Your newsletter is not only a powerful list building tool, but it can also be used as a highly effective and profitable advertising tool. As you develop and build your list, you will earn a 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 1000 subscribers, you can accept advertising from third parties. These are people who pay to advertise in your post. The ads you can offer are:
- classified ads
- Sponsor Ad Main/Features
- solo ads
Classified Ads: impactful little ads which are typically 5-6 lines (60 characters) in length. It is usually placed towards the bottom of the newsletter.
Sponsor Ads Main/Features: these will be a little 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 are sent by themselves to the entire subscriber database and will typically be 3 times longer than the lead sponsor ad.
Ad Exchanges: they are advertisements that you will exchange with other publications. This is a great way to build your subscriber list or any free offer. Again, please wait until you have over 1000 subscribers before doing this. Take care that the newsletters with which you exchange 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 they are. They have made a positive decision to join your newsletter and have placed their trust in you as a publisher 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:
- Build 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 publication and responsible advertising. Don’t place too many ads in your newsletter, as this will annoy readers and lead to less response from your advertisers.
- Don’t over-advertise: Nothing is more annoying to your subscribers than a daily barrage of ads in their mailboxes. This makes them feel like dollar bills and is not a form of respectful advertising. One or two solos a week are 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 they can use and you’ll get a 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 parser to go through filters;
- Don’t use the word just ad in the subject line or as a heading;
- Put your disclaimer at the bottom, not the top.
These methods will ensure a better open rate and drive more clicks, more clicks = satisfied advertisers. Big click = returning customers.
Try to target Solos to your subscribers, put some suggested themes 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 likes a bargain, and their advertisers are no exception. Here are some suggestions:
2 for one ads: Always a favourite. Another variation is “buy one, get the other for half the price.” For repeat advertisers, you can give a loyalty bonus or % off.
Discount packages: Discount price ad groups or special price ad packs are always popular with advertisers.
Advertising with your newsletter can bring you some extra income, but don’t expect a lot. 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 cliché “take care of your subscribers and they will take care of you”.
