How do you get newsletter subscribers?

[P Page]

Hi David. I am new to email marketing. How do you get your subscribers to sign up?
Patti

[David Wallace]

Usually a sign up box can be placed somewhere on your web site. For us, we have a sign up box directly on the home page and another one at the end of each archived newsletter which is placed online. Additionally with many email marketing software programs like Constant Contact, your newsletter can be forwarded to others which would then allow them to sign up.

[Robert]

Hi Patti,

Following up on what David wrote...

- Make it easy for people to subscribe. Use a subscription form and put it (or link to it) on every page of your site.

- Don't require too much information from subscribers. Just an email address will usually be enough. If you need demographic info, then try and keep it to a minimum.

- State up front that you won't sell or rent email addresses.

- Put samples of your newsletter on your site so it is easy for potential subscribers to see what they will be getting.

- Provide content that will keep your audience interested and wanting to open your messages.

- My favorite: Find other sites that publish a newsletter that targets a similar audience as yours. Then, swap space on the "thank you for subscribing" landing page that people see after subscribing to each newsletter.

For example, on my site after someone subscribes, they are automatically taken to this page: http://www.searchengineguide.com/subthanks.html

On that page you'll find my recommendation to subscribe to Jill Whalen's newsletter with a signup form. Jill does the same on her post-subscription landing page.

You don't have to limit it to just one newsletter that you swap with. Just don't overwhelm the visitor with choices or the response rate will go down. Expect the same from the sites you partner with.

- Along the same lines, find complimentary newsletters and swap ads for your newsletter.

[P Page]

Thanks guys for the great advise. I will have to get into this this weekend when I have some time.

Patti

[copywriter]

Patti, you can also search for newsletter directories whose purpose is to compile ezines into easily searchable databases. Then, people visit those databases and sign up for your ezine and others.

Karon

[WiteKnite]

Originally Posted by Robert

My favorite: Find other sites that publish a newsletter that targets a similar audience as yours. Then, swap space on the "thank you for subscribing" landing page that people see after subscribing to each newsletter.

Thanks for the great suggestion, Robert. I just set that up on my site. When people sign up for my ezine, just like you said, they land on the "Thank you" page. Now I can invite them to sign up for other ezines with no danger of them getting distracted before signing up for mine!

[divshow]

I'm a little late chiming into this topic, but I agree with all that was mentioned, plus I signed up with Subscription Rocket. I have received a lot of signups for my newsletter through this program. If you are interested in something like this you can check them out here: http://www.subscriptionrocket.com/cgi-bin/r.cgi?r=7663

[bigdawg8330]

I am using a program called Namo Web Editor 5.5 to make my website. I have inserted the form (i.e. there is a box to enter name and a box to enter email address and a submit button). I have done nothing with the submit button so if I preview the webpage in my browser and click on the submit button nothing happens. I am trying to figure out what to do with the button so that I get the information typed in the boxes. I tried linking the submit button to mailto: (my address) but when I preview it and click submit an email box comes up. Most people have newsletters and have on their webpage have a sign up form like the one I am trying to figure out. Can you guys help me? I can write html on this program also so you really do not need to know how this web editor works. Thanks a lot.

[wayne h]

Make sure you take advantage of viral marketing opportunities presented by the newsletter.

For example, place a "forward to a friend" section at the bottom of the e-mail. It will let your readers know that you want them to send the e-mail along to their friends. Of course, you will want use some nice language like, "If you found the contents/information/tips [found in] this newsletter helpful, be sure to forward it to your friends and business associates."

Or similar type wording.

Many people want to share the e-mail with their friends, but are occasionally reluctant to do so. Let them know that forearding is not only alright, but encouraged.

Be sure to place a link back to the sign-up page for new readers to add their name and e-mail to your subscriber list.

Best wishes on your success.

Wayne Hurlbert

[Robert]

...place a "forward to a friend" section at the bottom of the e-mail

Very good idea.