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Head-Slapping, "Why Didn't I Think of That?" Reasons
to Sign Up for Your Clients' Ezines Right Now
by
Dina
Giolitto
I
sign up to receive my clients' ezine mailings. It's not that
I'm a compulsive, interest-eclectic, "must know everything
at all times" internet geek. (I am one, but that's not
why I sign up for the ezines.)
I
do it because ezines are a great way for me to keep tabs on
my clients. Ezines keep me hooked in to the hot happenings...
even when clients are being passive; that is, not currently
booking me to work on their copywriting and marketing.
I
shouldn't have to convince you of the obvious: that signing
up for the ezines of your clients and prospects is definitely
a good thing. But while I'm here, why not fuel your Purposeful
Passion and tap out 6 Reasons to Sign Up for Your
Clients' Ezines Right Now?
Reason
1. Genuine interest.
Here's
a great way to show potential or existing clients that you're
genuinely interested in what they do: sign up for their email
newsletter. You ARE interested, aren't you? If you're not,
that may be a signal that this subjectmatter is not your cup
of tea. And if that's the case, why force it? If you're not
sure, sign up anyway and immerse yourself in the subjectmatter.
Curiosity may have killed the cat, but it could land you some
paid work.
Reason
2. Exposure potential.
As
an ezine publisher myself, I know that you "get to know"
your subscribers. The stand-outs engage email discussions
with you after the mailings... others have cool-sounding domain
names that you can't resist exploring. If your client has
developed an "out of sight, out of mind" attitude
towards you, it never hurts to show interest in their latest
ezine mailing or offer up an article you wrote in the hope
that it may get published next month. At the very least, it'll
get you noticed!
Reason 3. Instant client resource.
Ever
have a relatively new copywriting or marketing client appear
from left field and drop a hot potato project in your lap?
You want to churn out some great content for them, but you
need background info like yesterday. If you were on the ezine
list, you may have already been updated on the goings-on,
and a simple email sort of your inbox would produce the info
and key links that you need to proceed with speed.
Reason
4. Side revenue potential.
You
don't need a formal invitation to become an affiliate of your
client's products, do you? If the goods match your marketing
mix, why not watch for new product releases in future ezine
mailings? Instead of having to ask what types of offers they're
running, you'll already have the details handy and can use
them as you see fit. Sign on for instant sidestream and win
the favor of your colleagues in the process.
Reason 5. Mastering the voice.
Great
copywriters know that it's not just about accurate information
and good grammar. It's about emulating the writing voice of
your client so you can "speak through them" as you
create their marketing materials. Been trying like heck to
capture the essence of your client's communication, so that
you can duplicate it next time you do work for them? The inspiration
you seek could be lurking right in their email newsletter.
Reason
6. What they're NOT doing.
Whether
you're a web designer or creative marketer, copywriter or
virtual assistant, your client's ezine is the perfect opportunity
to scan for what's missing and then assert yourself. You could
say something like, "Hey, I noticed that great contest
you ran last month; how about a press release to go with it?"
Or, "Your ezine content is really appealing... ever thought
about dressing it up with a spiffy design?"
Some
ezine sign-on tips:
Get
an alternate email address.
Before you go hog-wild subscribing to every ezine
in creation, consider this. Your work email inbox is chaotic
enough as it is. Open an account with Google or Yahoo and
use that email address to sign up. You will quickly accrue
an amass of ezines that you can pick through whenever you
have a free moment.
You
don't have to read every issue! Your clients
understand that they're not the epicenter of your universe.
You have business to attend to; it's okay to skip a few mailings
if you're strapped for free time.
Think
of it as "supporting your virtual office mates."
When you had a cubicle job, you had coworkers to swap baked
goods with, play on the company softball team with and kibbutz
with at happy hour. Involvement gets you noticed and that
brings future opportunities. So, get involved! Sign up for
those ezines and show your team spirit. It's just one simple
thing you can do to foster great long-term business relationships.
Copyright
2006 Dina Giolitto. All rights reserved.
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