[epub] Re: building subscriber base

[jon7711 <jon7711@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi,

Here a couple of ideas that have worked well for me.

1. Use a popup window to gain subscribers (if you have a web
site). I know I'm going to hear it from some folks for
suggesting this, because popups can be pretty annoying, but
you can cookie it so it only pops up for first time
visitors. Although I recently removed mine from my site
because I wanted a more professional look, it did work
dramatically.

2. I use two pay-per-subscriber programs -- Worldwidelists
and NewslettersforFree. Both are decent. Don't ever expect
the same quality of subscriber from these services as you
will get from a person who double opts-in from your site (or
a link in your newsletter), but still worth the money, IMO.
I always use a double opt-in process with the third party
systems (as well as on my site), and I never go for their
pre-checked checkbox option. Don't make it *hard* to
subscribe, but don't skip important steps in the process or
complete them for the potential subscribers. You will, of
course, get less subscribers this way, but you will get
QUALITY subscribers. Numbers don't matter. Besides, RPG
people are generally pretty computer savvy, so I imagine you
won't have many "I can't figure it out" situations with your
subscription process.

3. If you haven't done so already, Subscribe to Ezine-Tips
[ http://www.ezine-tips.com ] and read the archived articles
at the web site until your eyeballs hurt. Brain Alt really
is the man.

4. Keep the content unique, like you said. I think it's OK
to publish an outside article once in a while (a long while
:) ), but there's so much crap out there that's just the
same stuff rehashed over and over and over. Don't be one of
those lazy guys. IMHO, if you consistently publish quality,
unique content, you WILL SUCCEED (eventually). If you pour
your heart and soul into your writing, people WILL
subscribe.

5. If you ever get discouraged about slow-growth, think
about a print publication equivalent of your newsletter --
one that is in your same niche, and also pretty much started
from scratch. How many years have they been publishing, and
what is their subscriber base? Now figure out how many
subscribers they gained per year, with much, much more money
invested than for an online publication. Think you got slow
growth? Think again.

Jonathan Rubinstien
Publisher, Editor, and Janitor: The Hotrodder
http://www.hotrodders.com






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