3) In your article, throw in LINKS to related articles you've written or been featured in, when appropriate.

Your readers will appreciate additional information and resources, and it's one more chance for you to demonstrate your expertise and credibility. (See how I did this in item no. 1?)

4) Directly after your article, give a quick PROMO BLURB, mentioning your e-books, reports, or workshops, if you offer them.

Why right after article and before anything else? If someone reads your article and says to themselves, "Gee, that was great information!" They'll be ready to hear what else you have to share on that subject.

A great lead-in for your blurb is: "Did You Like Today's Article? If you did, you'll LOVE my [e-book, report, upcoming workshop, etc.]..."

5) In each issue, offer a TESTIMONIAL from one of your clients or customers.

I saw another e-zine publisher doing this last year and thought, "What a great idea! She's giving her readers further reason to try her services."

I now do this regularly for my "AKB MarCom Tips" e-zine, Which features tips on writing "copy that sells" (http://www.akbwriting.com). After article and promo blurb, I have a small section that says "What Our Clients Are Saying." In each issue, I feature a short testimonial from one of my copywriting clients.

6) Tell us what YOU'RE all about!

At end of your ezine, take at least 10 lines and give a concise description of YOU and what you have to offer your readers.

Because my own newsletter appeals to such a wide audience, I wanted to make sure that I was able to include testimonials from folks from every level of computing experience. I have found four best testimonials from my readers, and testimonials represent all levels of computer users from new computer user, to experienced computer enthusiast, to computing professional. Two of four testimonials address new user, each from a different perspective.

Depending on where I place an ad swap or announcement, I have enough range in my testimonials to provide incentive to anyone to subscribe to my ezine. I have even updated my subscribe page to include all four testimonials, so that anyone contemplating subscription, will discover at least three more reasons to subscribe.

My readers tell my story best, and vast majority of folks who will be reading my ad want to know what my readers think of my ezine, before they are willing to consider subscribing. If you would care to see my testimonials in action, please feel free to visit my subscribe page to see for yourself:

http:/ opica.com/lists/WindstormComputing

The point is, you need to try out different ads all time. In their order of importance, two ad structures that provided best returns from my announcement ads have always come from: 1. testimonials, and 2. ads that included tips or materials from my newsletter,

Announcement lists are a great source for testing out your ad structure, and discovering what works and what does not work. But, in time, you will notice that what has worked before, does not seem to have same pull that it used to. It is at this time that you need to start exploring other great avenues available for producing new subscriptions.

The other day I was cruising around, and I realized why, after a time, why we get such a slim return from our postings on announce lists... Between all 20 or so lists that I submit to, there are maybe 2000 subscribers between them, and my bet is, most of those subscribers are people like you and me looking for their own subscribers!