Ezines: What, How, and When?

What:

Ezines (electronic magazines) are online magazines. Ezines are usually hosted on a website or sent via email. Based upon a variety of topics, much like a hard copy magazine, they are available to subscribers. Subscriptions are delivered on a regular basis just like traditional publications. Ezines allow the publisher to stay in contact with prospective clients without being a pain in the neck because they offer value: news and useful content. Most people agree that this is better than getting a barrage of sales messages.

How:

Ezine publishers and editors are very busy people. In addition to publishing the ezine, they are often running a business and involved in family life. Craft your pitch in a way that shows you have done your research. Convince the ezine publisher that you want to save him or her time by providing useable, relevant material. This not only helps to cut down on the editor’s work load (if the information is well-written), compelling copy can also enhance their image to subscribers.

In some cases there are also advertising and affiliate opportunities. Be sure to explore them to see if they are a good fit for you.

When:

The best way to pitch to an ezine is to start as a subscriber. Find a few you are interested in. Read a few issues to get a feel for the content. Once you know the style and the subjects, you can then create a pitch. Some ezines publish ads. Some ezine publishers and editors will even post a guest article. You just have to ask. Be sure to check submission guidelines about what is and is not accepted. Don't stray from the published guidelines.

Ezines are beneficial both for all concerned: the subscriber who gets valuable content, the ezine publisher or editor who decides to use freelance articles, and you because you can present your expertise to an already established subscriber list.

An additional note: serving as an ezine writer also enhances your credibility as an expert.

Ezine Examples

· Window Boxes

http://www.windowbox.com/

This site is dedicated to people that live in urban areas but grow their own plants. They have all kinds of resources that people can buy to help people grow various types of plants. If you scroll all the way to the bottom there is a box which allows people to subscribe to their ezine.

· Rim Digest Ezine

http://www.rimdigest.com/

This site is for people who run their own business. The ezine is chock full of information designed to help people run a successful home based business. The editor of this ezine has included contact information as well as advertising information.

· Free Homemade Gift Ideas Ezine

http://www.free-homemade-gift-ideas.com/

This site is for people who like to make crafts. Subscribers get emailed free craft ideas every so often. There are even some free projects right there on the site.