The development of an email based ezine has never been easier. Today there are templates that can be used to publish beautiful email originated ezines that are comprehensive and user friendly.
If you use web builder software it is possible your package comes with this function within your existing service. If not you will likely need to look elsewhere.
If you are adept at html you can use a free template and customize it to meet your needs. One site that provides this code is alouwebdesign.ca.
Simply tinker with the code to change header, footer, photos, fonts, content, etc. and you should be able to send a well developed ezine by email without much trouble.
If you are more interested in something that might be a bit more user friendly you can visit almost any of the other ezine distribution and development sites out there. They include Vertical Response, Spark List, Mail Chimp, Campaign Monitor and Constant Contact to name a few.
In most cases you will need to pay a fee to develop and send emails though one of these programs. Most will provide a tracking system that allows you to monitor virtually all aspects of your email ezine delivery and how well it received. Most will also offer a free trial period to test their system.
If you don’t have web builder software that can accommodate a template based email ezine and you don’t want to pay to have the privilege of using one and you don’t understand the coding of html then I might suggest developing a group submission program through a site like Google Groups or Yahoo.
You can effectively manage most aspects of the email delivery and subscription process using these free tools, but in some cases you will need to understand that many free programs will include outside advertising to pay for your free use of their service.
It is possible to develop your email ezine in these programs with the rich text function on. You can then embed photos or logos if you want to have some diversity and color within your email. Otherwise the primary function of your email will be text and links.
Many subscribers don’t mind this as long as it is quality content they trust and look forward to. In other words you can’t mask quality by a smart design. That being said, a smart design often increases the perceived value of a high quality ezine or newsletter.
Ezines are still an effective tool in marketing your business and a great way to keep in touch with your clients and potential customers.
What I might suggest is using your email ezine to give your prospects a taste of what they can learn. Place a tantalizing paragraph or two in your ezine with a link to your website that will encourage the reader to visit your website to discover the rest of the story. You don’t need to include an entire story in your ezine itself.
The idea is to get them to come to your website, so make the entire process integrated and highly clickable. If they choose to share your email – all the links back to your primary website go with it.
Feed the consumer with quality content and they will gladly venture to your business website to learn more, and perhaps spend a little money once they get there.
Scott Lindsay is a web developer and entrepreneur. Make your own website in just 5 minutes with HighPowerSites at: http://www.highpowersites.com or Build A Website at: http://www.buildagreatsite.com. Start your own ebook business with BooksWealth at: http://www.bookswealth.com
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