Putting the YOU in Your E-zine

By Alexandria K. Brown
Posted Thursday, August 19, 2004

I get many e-zines in my inbox every week, and they all offer useful information. But there are some I enjoy more than others.

What do they have in common? They feel like they come from a REAL person. These publishers put some heart-and-soul into their e-zines. They share information about themselves. And because I feel like I know them personally, I'm more likely to buy from them at some point.

So, how can YOU put more you in your e-zine? Very easily. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
What's Going on With YOU?

Quick: Think of three things going on in your life right now that you could share with your readers. Have you won an award? Were you mentioned in a national newspaper? Did you pull a hamstring doing Tae Bo? Are you teary-eyed because your daughter's wedding is right around the corner? These are all events your readers can relate to and will appreciate you sharing.

One e-zine I always get a chuckle out of is Dave Balch's "Big Bucks in a Bathrobe" (http://www.thestayathomeceo.com). In each issue, Dave not only shares useful information on running a profitable business, but also hysterical stories about "life on the ranch." Dave and his wife own many animals, including horses, dogs, and "the parrot that just won't die." Whenever I see Dave's e-zine in my mailbox, I read it right away because I know it will brighten my mood.
Reach Out for Help

Have a question you'd like answered? Why not ask your readers for help? Example: My husband Gary and I recently moved, only to find that during the process we lost those little screw-tops to all our lamps. ALL of them. Because we're both domestically challenged and had no idea where to find new ones, I shared the story with my readers and asked them for ideas.

You wouldn't believe how many people wrote me back, telling me that I could easily find them at a lamp shop or hardware store. It was delightful to get that many responses (while somewhat embarrassing since it seemed everyone knew this but us. ; ))

Give Us the Picture

Photos help your visitors and your e-zine readers feel closer to you instantly — it's as if they know you better than before.

In one issue I mentioned to my readers that I had a new "glamour shot" taken and would love their opinion of it. Hundreds of people clicked through to see the photo, and many of them wrote me to say they thought it was great! (It's still there, by the way.)

Unless you're ugly as a toad, a decent photo will only help your business. If you publish an HTML e-zine, put your photo in your top banner if you have room.

Also don't be afraid of sharing photos of your family, pets, business associates, etc. You'll be surprised how often your readers will click-through to see them. Example: "Click here to see me in action at my first swing dancing competition!"

Don't Be Afraid to Have Opinions

Real people have real opinions. So voice yours, and people will perk up. I've found that my readers often respond best when they're provoked and encouraged to see things in a new light.

If some don't agree with you (and some won't), their response can lead to a brand new discussion or article topic. Remember, if someone takes the time to write you back to disagree with anything you've said, be happy. It means they're actually reading your e-zine!
Where, and How Much?

A great place to put this personal information is at the beginning of your e-zine in an "editor's note" or "welcome message." This welcomes the reader with a warm greeting from you and is the perfect spot to share these positive, personal tidbits.

Once you get the hang of giving more YOU to your readers, you'll come to enjoy the art of sharing and the increased reader-interaction it brings. Just make sure that it doesn't take over your e-zine. The bulk of your content should still be your main article, list of tips, etc. Think of your personal information as the introduction that leads up to the main event!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alexandria K. Brown, “The E-zine Queen,” is author of the award-winning manual, “Boost Business With Your Own E-zine.” To learn more about her book and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at (http://www.ezinequeen.com).