Don't Bore Me! Give Your Ezine 'Personality!'

By Merle
Posted Friday, July 16, 2004

How to give your ezine a personality

All right, I confess. I'm an ezine junkie. I love 'em. All shapes, all sizes; I subscribe to hundreds. You might say I'm an addict. Anyway, as I scan the subject line of my precious beauties when they hit my inbox, there are only certain ones I'm chomping at the bit to read. Why is that? Why does one ezine have me salivating and another reaching for my delete key? Good question, I was hoping you'd ask.

The newsletters I can't wait to read are the ones with "personality." Yes, that's right -- PERSONALITY. I just love an ezine that makes me laugh, or cry, or think about things I haven't thought about for awhile. Thought provoking. Enlightening, heart warming.

I do have my favorites and usually those are the ones where I feel as if I know the publisher on a personal level, which says a lot, since I've never met any of them in the real off-line world. So how do they do that? And more importantly, how can you create this warm, fuzzy feeling in your own ezine?

Publishers who have perfected this technique have developed a "unique writing style." A good writing style allows one's personality to shine through in his words and conveys a sense of humanity. So what's your writing style? You can convey many feelings and attitudes through your writing. You can come across as funny or serious, cocky or very business like.

Developing your own special writing style takes time and practice. Ezine writers should always try to write the same way they think and speak. Try to write as if you were speaking to one person and she is standing in the room right in front of you. Don't use big words; most people are not impressed by fancy language and you'll lose those who can't read past a 9th grade level. Talk to your readers as you would a close friend. The genuine part of your personality will shine through as you write. Always use short sentences and paragraphs.

To develop a good writing style you should read as much as possible and practice writing. Really study pieces as you read them and ask yourself what about it appeals to you, or doesn't appeal to you. You can learn a lot by studying writings of others that appeal to you.

Another way to really connect with your readers is to share stories and details about your personal life. Yes, being personal is tough and a lot of people feel funny about it or fear rejection by doing so. But to really connect with your subscribers you need to share and let them see that you really are human and have problems, wants and needs. Some of the best ezines I read share personal anecdotes on a regular basis and I look forward to these tidbits on a regular basis. There are some ezines I subscribe to where I actually know the names of the writer's dog or spouse. Even though I've never met them, they are real to me.

Next time you sit down to write your newsletter, try to let your personality show through. By perfecting your style, you will attract readers who look forward to each and every issue - and loyal subscribers for life.

Remember, keep it simple, be yourself.....and most importantly "Don't Bore Me! Give Your Ezine Personality!"

About the Author
Merle is an internet marketer, promotion consultant and ezine publisher. Visit her sites at (http://www.mcpromotions.com/), (http://www.merlesworld.com/) and (http://www.ezineadauction.com/).