10 Simple Ways To Expand Your Subscriber List

Here are 10 ways to expand your subscriber list:

1. Keep your subscription form easy to find on every web
page. Preferably, add it on your navigational bar. If the
form is to large for the bar or page, add a hyperlink and
send them to a popup or a separate page so that the previous
page on your site doesn't disappear. It is easy for them to
return.

2. Not only must the form be easy to see, it also needs to
be easy to read. Label each field. I've seen a few where I
didn't know what to enter. Be kind to computer readers
suffering from dry eyes, make the font large and easy to
read.

3. Do you write your own ezine articles? Add a "please
subscribe here line to your byline. Begin the line with a
benefit they get from subscribing and then add a few
invitational words along with a URL hyperlink. Example:
"Learn more about this topic. Subscribe to [name of your
ezine] by visiting...."

4. Generally, people are impulse buyers. So, give them
that impulse. Give away a free ebook. Instead of letting
them see that the ebook is free. Regularly charge for the
eBook. Six dollars is a good price, just explain them that
it is a limited special offer.

They will perceive it even more valuable when there is a
price connected to it. An example of the wording could go
like, "Normally this ebook sells for $6 at [your web site
URL or even a middle man ebook site]." Always give them a
reason why you are giving it to them free. Make the reason
believable.

5. Do you belong to networking groups, or attend other
events? Invite everyone you meet if they would like to
register for your ezine. Give them a story about the free,
but not so free, ebook offer. Always, make this offer
limited. In fact, have a list of these free but-not-free
ebooks, written either by you, affiliates, or from resale
right products. Move them around. Put one on the calendar
for January through December and then repeat them the next
year. Then in the third year, change it. Also, share with
them how easy it is to opt-out if they don't like the ezine
and they can keep the ebook.

6. Don't stop at networking groups, contact trade or
professional organizations you do or don't belong to that
have a high percentage of your type of readers. Ask for the
membership list. Look for the people you have identified as
your gatekeepers (people that know lots of others in your
target market). For accountants, it's lawyers and bankers.
Call them and introduce yourself. Ask if they could
recommend your ezine to a few of their friends. You can
also attend their networking events and ask, ask, ask.

7. Instead, or in addition to, calling the gatekeepers you
have identified on the membership lists, you can send them a
letter of introduction -- a direct mail piece. The piece
can ask them (a call to action) to visit your web site for
more information on your newsletter and/or receive a copy of
the free but-not-free ebook.

8. Share the wealth. Exchange recommendations to each
other's newsletter. Be prepared for these so that it
doesn't cost you valuable time when you are working on a
deadline. If you work with a virtual assistant, let them
respond to these opportunities. Prepare three or four
examples and offer the exchanger their choice to use one
that they feel is appropriate for their audience. Ask them
for a reciprocal and equal announcement.

9. Make comments and include your byline at the end.
Comments can be product review on Amazon, ezines you enjoy,
or local newspapers. Give suggestions, share your stories
on how it helped you, ask questions, or give ideas that
emerged from your reading. Blogs are also good places to
comment on as well.

10. It takes 7 times before people start to trust. Present
them 7 opportunities to have two-way conversations with you.
Not one-way conversations (you write, they read). Provide
the two-way with surveys, questions, contests, games, things
that they need to ask for are just a few. If you are
offering a contest, send them a testimonial from the winner.
If you can, create an opportunity for many winners. It
spreads the hope.

Copyright 2004, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.