KH: What methods do you use to promote your products or services within your ezine?

RK: The "Editor's Remarks" section of newsletter is most powerful section. That is section that everyone reads if they are going to read anything. So, if we have an important offering, we always endorse it in Editor's Remarks section. We've used many different ways to get people to buy.

Some examples are:

-- contests -- buy one get one free or buy one get one at a reduced price -- coupons -- discounts (i.e., 10% discount only by clicking on this link).

KH: How do you go about preparing your ezine for publication?

RK: First, we research and write an article - trying to keep it between 800 to 1000 words. While that's going on, I write Editor's Remarks section which will usually revolve around article topic. Then I put content into a premade template. I edit whole ezine about 3-5 times. Then I send it off to our Associate Editor for editing. Finally, Editor in Chief gets to edit it. It goes through at least three sets of eyes before it gets sent out.

KH: Any advice to future ezine publishers? Things to look out for or things to concentrate on when publishing an ezine?

RK: Provide original content specific to a niche group - don't try to be everything to everyone, concentrate on providing information that you're an expert on.

Be personable and reach out to your audience. If you can touch audience you will have a high retention rate. People don't just want information, they want to know who's talking to them, they want information to get a little personal.

Examine ezines that you stay subscribed to. Ask yourself why you like those particular ezines or newsletters. In other words, read a lot - don't get wrapped up in your own stuff, get out there and see what other people are doing.

The beauty of an ezine is that you have ability to try different things ... contests, ad swaps, discounts, coupons, HTML. Don't be afraid to try different things and see what works for your niche.

Bottom line: Never personally recommend anything to your list just to make a buck or two.

Now, back to question. The two promotional methods that work best for me are:

* Solo mailings to my subscribers, which I only send three or four times a year. That's because, if you bombard your list with solos, it can lead to a depressing number of unsubscribes.

* Writing product/service reviews. Again, make sure your review comes from personal experience, not a rehashed ad from someone else. Otherwise, your review will fall on deaf ears.

KH: How do you go about preparing your ezine for publication?

DG: Usually, I work on my ezine everyday. Sometimes, it's just a few minutes here and a few there. For example, if I discover a powerful quote, it gets added to *Empowering Thoughts* section of my ezine or, if I hear about either a free report or a free ebook, they might get added to *Enjoy Benefits* section.

Bottom line here: by getting your ezine ready ahead of time, your *send day* can be stress free.

KH: Any advice to future ezine publishers? Things to look out for or things to concentrate on when publishing an ezine?

DG: Great question ... just hope my response does it some justice; however, that would probably take a long article - maybe even a booklet. Anyway, to keep it short, I'll just offer following short list of suggestions and information:

* Ask yourself, " Why do you want to publish an ezine?" If it's just to make money, or because some guru recommends it, or because everyone else is doing it, or because you want status of ezine publisher, and so on, you won't succeed for long. That's because your readers don't care about what you want — they only care about what you can do for them.

* Before you start your ezine, educate yourself. Learn basics, such as how to format one, which list server you might want to use, best day to mail your ezine, and so on.

* Also, I'd suggest subscribing to some great ezines that cover area that yours will cover. Those ezines will give you some great ideas for your ezine. Don't, however, become a copycat. In other words, you want to add your personal touch, not serve up a rehash of what's already there.

* Yet another wise move for you: Before you decide on your publishing schedule ... daily, weekly, monthly ... or whatever, put together three to five ezines ... ones ready to mail. This will give you a good idea about how often to publish.

* Last, keep in mind that your ezine will be read by living, breathing, feeling human beings ... those folks want to connect with other living, breathing, feeling, human beings.