by Monique Harris

Because e-zines present an easy way to attract prospects, and maintain contact with your Web sites visitors, more and more online entrepreneurs are using them as a favored marketing tool. Of course as their usage continues to grow in popularity, competition for subscribers is also multiplying at an alarming rate.

Most of the experts will tell you that the best way to gain subscribers is to submit your e-zine to the appropriate di-
rectories and announcement lists. John Meer's E-zine List, http://www.meer.net/~johnl/e-zine-list/, and NEW-LIST
http://scout.cs.wisc.edu/scout/new-list, are probably the most popular recommendations. You can easily reach 50,000+
potential subscribers with these two alone.

However, with the large number of new submissions these resources receive on a daily basis, it's become much harder to make your publication stand out from the crowd. And even with the other e-zine directories and announcement lists in existence, you still need a couple of extra tactical devices to maintain your pace ahead of the competition.

I've recently discovered several ways to boost your subscriber base through associations. Associations provide access to a very targeted audience, and they're always on the lookout for ways to enhance their members lives - which is perfect for e-zine publishers. Here are a few of those ideas:

1) Send Press Releases to Association Publications.

The first thing you'll need to do is find a list of associations where potential subscribers might congregate. You can do this by visiting the American Society of Association Executives Web site at http://www.asaenet.org. This site features a searchable directory of associations in numerous categories.

Next, you'll either need to visit the appropriate organizations Web sites, or if they're not Web-based, simply call them and request an information package. Either their Web site, or information package will give you a brief rundown of the types of publications, they offer to members, including editors name, and so on.

2) Announce Your Publication Directly to Members.

Association membership directories can give you contact information on hundreds, or even thousands of potential subscribers. The cheapest way to reach them - (without sending unsolicited e-mail) - is to send postcards announcing your e-zine.

Not only are postcards inexpensive, they're read almost 100% of the time, unlike other forms of direct mail. And postage is only twenty cents per card, which means you can reach 1,000 people for only $200.

You can get 500 full-color postcards for under $150 from almost any local print shop. Or try Webcards at
http://www.printing.com which does 500 for $95.

3) Create a Customized Version of Your E-zine Especially For the Associations Members.

Associations frequently contract with companies to offer value added services to their members. That's why you'll often see them provide health insurance, car rental discounts, and the such, as part of the membership package.

Perhaps your e-zine can be included as a part of those value added services. Contact the coordinator of member services and pitch your idea. If it's chosen, each member of the organization will instantly be subscribed to your e-zine. You can't get a sweeter deal than that!

Monique Harris is the co-author of "Make Your Knowledge Sell." This 1,143 page manual is packed with info on creating, promoting and selling your booklets, e-books, audio tapes, newsletters, and other information products. For more info go to http://myks.sitesell.com/tfm.html .

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