Creating Your First HTML Ezine

Written by Maria Marsala


The Basics

There are two different forms of HTML ezines. HTML = HyperText Mark-up Language - basically it'srepparttar language ofrepparttar 124298 World Wide Web. It's there, even if you don't know it's there. The end result of this "code" is a web page you view through your email program.

There are three types of ezines (at this time). Text ezines, those of you who remember typewriters, look like they've been typed. A simple HTML ezine contains color, bold, italics, and bullets and is created right in your email program. More complex HTML ezines contain graphics and are created as web pages. When you receive an ezine that contains color or pictures, that's an "HTML" based ezine.

It's very easy to make an HTML ezine if you know how to code HTML or have a web design program, or have a web design program (or webmaster). If you're designing an HTML ezine for your business, then branding is important. So use your webpage as your template. This way your newsletter and your website look consistent.

If you use an email list hosting service for your ezine, make sure you pick one that "strips" HTML emails. Then individuals can choose to receive "text only" emails from you even though you've sent out an HTML version. The service actually "strips"repparttar 124299 HTML codes and graphic codes from your email. Many services offer this stripping feature. However, in order to use it, you have to go to their site and register your email address. Then as part ofrepparttar 124300 registration process, they ask you to choose between text only and HTML.

There are services that will read information from subscribers and automatically set them up for HTML or text only emails based on what ISP (Internet Service Provider) or DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) service they use. For a list of service suggestions (I haven't used allrepparttar 124301 programs mentioned) go to tap here

The secret about HTML ezines is that all graphics are linked from your website to your ezine and are not attached to your email. The problems with HTML ezines are...

~~ in order for your readers to seerepparttar 124302 pictures you've placed in your message, they must be onrepparttar 124303 Internet. ~~ they are not accessible and/or readable to some disabled individuals. ~~ people who have older email programs or computers can't read them. ~~ many libraries use computers that cannot handle graphics. ~~ they take up quite a bit of bandwidth (space) on someone's email server and they take longer to download than text messages. ~~ they take much longer to edit and publish. ~~ some people purposely set their email to not accept HTML mail. ~~ some people have their email set on text only - and don't know it! ~~ for AOL users, ifrepparttar 124304 size ofrepparttar 124305 file is more than 20K, it will be sent out as an attachment. ~~ many people won't open attachments

YOUR OWN EZINE? THE PROS AND CONS

Written by Mary Anne Hahn


No doubt about it--having one's own ezine is an excellent promotional tool. Whether you sell goods or services, publishing an ezine is perhaps one ofrepparttar very best online ways to develop and maintain a potential, targeted customer base.

Should you have your own ezine? It depends on whether it would be worthrepparttar 124297 time and effort to you. A look atrepparttar 124298 following list of ezine publishing pros and cons should help you decide whether creating, building and maintaining an ezine of your own is right for you.

THE PROS

Marketing: Ezines provide you with an excellent way to find and targetrepparttar 124299 market(s) you are trying to reach with your products and services. Suppose, for example, that you write or sell cookbooks; a recipe or cooking tip ezine would surely attract a dedicated readership which, over time, begins to know, trust and like your information. These subscribers would also be most open to buying your books as well, or visitingrepparttar 124300 Web site where your books are sold.

This applies to pretty much any type of product or service you sell. Whether you are a Web site designer looking for freelance work, own an auction or shopping mall site, or sell your own handmade crafts, creating a newsletter that caters to your targeted readership will also provide you with a promotional outlet for your other works.

Relationships: Another way you can benefit from a dedicated ezine readership isrepparttar 124301 online relationships you build through it over time.

Among your readers you may end up finding people with whom you can set up reciprocal Web site links or potential clients for your services. Someone who regularly reads your newsletter may contact you out ofrepparttar 124302 blue with a joint venture idea that could turn out to be a real money-maker. Or perhaps you'll get ideas for new projects from a "Letter torepparttar 124303 Editor" (that's you!).

Your subscribers get to "know" you through your ezine--your reliability, your talent, and whatever aspects of your personality that you choose to reveal. And you never know what nice little surprises will arrive in your email box from loyal readers.

Additional Income: Although not in itself a get-rich-quick vehicle, having your own ezine can bring in some extra money in several ways: you can charge for classified advertising space in your newsletter, earn commissions through joining affiliate programs that offer products related to yours, and of course, make money fromrepparttar 124304 sales of your books or services themselves.

Cont'd on page 2 ==>
 
ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005
Terms of Use