7. Have you reminded your readers right away that this is a *subscription* publication?

Don't let them forget that they *asked* to receive this! Something like this right under your masthead will do: "You've received this e-zine because you subscribed to it! If you wish to unsubscribe, please scroll to end for more information."

8. If you have a table of contents (TOC), do its listings match this issue's articles and features?

For example, if your TOC says your second feature in this issue is an article on Web site marketing, make sure it's right!

9. Have you included a copyright notice?

At end of your content, before your contact info, post "(c)" immediately followed by year and your name or your company's name. (For example, my copyright notice is (c) 2001 Alexandria K. Brown.) You should know that a copyright notice does not protect your ideas - instead, it protects way you express them.

10. Are correct advertisements in place?

Keep track of all your ad swaps and purchases in one main document to make this easy to look up each time. I use an Excel spreadsheet, which works great for me. Along top rule, I list each issue date. Down left side, I list my ad spots, which are sponsor ad, ad 1, ad 2, and ad 3.

11. Do you give clear subscribe and unsubscribe instructions at bottom?

The subscribe instructions are to help you virally grow your list. Your ezine will likely get passed on to others who'd like to receive it themselves. The unsubscribe instructions are just BECAUSE - it's plain courtesy, and law of land. : )

12. Does your subject line include both name of your e-zine and issue topic?

By seeing your e-zine title, your recipients will know e-mail is not spam. And by seeing issue topic, they will know what's in store for this issue.

Example: "Sara's Cash Flow Tips: Increase Your Income Today!"

13. Have you sent a test of issue to yourself or an associate?

Make sure it comes through reading well and looking great! (Check for any strange symbols that magically appear, odd breaks in copy, inactive links, etc.) And this is a GREAT time to give it a final proofread.

Business Worksheet for Refine Your Company's eNewsletter to Increase Its Viral Potential

1.] Date for your enewsletter relaunch.

2.] Think of a new name for your enewsletter.

3.] What problem(s) does your business solve for your clients?

4.] Create at least 4 powerful headlines to showcase main articles for your upcoming issues. Tip: Use a question for your headline - Do YOU Need A PR Makeover To Make YOURSELF Newsworthy?

5.] Make a list of unique resource information your target audience would find useful. Example: PR Savvy Female Entrepreneur (www.womensnewsbureau.com/PRenewsletter.htm), a monthly enewsletter published by Women's News Bureau, provides a list of special days, weeks, and months businesswomen can incorporate into their press releases to make them newsworthy.

6.] Think of special discounts or trial offers for each of your products and service that you can offer to your subscribers. Remember that they have to be exciting enough for them to pass your newsletter on their business associates. Everyone loves to be in spotlight. Showcase one of your clients every month. Introduce a staff member to highlight their expertise.