I Want to Do an Ezine! Part 1 What is an Ezine?

Copyright 2002 Terri Seymour

I have been getting numerous emails lately from peoplenwho want to start publishing an ezine, but really don'tnknow where to start. So, I am going to write this nseries of articles from start to finish in the hopes ofnhelping some of my associates get started with their nown ezine! Please feel free to email me if you have nquestions about anything stated in these articles.

First of all, what is an ezine? An ezine is simply an nelectronic magazine or newsletter sent out periodicallynto a list of Opt In subscribers. Opt In means they nhave voluntarily signed-up to receive your ezine and nwere not added to the list without their knowledge ornpermission.

This is one of the reasons an ezine is so valuable to nyour business. Your subscribers have given their nconsent to receive announcements, promotions, ads, nrecommendations, etc. from you!

BUT, let me stress this, you must treat your subscribersnwith respect, provide valuable and helpful content and nbe there for them when they want or need you. You donnot want to USE them as a mailing list for every ad thatncomes down the pike.

Ok, to get started, one thing you should do is look nover a few successful ezines to get a feel of how they nare done. Each publisher will add his/her own style,npersonality, and soul to their ezine which in turn is nwhat makes it unique and successful.

A few ezines I would recommend are:
Rim Digest at http://www.rimdigest.com
Simple Biz Ezine at http://www.simplebizpublications.comnIdeas By Post at http://www.ideasbypost.comnand also, My Own Ezine at http://www.myownezine.com ;-)

These ezines are very well written and each publishe
has a very distinct style and personality to go alongnwith the useful content.

What you want to do with your ezine is establish a trustnrelationship with your readers. You want them to getnto know you and learn that they can trust you and you
recommendations. Be there for them if they have nquestions, if they need advice, or support, or if they njust want to talk with someone who has more experience.

Your ezine is much, much more than an advertisementnfor your business. It is a bond between you and you
readers. Treat it as such!

Ezine publishing can be a very rewarding, fun, nchallenging and if done right, profitable venture!

In next week's article, I will be dealing with layout,ndesign and format and also naming your new ezine.