E-ZINES 301: Planning and Development

Publishing Strategies

Editorial Calendar

An editorial calendar lists major stories that you have planned for upcoming issues of your E-zine. Developing an editorial calendar helps keep you focused and on schedule in producing your E-Zine. If you cannot think of enough stories for the next 6 issues of your E-zine, then perhaps you should reconsider the theme of your publication.

Archiving Strategy

Determine where you will store your archived E-Zines. Storing past issues of your E-Zines on your Web site is an easy way to add content to your Web site on a continuing basis. You get the added benefit of providing your E-Zine advertisers with more exposure for their ads.

To archive your back issues on your site, create an archive directory and store your files in that directory. Create a web page for each issue and upload it to your Web site the day you publish your E-Zine. Keep an index of issues so your visitors can read them online.

Advertising Strategy

Will you accept advertising in your newsletter? You don't have to prepare an advertising policy yet, just start thinking about how many ads you plan to accept and how many subscribers you plan to have before you accept paid advertising in your E-Zine. If you plan to accept advertising within the next six months, consider running ads for Affiliate Programs that you are involved in. You will be able to measure your ad response and your readers will become accustomed to seeing ads in your publication.

Content Strategy

Where will you get your content? Write it all yourself? Hire writers? Use articles from guest writers? Use a content service? Your theme and the purpose of your E-Zine will help guide you to an appropriate answer for your publication. A popular content builder in E-Zines is publishing feedback from email questions you receive or comments from your Web site discussion board. Let your readers help you develop your Content.  

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