No doubt, biggest hurdle you'll find along this road is simple getting started. The easy part is actually developing your idea, setting up your format, deciding on your content, how to mail it out, etc. That's a breeze. No problem.

The challenge comes after that is all finished. Now you need to start enlisting subscribers.

Get ready to work!

First of all, you MUST face facts. Some recent statistics tell us that there are AT LEAST 300,000 ezines out there. And every one of those ezine are competing for same subscribers!!

So, are you one of those that, when faced with those kinds of facts, promptly gets discouraged? Then, maybe you need to face another fact: You may be in wrong business! But if you're one of those who is motivated by a challenge, then read on.

First of all, building a successful subscriber list IS a challenge. But it is NOT impossible, if you know what you're doing, and also what everyone else is doing.

If you're willing to work harder than most ezine publishers, you will get your share of subscriber market. One reason? A large majority of new ezine publisher, create their ezine, place a subscribe form on their site, submit it to a handful of ezine directories, and proceed to sit back and wait for onslaught of sign-ups. NOT!

Building a subscriber list is a multi-tasker's dream! The secret is in numbers. Number of places you get your information, number of different methods you use, numbers, numbers, numbers! ( Work, work, work.)

But, we're getting ahead of ourselves. Let's get back to just getting started. That was hurdle we were talking about. If you are stuck in that overwhelming land of "I don't know where to start", then here are 4 ways you can jump start your subscriber list. Start here, and I promise, ball will start rolling.

1. Submit to Ezine Directories and Announcement Lists.

EVERY ONE YOU CAN FIND! Remember, numbers. Here are a list of some of best ones to get you started. Do a search for Ezine Directories.

http://www.bestezines.com http://www.ezineaction.com http://www.ezineadvertising.com http://www.ezine-dir.com http://www.ezinelibrary.com http://www.ezinelocater.com http://www.ezine-marketing.com http://www.ezinesearch.com http://www.ezinesplus.com http://www.ezinestoday.com http://www.ezine-swap.com http://www.ezine-universe.com

Most will ask for a description of your ezine. A well- written description can make all difference in whether folks choose to subscribe. As you're looking at these directories, make note of descriptions that catch your eye.

Although raising a child and developing an eZine are both rewarding experiences, your eZine gets to point where it should be making you money. If you are still struggling to make a buck online with your publication, make sure you absorb and use each money-making tip in this series of articles.

Affiliate programs and products

You probably began your eZine to promote your own affiliate programs and products, so this isn't exactly a new idea. But how are you promoting your programs and products?

Here is a quick, 7 point list of ideas that you can use in your eZine to increase your affiliate sign ups and product sales.

1. Classified ads - This one is an obvious idea, but is not as simple as it seems. Writing an effective, lead generating, classified ad is an art and takes practice. Notice I said lead generating.

The sole purpose of a classified ad is to generate leads. It's highly unlikely that you're going to make a sale with 5 lines of text. Instead, use your 5 lines to motivate your prospects into visiting your site, where you can present an entire sales presentation and make your sale.

An excellent resource for learning to write effective classified ads is Tom Hua's, Classified Ad Secrets 2002. http://www.bpcpublishing.com/classifiedsecrets.htm

2. Sponsor ads - These ads are larger than classified ads, strategically placed at top, middle or bottom of your ezine and generally 'framed' with interesting characters. You can make these sponsorship ads any size you want, but a comfortable size is about 12 lines

Because you make these ads larger than normal and place them in strategic places, top, middle and bottom of your eZine, they attract more attention.

3. Articles - Write your own articles. If you use articles in your eZine, why not write your own? You don't have to write every article in every issue of your publication, but make an effort to write at least one a month.

Your articles show your subscribers that you are an 'expert' in your field and gives you added credibility. But this is only spin off benefit.

Write your article about your products and affiliate programs. One word of warning here, don't write an ad, it most likely won't get published. Give readers thick and juicy information to chew on and subtly place your product or affiliate link into article where it is appropriate.