ALTERNATIVE 2: THE MINI E-MAIL COURSE OR REPORT

These are very popular right now. You simply create several e-mails' worth of content to spread out over a certain amount of days, and set them up on your autoresponder.

Many sites offer 7-day courses or reports, and quite frankly, many of them are awful. So here's a chance for YOU to stand out. Make sure yours offers really useful or interesting content that's more helpful than salesy.

For example, say you're a small business coach. You could offer a course called "5 Ways to Make This Your Most PROFITABLE Year Ever!" Just sit down and list 5 ways, then write a few paragraphs of copy under each.

Then write one final sales message that you'll add on to end of series as 6th message. This should be a friendly invitation encouraging reader to call you for a consultation, buy your book, sign up for your workshop, etc.

Paste all messages into an autoresponder series, set timing to what you want (e.g. every day or every few days), and voila -- you've got an e-mail course!

ALTERNATIVE 3: PROMOTIONS ONLY

If you offer products on your site that don't lend themselves well to creating related content, just offer what you've got!

Give your visitors chance to rece1ve special offers that will save them money at your site. The trick to high sign-up rates is to make them feel as if they'll be part of an exclusive group. Use words like "special, exclusive, limited, VIP, first looks, discounts, savings, club, and members-only."

For example, one site that I frequent sells discounted designer clothes and handbags. (Hooray!) During my last visit, they invited me to sign up for "discounts, exclusive offers, and first looks." I jumped at opportunity!

Don't underestimate your visitors' interest -- many of them WILL sign up for e-mail offers if you politely extend invitation and make them feel special.

Just make sure not to overdo your messages to this crowd. Keep your blasts to a maximum of once a week. Otherwise your readers will get irritated and may unsubscribe.

© 2003-2005 Alexandria K. Brown

3. Give good REASONS to attend Simply saying "online party - join us" isn't enough. Not even saying "games and prizes" is enough anymore. Get creative and have a good reason for having your party. Such as announcing a new product not released yet, giving away free items (be specific in your email!), or featuring a specific type of product on your website. Informational chats are good as well, such as one that explains what a certain non-familiar product is.

4. Make a SCHEDULE If you have monthly parties introducing or featuring specific products, attendance is going to be better than if you just have them at random. Weekly is best for repeat guests, but you also do not want to burn your guests out offering them same products. Monthly would work best, since it's not as often but still creates that habit. Make sure you have it on same day every month (such as 1st, 10th, 15th...something easy to remember).

Don't forget to get creative with your parties! With so many offering online parties today, you really need to make yourself stand out. Granted if you do follow first two steps, you WILL have a much better response since instead of just other wahms you will have a targeted group that may not be familiar with online parties. Even still, there is always room for improvement. ;)

Good luck with your next online party!