10 Critical Things To Do Before You Spend A Dime In Advertising

"Research?"

Let's say it again?

"Research"?Grrrrrrrr.

The word "research" can make many eBusiness owners cringe. Why? Because it sounds like such hard work.

Let's analyse the word itself. "Search" means to go looking for something and "re" means "again". Put them together and it means to go looking for something again.

Guess what?

Research is hard work. However, to survive online research must be done and it must be done on a regular basis. So if you don't like doing research, well basically, that's too bad. It's time to take it by the hand and make it your friend because you need to do research to be a successful eBusiness owner for these reasons:

  • Research is going to take time, however, in the long run it's going to save you a lot of money.

  • Research is what's going to set you apart from everybody else. By taking the time to research hot topics, hot websites and the latest techniques of Internet gurus you are going to learn what is currently working and what is currently not working ? taking advantage of the mistakes that others have made ? and that information alone is priceless.

  • Research is going to make you look like an expert. People will want to join your list, belong to your private site, read your books because they know you spend the time researching the latest up to the minute trends and techniques.

  • Research is what the majority of eBusiness owners avoid doing like the plague. Why? Because people are inherently lazy and if there's an easier way of getting from (a) to (b) people will consistently choose that route.

  • Guess what? By doing research that other people hate doing you will become a valuable regular source of information to an unlimited number of people.

So let's say the word again and this time let's say it slowly and with a smile?

:O) R E S E A R C H :o)

See, it doesn't seem so awful now, does it? Because research is what is going to save you a lot of money, make you a lot of money, and research is what all successful Internet marketers do on a regular basis.

It's time consuming

It's annoying

Sometimes it's a right royal PITA (Fill in the blanks with this one ;O))

However, it's a necessary evil so let's learn to really love it.

Okay, now that I hope you are feeling a little warm and fuzzy towards doing research ;o), what every Internet marketer must do on a regular basis is research what advertising works.

And the first step is to find a newsletter/ezine to advertise in and to do that you need to spend a bit of time collating some information.

Here's 10 things to do before you spend a dime on advertising:

  • Take time time to look at the newsletter publisher's website.

  • If you like the website then subscribe to the ezine and look at the format of the ezine closely.

  • Contact the publisher and ask the following questions:

  • What is the number of subscribers?

  • Has each subscriber specifically asked to be subscribed to the list or has it been automatic through a co-op etc?

  • Is double opt-in used ie. Has each subscriber confirmed their request to subscribe?

  • How often and what days of the week is the ezine published? It is generally believed that Tuesday through Thursday are the best days for readership, however, I know of many successful ezine publishers who publish regularly on a Friday or Saturday targeting weekend readership.

  • Is the ad published in the newsletter itself or is it published as a separate ad sheet (newsletter preferred).

  • Will the publisher use your choice of subject line and, if so, will it just say your subject line (always preferred) or the words "SOLO AD" and then your subject line?

  • Is there a queue before your ad will be published (this is a really good sign)? A queue usually means that ad results are good and the ezine is a recommended advertising source.

    By taking the time to wait for these answers and going over the responses carefully you will immediately be able to place ezines in rankings of importance as a result of the answers you receive.

    The more "yes" answers you get to the above questions the higher the quality of the readership will be. The number of subscribers is not an indicator of how well your ad will pull. Quite often newsletters with low subscribers pull as well as newsletters with thousands of subscribers.

    The bottom line at all times is the sales you receive as a result of your ad placement. The higher the readership quality the higher quality prospects and customers you will receive and the less refunds you will have to process :O).

    So next time that you're in two minds about doing things the quick way (looking for quick results with no research, high chance of monetary loss) or the slow methodical way (looking for quality results, possible delayed gratification, definite monetary savings in the long term) remember that Turtle who gave a certain self-confident Hare a big run (pardon the pun) for his money.

    Now which one are you?that Turtle or that Hare?

    Copyright 2003. Karin Manning. All Rights Reserved.

    About The Author

    Karin is the webmistress of http://www.reprintrights4u.com/earnprofitsmonthly. Subscribe to her newsletter Net Wealth with up to the minute tips and techniques for growing your business online by visiting http://www.reprintrights4u.com/earnprofitsmonthly today.

    karin@reprintrights4u.com


    AddThis Social Bookmark Button

    In The News:


    Webcomic Wire - 10/9/08
    Comixtalk, AZ - Oct 9, 2008
    The Floating Lightbulb posts about an opt-in reader email listing service called Ezine Directory. The Beat reports that Ambrosia Publishing is going on ...

    Online marketing on the rise
    Siliconrepublic.com, Ireland - Oct 10, 2008
    The party also uses email alerts and publishes a regular ezine to keep the public up-to-date with new policy documents and statements. ...

    Long Story Short School of Writing Partners with Colorado Free ...
    MediaSyndicate (press release) - Sep 16, 2008
    Known as the “nice” publishers in the highly competitive world of online publishing, they have 3000 subscribers to their ezine and publish its newsletter ...

    Top 10 Webmaster Challenges
    American Chronicle, CA - Oct 9, 2008
    You can publish an ezine on a weekly or monthly basis just to let your users be informed about the latest technology you´ve added to your site. ...

    pacific

    Ulamila Kurai Wragg Named Managing Editor Of Pacific Magazine
    pacific, HI - Sep 30, 2008
    Earlier this year, it switched from being a bi-monthly print publication to an on-line only “eZine.” “Ulamila will play a key role in completing Pacific ...

