Your newsletter is not only a powerful list-building tool, it can also be used as a highly effective and profitable advertising tool. As you develop and build your list, you will earn good income when you advertise with your newsletter.
There are 3 ways to advertise with your newsletter.
- Your own “in-house” ads: your products/services
- Third Party Ads – Paid Ads
- ad exchanges
“Internal Ads” they are advertisements you place for the products/services you sell. These can be own or affiliate products/services. You will build good relationships with your subscribers, through your quality newsletter and quick responses to questions. Over time you will be selling your products and services. The trick is to always keep your offers highly targeted to the needs of your subscribers.
Third Party Ads: When you have around 1,000 subscribers, you can accept third-party advertising. These are people who pay to advertise in your publication. The ads you can offer are:
- classified ads
- Main/Features of Sponsor Ads
- solo ads
Classified Ads: shocking little ads which are usually 5 to 6 lines (60 characters) long. It is usually placed towards the bottom of the newsletter.
Main/features of sponsor ads: these will be a bit longer than the classified ones, with more benefits. These will be placed before the main feature or article in a post and will get more exposure.
Solo Ads: they send themselves to the entire subscriber database and will typically be 3 times longer than the main sponsor’s ad.
Ad Exchanges: they are advertisements that you will exchange with other publications. This is a great way to build your list of subscribers or any free offers. Again, wait until you have over 1,000 subscribers before doing this. Take care that the newsletters you exchange with have the same or greater number of subscribers.
Advertise to your list: Your newsletter subscriber base is critical to your business. Always remember, even if your newsletter is a free publication, treat your readers like the VIPs that they are. They have made a positive decision to join your newsletter and have placed their trust in you as the editor to deliver a good quality publication. They are your potential customers and no one is more important than them. Here are some points to keep your subscribers happy and not make them feel like dollar bills:
- Create trust – credibility: It is essential for your business to maintain and develop your credibility with your subscribers. You will do this by building relationships with them by publishing a quality post and responsible advertising. Don’t place too many ads in your newsletter as this will annoy readers and give your advertisers less response.
- Don’t over-advertise: Nothing is more annoying to your subscribers than a daily barrage of advertisements in their mailboxes. This makes them feel like dollar bills and is not a form of respectful advertising. One or two alone a week is enough. You’ll get better response this way and reduce unsubscribes.
- Conduct opinion polls/polls to find what subscribers like: always stay in tune with your readers. Like any editor of a publication, you should always give your readers the opportunity to express their opinions. This way, you’ll know what your subscribers are interested in and advertise accordingly.
- Target your advertising: Advertising according to the needs of your market (readers). Advertise products and services that they can use and you’ll get better response and more loyal readers.
Keep your advertisers happy: Here are some tips to keep your advertisers happy and encourage them to come back:
How to get return advertisers: Find ways to get your readers to open the email.
- contests;
- Eye-catching subject line;
- personalize;
- Email analyzer to go through filters;
- Don’t use the word just ad in the subject line or as a header;
- Put your disclaimer at the bottom, not the top.
These methods will ensure a better open rate and encourage more clicks, better clicks = satisfied advertisers. Big click = returning customers.
Try to target Solos to your subscribers, put some suggested topics on your ads page, to encourage advertisers to send you targeted ads to your subscribers. This will greatly increase clicks and returning customers.
Specials: Everyone loves a bargain, and your advertisers are no exception. Here are some suggestions:
2 for one ads only: Always a favourite. Another variation is “buy one and get the other for half the price”. For repeat advertisers, you can give a loyalty bonus or a % discount.
Discount packages: Discount priced ad groups or specially priced ad packages are always popular with advertisers.
Advertising with your newsletter can bring you some additional income, but don’t expect a large amount. Advertise responsibly and understand your obligation to your readers. Always remember the value of your readers and the fact that they are your potential customers. Keep in mind the old cliche “take care of your subscribers and they’ll take care of you”.