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OK People - Let's Get Real!It's all about numbers - or so some ezine publishers would have you believe. 10,000 subscribers and counting! You get the picture...or do you? Now let me ask you - how many of those are actually READING your newsletter? Do you even know? Have you checked? You might really be surprised! I've got bad news - especially for those publishers who use free ads to entice their readers to subscribe. If your publication is business-oriented, you're lucky if 10% ever lay eyes on that wonderful work you labored so long over. And if it's filled with dozens and dozens of ads from all the free and low-cost ad placement programs now available, I have three words for you - - can you say, "scan and delete?" Because that's exactly what the majority of your subscribers are doing. I promise. That is, those who are even GETTING your newsletter. Now I know that most of you, especially the ones who are currently still running those free ads, know that what I am saying is true. Yet there are those among you that insist on hanging on to all those precious subscriber email addresses for dear life (even the ones that have bounced five times) on the outside chance that one day that email will gloriously begin to start accepting mail again and your count will be a true one. Fat chance. I'm not saying that all publishers do this; I know many that clean their lists on a regular basis. The long-time publishers who have grown their lists by traditional means certainly do. That's why they can command good prices for advertising - and get it. But how many of you have the guts to do what I did? MAKE THEM RE-CONFIRM EVERY YEAR. Go ahead - I challenge you. Make them take some sort of action that REQUIRES them to say "Yes, keep me on your list." Or else they don't get the newsletter. Period. No exceptions. Watch those subscriber numbers drop like a rock - and watch your "open rate" climb. Because what you're really after is sustained, loyal readership. Trusting subscribers who know that you are going to provide them with good, solid information. And you're going to have to give it to them - otherwise, you'll never accomplish what it is you intended to do when you started publishing your newsletter. Like making money. Other articles by this author »
About Cathy Bryant
Cathy Bryant's newsletter, the HomeBizJunction Herald, has NO outside advertising - free or paid. Just solid, reliable information to help those who want to start and succeed in their own home business. Subscribe at http://www.homebizjunction.com to read her reviews of business opportunities and products. Related
And here is another random article you might be interested in... Principles for Total Prosperity In Business And BeyondAre you looking for that "something" to give you the winning edge in your business? Is success still elusive even after burning both ends of the candle? Well, you may be looking for success in al the wrong places or you may not have an accurate picture of what true success is. In a fast-paced society that's driven by a mentality of "more is better," extreme stress and lack of fulfillment are inevitable in every facet of our lives, including work. In the quest for profit in the current win-lose business climate, the prevailing mind-set is that you can't really win without someone else losing. Businesses such as Enron, which are driven by the love of power and money instead of power of love, are proof that no matter how big a business it will eventually collapse in the absence of a solid foundation characterized by integrity, a strong work ethic and a values system that puts people first. The widespread misconception that external riches automatically lead to a richer inner life (i.e. happiness and even self-worth) becomes the driving force behind everything we do. As a result, our pursuit of success becomes narrowly defined as in "He with the most toys lives," rather than "He with the most joy lives." Sure, we have more "toys," but they only produce artificial joy. Since "you can't take it with you," there has to be a point to what you do. After all are you living to work or working to live? Sooner or later it becomes evident that no amount of money or trophies can fill the void created by a malnourished spirit. Then how is it possible to achieve success in business that's both lasting and fulfilling? How do you get the winning edge both in business and in your personal life? It's the best-kept secret by the world's most successful people who experience lasting success and a sense of fulfillment as well. While it's common knowledge that in retailing the determining factor for success is location, location, location, there's another little known element that has to do more with our approach to life. It's far more effective than mere "positive thinking," affirmations or stale traditional business strategies and practices. It's never subject to change (unlike everything else in life). It's something that has the power to produce total prosperity (from health to wealth) with a sense of fulfillment, purpose and real joy. It can also provide you with a short-cut for helping your business expand by stimulating creativity, thereby providing opportunities to positively impact your bottom line. But best of all it's free and it works. So what is this magic formula for success and total prosperity? Whether we realize it or not, we are spiritual beings experiencing the human experience and not the other way around. As such, we were meant to live a life of meaning, purpose and abundance, by connecting with our spiritual roots. This means that everything we do must be spirit-filled and spirit-directed. It's been my experience (as a young immigrant who came to this country with absolutely nothing, but eventually was able to overcome adversity and achieve success) that greater degrees of success can be achieved by anyone regardless of their circumstances, simply by implementing a system which I call The Principles For Successful Living. These are spiritually-based principles that have worked for me and for many of the world's most successful business people. They help create real winners and true success. These powerful principles, which are characterized by integrity, a strong code of ethics, giving and the honoring of all living things, provide practical solutions to many of the most perplexing problems that plague entrepreneurs and business owners today. Living by these principles is the difference between surviving and thriving, where you are not merely making a living but also making a difference. However, to achieve greater levels of success, you must be willing to explore new ways of thinking and abandon the conventional wisdom of "business as usual." Following are some of the key elements for anyone desirous of achieving "real success" (i.e. total prosperity - everything from health to wealth to a sense of higher purpose, meaning, fulfillment and real joy):
Obviously, there is much more to it than that (I go into this topic in-depth in my new book "The American Dream"). However, it's a good start for anyone searching for the path to real success and total prosperity. As my father used to say, "there are three types of people in the world: those who make things happen, those who let things happen and those who wonder what the heck ever happened." Understanding this concept can mean the difference between success and failure in business. So don't just wait for good things to happen to you or for your ship to come in. Instead, take action and swim to the ship trusting in the power of the principles for successful living to guide you to safe shores and glory. Now that makes good sense, and good business as well. Related
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