Ted,
In answer to your question, let me tell you a story.
You are a publisher of a newsletter. The name of your newsletter is "Stock Tips."
One day, out of the blue, a person comes barging into your office, going on out about this great new system 'guaranteed' to make you thousands of dollars a month on the stock market, simply by following three simple secrets. To get these 'guaranteed' secrets, all you have to do is pay this person $24.95 a month.
How would you feel as the publisher and what would you do?
My point? Business is business whether you are in the online world or the offline world.
Now let's look at something different.
You subscribe to Frank's e-zine called Marketing Success. Frank has been in business for many years and has quite a large list of subscribers.
You like Frank's writing style. After reading a couple of issues, you write to Frank and tell him you enjoy reading his e-zine.
Frank writes back and thanks you. In the next issue of Frank's e-zine you read an editorial of Frank on a particular issue.
Now even though you are new to marketing on the Internet you have been in business many years.
You write Frank, introduce yourself, give a bit of your background and tell him you also find xyz subject interesting and share with Frank a bit of your experience.
At the bottom of your letter, after giving your name, you include a one line signature - a brief description of your business, along with a link.
Frank, being Frank, checks out your business.
Frank writes back, thanks you, tells you about himself and tells you about your experience with xyz.
This banter goes on for a while.
One day, you receive a copy of Frank's e-zine and then an hour later, you receive another copy, so you pick up the phone, call Frank and tell him there may be a problem. Frank is grateful.
Now, Ted is the time to write Frank and ask him whether he will accept an article from you for publication. But don't send him the article.
You write Frank and say,
Hey Frank
How is it going? What's the weather like down your way etc, etc. By the way, remember xyz you and I were talking about a while ago? Well, I have been toying with writing an article, but before I did, can you tell me, what are your criteria for publication in your e-zine.
Frank writes back.
Now, you must remember, Frank is very protective of his list and even though you and he have been talking for a while, he is leary. But he tell's you and invites you to send in the article.
You don't send in the article, you call Frank and speak with him on the phone and outline briefly what is the subject matter of your article.
Ask yourself this question? How will Frank's readers benefit from reading your article? Yes, or no? Were the answer yes, then Frank will consider publishing your article, as long as it meets the usual criteria.
Were the answer no, then forget it.
The two of you discuss your article for a few minutes. You make the point of showing Frank the benefit and at the end of the conversation, Frank asks you to send in the article.
Why go through all this effort? Word of mouth. You want to develop relationships. You want to give value. Then, you will get back. But not before.
Trust this helps to answer your question.
Kind regards,
John
John Glube
Toronto, Canada
voice: 416-535-6366;
johnglube@yahoo.caDiscover How Anyone Can Get More Buyers
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