E-ZINES 101: Introduction

"If you can send email, you too can publish your own E-Zine. It’s easy, fast, and you can make a bundle selling classified ads." 

I don’t deny that the ability to send your newsletter via email is perhaps the single most compelling reason to publish an email newsletter. But if you translated that concept to the physical world, it would be the same as saying,

"If you can stick a label on an envelope, put a stamp on it and drop it in the mailbox, you can publish a company newsletter."

Is that really the skill set you need to publish an E-Zine?

When you view E-Zines in these terms, it is easier to separate the distribution method from the other parts of the E-Zine publishing process.

The Skill Set Required for E-Zine Publishers

How many hats do you need to wear to publish an E-Zine? If you divided up all the tasks involved in publishing an E-Zine, and then wrote a job description for each one, you would need to fill the following positions.

=> Editorial Manager
Write appropriate articles
Edit articles
Proofread publication before distribution
Software: Must be able to use a text editor

=> Information Systems Manager
Database Management of subscribers on mailing list
Email server administration or
PC-based email administration

=> Marketing Manager
Develop subscriber base
Promote in announcement lists and search engines

=> Sales Manager
Establish advertising sales program
Manage ad insertions
Prepare and maintain a media kit

=> Finance Manager
Manage sales advertising revenues

Where do new E-Zine publishers run into trouble?

The single biggest mistake new E-Zine publishers make is to try to do it all without a clear plan. To develop a clear plan for your E-Zine, be sure to read our course on Planning and Development.

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