Sell
More Books With an E-mail Newsletter
by Alexandria
K. Brown, “The E-zine Queen”
NOTE:
Because many words in this article are likely to trigger sp^m filters,
we've disguised them with symbols (e.g. sp^m). This will ensure a higher
delivery rate if you use this article in your e-zine.
If you're selling
your book online, you're practically guaranteed to increase sales by publishing
an e-mail newsletter, or "e-zine."
Why? Well, for a start,
it's a super way to give readers a taste of your expertise and style along
with samples of your content. This ensures they'll come to be familiar
with you, trust you, and hopefully buy your book when they're ready for
more information.
Also, it's a great
way to *capture prospects* who aren't ready to buy your book when they
visit your site, but are still interested in the info you have to share.
Based on my own experiences
in marketing my manual, 'Boost Business With Your Own E-zine,' here are
7 ways to help increase book sales using an e-mail newsletter.
1. First thing:
Encourage e-zine SIGNUPS on your Web site where you promote your book.
Before you even begin
publishing, start collecting e-mail addresses. Place a signup form in
many places on your site to invite visitors to subscribe to your free
e-zine. This way, if a visitor isn't interested in buying
your book today, she can sign up for your free e-zine. Now
you haven't lost her, and she'll learn even *more* about your book from
being a subscriber.
E-zine publishers
also report GREAT signup results using pop-up and pop-under boxes at their
Web sites.
Examples: On my main
site, http://www.ezinequeen.com, I feature a signup form on EVERY page,
as well as a pop-up box. On my book sales site, http://www.ezinequeen.com/tutorial,
I have a pop-under box that appears once you close the main window.
Remember: NEVER sign
anyone up without her permission!
2. Feature EXCERPTS
and/or TIPS from your book in your e-zine.
These can be either
direct excerpts or short tips that summarize some of your content. Go
through your book and highlight individual tips or small sections that
could stand well on their own. Just don't give away the whole store! For
example, giving your readers a whole chapter of your book in each issue
is going overboard.
Besides lifting material
directly from your book, try some other spins on your topic such as a
list of top 10 tips, a how-to article, a list of resources, or a review
of a trend in the industry.
Example: One of my
clients, a life coach, has a hard-cover book out right now that features
101 tips on how to attract what you want in life. Each issue of her weekly
e-zine features one of those tips, along with a brief explanation
of how to implement it.
3. Directly after
your article, give a quick PROMO BLURB that shamelessly plugs your book.
Why right after the
article and before anything else? If someone reads your article/tip and
says to themselves, "Gee, that was great information," they'll
be ready to hear what else you have to share on that subject. Really pump
it up and have a good time with it.
Example: "Did
you like today's article? If you did, you'll LOVE my new book, 'Double
Your Business in Six Months.' It's jammed with more than 257 great ideas
to help you grow your business FAST. Learn more and order now at [Web
address here]. You can begin using my best tips within minutes!"
4. In each issue,
offer a TESTIMONIAL from one of your book purchasers.
Let your readers know
that many other people just like them ARE buying your book and LOVE it.
Idea: Create a small section in your e-zine for this purpose. In each
issue, feature a short testimonial from one of your readers here.
Example: "What
'Beauty Blastoff' Readers Are Saying: 'I can't tell you how much your
book has helped me improve my appearance. Thanks to your tips, I've lost
20 pounds, cleared up my skin, and rid of all my unwanted hair. Now my
rich ex-husband even wants me back. You're a saint!'" — Suzy
Smitten, Los Angeles, Calif.
5. Offer your readers
a SPECIAL DISCOUNT for a l1mited time.
Make your readers
feel special by offering them a special discount on your book when you
can. For best response rates, make it a limited time offer to lend a sense
of urgency. I did this with my manual when it first came out and got great
results.
Example: "For
Subscribers Only: Buy my book before midnight this Friday and receive
a 20% discount!"
If you can't give
your subscribers a discount, offer something else to make them feel special,
such as a bonus report or free phone consultation with their purchase.
6. Mention your
book in as many other places as possible in your e-zine.
Bottom line: The more
you mention your book, the higher your chances they'll buy. While your
opportunities are endless, here are a few ideas to start with:
- in your masthead
(This is where you give the reader info about your publication —
usually at the very top.)
- in your editor's
or publisher's note (This is where you give a personal note to your
readers.)
- in your article
(If you mention a certain point that you cover wonderfully in your book,
say so!)
7. To attract even
more prospects, advertise your e-zine in your everyday e-mail SIGNATURE
FILE.
You know what a signature
(or "sig") file is, right? It's that little blurb with contact
info that you can automatically insert at the end of every e-mail you
send. Besides your obvious contact information, give a quick plug for
your book AND e-zine.
Why? Well, if you
just advertise your book, some people will read your sig file and think,
"That's cool, but I don't want to buy anything right now." BUT
if you advertise your FREE e-zine, they'll likely take advantage of your
offer. THEN you've got them on your list.
Example: Here's what
I have at the END of my sig file, after my contact information: "BOOST
BUSINESS by publishing your own e-mail newsletter! Learn how now —
sign up for fr*ee how-to tips at http://www.ezinequeen.com."
(c) 2000-2003 Alexandria
K. Brown. All rights reserved.
ABOUT THE
AUTHOR
Alexandria K. Brown,
“The E-zine Queen,” is author of the award-winning manual,
“Boost Business With Your Own E-zine.” To learn more about
her book and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at
http://www.ezinequeen.com.
NOTE:
You’re welcome to “reprint” this article online as long
as it remains complete and unaltered (including the “about the author”
info at the end), and you send a copy of your reprint to alexandria@ezinequeen.com.
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©
2001-2003 Alexandria K. Brown. All rights reserved. 
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