More and more business professionals are deciding to offer an ezine as a way of building online credibility. Those same people have interesting networking opportunities with the subscribers of their ezines – especially if they understand that their subscribers are professionals who all have similar interests.
First and foremost, I am hoping it is understood that spamming one's subscribers is not just foolish- it's just shy of a death wish. Not only will you lose all of your subscribers, but you'll run the risk of losing your Internet account as well. Don't even THINK about it.
But other avenues are open to networking with your subscribers. Here are some thoughts:
- You might include a "Subscriber of the Month" spot in your ezine. This could be an opportunity for subscribers to introduce themselves, or for you to recognize an important contributing subscriber.
- Ads in your ezine are networking opportunities with your subscribers- especially if you have a set format for the ad that reads something like:
Hi, I'm Nancy Roebke with Profnet, Inc. I specialize in helping businesses find more business. A good lead for me would be business professionals looking to stop cold calling.
- Reader surveys are EXCELLENT networking tools. I recently wanted to find out if there was a need for a specific service that I was considering adding to my list of services. I designed a survey that helped me determine that need, and what an acceptable price range would be.
Editors have used surveys to determine whether to change formats, change content topics and change frequency. Subscribers are very helpful with these topics.
Surveys involving opinions on important topics related to your ezine could be very useful for networking. Ask a question- and then print answers from your subscribership. This is a great way to find people who THINK alike!
- Your subscribers are usually more than happy to accept an occasional mailing from you, asking for their help, or asking them what help they might need. In fact, no ezine that I subscribe to has ever contacted me asking me what help I might need. In my ezine, I regularly request that readers submit requests for help, with the promise that I'll do my best to help them or find someone who can.
Tips for Ezine Subscribers
SUBSCRIBERS can turn their subscription into a networking opportunity, as well. Here are a few things that a subscriber can do to "network" through the ezines they subscribe to:
- Contact the authors of material that you read that you find very helpful. Saying "Thank You" is a very good way to start a good networking relationship.
- Let the editors of ezines know what you think of the content. I don't know an editor who isn't interested in both positive feed back and constructive criticism.
- Use the ezines you subscribe to as a source for getting help. If you let editors know that there is a topic that would help you, most will seek out that info – as long as it fits the topic of the ezine.
- Pay attention to ads. They are a great place to "meet" new suppliers and folks in your same profession. Both open up great networking opportunities.
Be proactive, both as an Editor and as a subscriber. The most passive vehicle- an ezine- can become a much more active source of networking opportunities, as long as YOU are active about it!