    Interview with Gordon Clemmons, Editor of ShadeWorks
    Blogcritics.org, OH - Oct 2, 2008
    I own a company focused on the online world of the publishing industry, so it wasn't too big a step to start an online magazine for horror writers. ...
    ezine publishing - Google News
  • Your Ad Here

    Games at Buy.com

    Holiday Home Store at Buy.com

    10 Tips For Ezine Publishers

    1. Many Ezine Publishers use too many styles of separatorin their Newsletter. I recently saw an Ezine that used no less than 7 different separators: (+), (-), (~),... Read More

    Why Dont My Subscribers Listen to Me?

    I received a very good question from a subscriber and I wanted to share it with you:"I have almost 500 people sigend up to receive my newsletter... Read More

    The Nitty-Gritty Of Ezine Publishing

    I sat here this morning, and decided to work out exactly how much time I use on creating my weekly ezine, and I almost kinda shocked myself.... Read More

    Print On Demand Questions

    Print on demand (POD), a cross between self-publishing and digital technology, is a hot publishing trend. Your book will be printed within weeks, but POD is still... Read More

    Who Is Your E-zine Really FROM?

    One morning this past fall, I was going through my e-mail inbox, relentlessly deleting junk mail. As you're likely well aware, many spam messages are made to... Read More

    Top 10 Tips to Give Your Newsletter Impact!

    There are thousands of email newsletters or "ezines" produced every week, and most of them have great material and are written by passionate people who want to... Read More

    Understanding Ezine Publishing!

    I can remember my first reaction to word "ezine". What is it? The word "ezine", (pronounced ee-zeen), is a shortened version of "electronic zine", which is a... Read More

    Employee Newsletter Ideas - 7 Creative Ideas for Your Employee Newsletter

    Employee newsletters are an effective tool to communicate with your employees. Here are 7 employee newsletter ideas...#1. Provide Information about Your CustomersThe more familiar your employees are... Read More

    PublishAmerica - Publishing Parasites

    I have to admit to being readily impressed by company names. Maybe it's an age thing. You see, I was around when we had nationalised industries here... Read More

    Are You Getting The Most Out Of Your Ezine?

    There are two reasons to publish an ezine. 1.) Give people information about your site, your product, or your industry. 2.) Keep your website information... Read More

    How Many Articles Can An Author Write As An Expert In A Field?

    More and more smart business people are finding the value of writing articles and putting them online in order to propel their expert status in their field.... Read More

    What Ive Learned From My Subscribers

    As editor/publisher of Book Promotion Newsletter, I am fortunate in having an eclectic group of subscribers who number in the thousands. The ezine is interactive and subscribers... Read More

    Email Newsletter Format: HTML or Text

    An email newsletter is probably the most effective way to communicate with your target audience. One of the main considerations before you create and deliver an email... Read More

    5 Tips for Catching Errors in Your Manuscript

    What is your worse fear as a self-publishing writer? For many, it's finding mistakes after publication.Imagine receiving boxes of books from the printer only to discover a... Read More

    Delivering Your Email Newsletter

    After creating your email newsletter, you face the challenge of delivery. With a printed newsletter, there's usually only one method of widespread distribution: the post office.Fortunately, though,... Read More

    The Future of Email Newsletter

    The future of email Newsletter - Llando Ford 07.28.2004 What are you doing with the Spam you receive? I'm sure you are not happy receiving it just... Read More

    Search Engines Can Be The Online Writers Best Friend

    It's an exciting time for online writers, with a wide array of options. With desire and well-directed effort, a good writer can end up with a variety... Read More

    Top 7 Techniques For Generating Subscribers To A Newsletter

    Imagine you are sitting at home relaxing reading a book and sipping on ice cold lemonade, your friend calls you up to tell you about a new... Read More

    10 Winning Ezine Publishing Tips

    1. Share your personality with your subscribers. Your subscribers are more likely to want to buy from someone they feel like they know.2. Involve your subscribers in... Read More

    Who Should Offer an Ezine?

    If you are a professional, consultant, coach, speaker, seminar leader, author or small business person, you need to develop and offer one of the most powerful Online... Read More

    The Biggest Mistakes That Can Spell Doom For You As A Newsletter Publisher And How To Avoid Them

    A lot of newsletter publishers spend a great deal of time wondering why they are not making money with their newsletters. Most of them expect to make... Read More

    Publishing Your Own Newsletter - Is It Worth Your Time?

    Is publishing your own newsletter worth your time and effort? Most publishers will tell you the rewards are well worth the investment. By publishing your own newsletter... Read More

    How to Choose a Good Newsletter Name

    Good newsletter names are usually 2-4 words. If shorter, they can't explain what your newsletter is about, and if longer, they will be hard to remember.When choosing... Read More

    Why Do We Publish?

    WHY DO WE DO THIS?A major "character" in Mark Salzman's first autobiography is his father. Sometimes his father paints. But his father hates painting. He likes it... Read More

    Gosh, What Am I Going to Put in My Email Newsletter THIS Month?

    So you decided to put out a monthly newsletter, because "that's what smart marketers do." This is a terrific idea! After all, really good content is the... Read More

    A Newsletter Publishers Main Task: Packaging Value Content

    The main task of a newsletter publisher is to select and package quality content of direct, practical relevance to its specific readership audience.This might sound quick and... Read More