Ezines And Content Nurturance

by: Scott Lindsay

Did you know that of the 25 million people in the United States that consider themselves writers only 5% of them will ever be published?

If that seems an astonishing figure it should also point to an opportunity for those who create business or industry related ezines.

How is this an opportunity?

If you are like most business owners you may have trouble locating fresh content. You may borrow from industry publications (with permission of course), you may try your hand at writing content yourself from time to time or you might use a free-article directory to make your ezine sparkle. However, you can also work to foster an atmosphere where struggling writers can add to their portfolio while providing fresh content for your ezine.

How can you do this?

Well, this can be accomplished through multiple avenues. Let’s take a look at a few.

1) Posting a classified notice within your ezine. Let your subscribers know you’re open to receiving reader content. If they are reading your ezine they probably already have an interest in the subject matter you address. You may have one of those multiplied millions of writers just looking for an opportunity reading your online publication.

2) Visiting a writer’s forum. In many of these forums you can post a freelance opportunity alerting writers to the fact that you have a need for material. You can determine what you can pay and either state it in the body of your need or let the writer know when they contact you. If you are not able to pay the writer then you should consider providing a byline and website link as a way of thanking them for their contribution.

3) Go on an intentional search for a writer. Many writers’ websites will feature writing samples from members. Look for a style you’re interested in and a writer who may have some understanding of your industry.

It’s possible to nurture writers from these three sources as you seek to grow and diversify your ezine. Many of these volunteer writers may have creative ideas to make your ezine better.

You might even suggest a writing contest as part of the ezine. This can be enhanced with the offer of free gifts and or business products. Many individuals respond very well to contests and, as evidenced by the opening statistic, there are a lot of aspiring writers looking for the type of opportunity you can provide.

Ezines can be both informative as well as a spiffy looking tool for marketing your business. Why not use the development of an ezine to help you fulfill your dream of an upwardly mobile business while offering an aspiring writer the opportunity to fulfill a few dreams of his or her own. The result can be mutually beneficial.

Inviting others to share in your dream can benefit your business and help lighten the production load. The diversity in the content can allow you the opportunity to improve readership and instill a greater sense of interest in your ezine.

Nurture the inner desire most writers have and provide an avenue of publishing that can help them reach their goals.