Sam, My Border Collie's Internet Marketing Advice! No 5

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, FREE of charge, as long as the bylines are included and you only mail to a 100% opt-in list.

Sam (that's my 12 year old Border Collie) and I were walking again through the Bush (Australian countryside). Sam as usual was ranging out from me checking for the Eucalyptus trees that needed his marketing skills.

When we reached our usual rock beside the fallen log, I said to Sam, Look mate I'd really like to thank you for your advice last week. Starting a contest in my e-zine has turned into a bonus of information that I couldn't have anticipated.

"O.K." said Sam, "Just exactly what did you learn?"

Well, for a start I had some really great talks with subscribers from all over the world. They were people who had subscribed and placed their FREE ads regularly. Other than that, we'd actually never even exchanged a single thought between each other.

"Hmmm, I know what you mean" said Sam. "I met quite a few when I chose the winners to your contest. Hey! I really liked that subscriber with the two Bulldogs and the Cats".

Yes, I agree Sam, I think we're lucky to have met these people who are actually reading the e-zine. But Sam, I found out a few things from the contest that worried me.

" I thought you would, it's all part of the learning process" retorted Sam.

Yes, well when you consider the total numbers that actually subscribe and place their FREE weekly ads compared to the number that actually participated in the contest. I've got a dreadful feeling that a lot of people just don't look at the e-zine at all.

"So what are you going to do to remedy that?" asked Sam.

Well what can I do, I mean what more can I do? I'm 'Fair Dinkum' and give everyone a fair go. Why, I even supply a FREE ad weekly and not just to new subscribers.

The contest not only gives everyone the opportunity to check out one of the best opportunities available on the net but in addition to this I have given out some of the best Sponsor ad positions in the whole e-zine. What more can one do?

"Hey!", said Sam. " I thought you were supposed to be the expert at marketing, you're missing a simple way to encourage your subscribers to at least skim through your e-zine.

As you know Gordon, even those who only skim through your e-zine will have a good chance of noticing an ad with a headline that relates to their needs.

You owe it to your subscribers who place their ads regularly, to try to ensure that as many as possible, skim through your e-zine, otherwise why bother encouraging them to place their ads even if they are free.

Here's what to do. Insert a different ad code each week so everyone needs to at the very least skim your e-zine, to get their FREE ad. It won't affect those who don't place ads and it can only be a benefit to those who do because their ads have a better chance of being noticed.

At the same time Gordon, you will probably get more entrants to your contest and in the long run you will also get more of your readers to look at your program. Remember, you can only do the best for your subscribers then it's up to them.

You'll have to excuse me now, Old Platty the Platypus said he was going to try something new in his marketing techniques and I'm all for learning new tricks".

Who say's 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks!' O.K. Sam hurry up, then we'll head home for lunch. Sam always has to have the last word.