherever you post your website address.

If you’ve got an online store to supplement your offline business, you should have an e-zine signup form prominently posted throughout your website. When you make in-person sales, ask your customer if they’d like to receive your “Tips and Strategies” bulletin, or your “Industry Newsletter” by email. Let them know that you offer your e-zine subscribers special discounts or some other incentive to encourage them to sign up. On the Web, you can:

• Include your e-zine signup information in your signature file (your signature line at the end of every email you send — you do have an automatic sig file, don’t you? If not, make a note to yourself to set one up Pronto!).
• Participate in online discussion groups and forums related to your specialty. Provide courteous, helpful information when you can, but make sure you’re adding value to the discussion, not just tooting your own horn. Include your sig file in every post.
• Write articles for e-zines related to your specialty and submit them to e-zine directories and “free article” sites (such as those listed under “What If I’m Not A Writer“).
• Buy ad space in other e-zines that target the same or similar audiences as yours.
• Exchange links with other e-zine publishers who reach the same audience but are not direct competitors.
• Include a note in each e-zine encouraging subscribers to forward it to friends or others who might benefit from the valuable information your e-zine provides.
• Participate in viral list generating programs such as giveaways or services like List Hero.