The success of your digital magazine, or e-zine, hinges on the quality of its content. High-quality, relevant, and engaging content is the cornerstone of a successful e-zine. This article will guide you through the process of planning and creating content for your e-zine, offering suggestions on the types of content you might include and tips for creating that content.
In the world of e-zine publishing, content is king. Consistently delivering superior quality content is the key to a successful e-zine. But what kind of content should you include? As the publisher, you are best positioned to understand what your audience wants. Here are some suggestions:
As an e-zine publisher, you are seen as an expert in your field. Over time, your readers will begin to trust your opinions and views on issues. You can leverage this trust by writing editorials. Use an editorial to share your viewpoint on a topical, perhaps controversial, issue. This strategy has an added benefit: readers will respond to your message, either endorsing or opposing it. Their feedback can be incorporated into a follow-up article in a future issue. You could also use the editorial space to establish personal contact with your readers. Write a short, chatty piece about what's been happening in your life lately, or introduce a new author or resource.
A feature article is a common and effective form of content in most e-zines. Here are some tips for writing good feature articles for your e-zine:
Keeping abreast of the latest developments and happenings in areas of interest can be challenging and time-consuming. Your e-zine can offer a solution to this dilemma by providing timely news on topics that might interest your readers. You may create a separate section for industry news, or you might devote an entire issue to news updates. This adds value to your subscriber and ensures that your e-zine is read every time.
Finding, tracking, and regularly visiting informative websites on a specific topic can be difficult and time-intensive. Many readers will appreciate a listing of the best resources on a subject. Website picks are therefore a valuable content idea for your e-zine.
Reviews offer a chance to guide your readers to the very best books, websites, music, or other products and services. You, the expert, tell them what is good and what isn't.
An e-zine is an excellent way to get readers to visit your website again, thereby creating "stickiness" to your site.
Publishing an interview with an expert is exciting, valuable content. And it is easy to conduct one via e-mail.
What sets apart the Internet and e-mail from traditional media is the potential for "two-way" communication, or reader interactivity. This is even easier with an e-zine.
Survey your readers. Ask a question. Request a vote on an issue or topic.
Reader feedback is extremely valuable - if you listen to it with a mind open to change, and act on it.
Building a discussion group around your e-zine is another way to promote interactivity while generating usable content in the process.
One more method of growing an online community around your e-zine and promoting interactivity is a Forum or Bulletin Board.
