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>> Confessions of an e-newsletter publisher

Wow! Exactly two years have passed since the inaugural issue of WordBiz Report in July 2001. It launched as a text-only publication sent monthly to 1,000 subscribers. The name was WordBiz Brief (do you remember?). But certain things have stayed the same. The first publisher's note (see below) still sums up my mission...

And I still feel passionate about WBR. Although sometimes a bit sleep deprived... What is my confession? Authenticity is key. And by that I mean authentic "voice." I often struggle to find just the right tone. When I do, you respond. You even make a purchase. When I lapse into marketing speak, you tend to ignore me. And why not? I don't respond to sales-y copy either.

Publishing an e-newsletter is like having an extended email conversation with a bunch of smart colleagues. Thanks for hanging in there and for keeping me on my toes.



Publisher, WordBiz Report
+1 202.333.2022 land

P.S. I'd love to hear from you. Feedback is what feeds the soul of an e-newsletter publisher! Drop me a line... And be sure to take this issue's quick survey. You can enter the book giveaway at the same time.

When I interviewed B2B direct marketing expert Ruth Stevens two years ago, I opined that B2B email marketing was better suited to customer retention than acquisition. She agreed.

But much has happened since. Ruth thinks the new proliferation of quality B2B lists available for rental means you can prospect for new customers through email. Several other experts agree (see Useful Links below).

Find out why; plus read the inaugural interview. It's still right on target. And be sure to enter our book giveaway to win a copy of her meaty Lead Generation Handbook.

[MORE]

Useful Links:

Don't Give Up! E-mail List Rental Isn't Dead by Ben Isaacson in ClickZ

Critical Questions to Ask Before Renting a List by Al DiGuido in ClickZ

What's hot these days (other than the weather here in Washington D.C.)?

Web metrics or e-metrics and what they mean

Conversion rate calculators

The fuss about Google AdSense


1. For a good introduction to key Web metrics (click-through and conversion rates) and how to understand raw data from your Web logs, read this free 22-page guide based on The Marketer’s Common Sense Guide to E-Metrics: 22 benchmarks to understand the major trends, key opportunities, and hidden hazards your web logs uncover (by Bryan Eisenberg and Jim Novo).

If you want to purchase the complete report for USD $99, click here. I am not an affiliate and do not benefit in any way.

DOWNLOAD 22-PAGE WEB METRICS GUIDE (PDF)

Useful Links:

Metrics on a Need to Know Basis: Good article by e-metrics expert Jim Sterne

What's important to measure on your website by Gerry McGovern


2. The Marketer’s Common Sense Guide to E-Metrics grew out of a series of popular downloadable Digital Sales Calculators posted on Future Now. Use these spreadsheets to compute how a small increase in the percentage of visitors who convert to customers results in a huge increase in sales. Very cool.

DOWNLOAD CONVERSION RATE CALCULATORS (Excel)


3. Have you heard about the new Google AdSense program for content-rich sites? I just added these "Ads by Google" to my site and am amazed at how well they're performing. So is everyone else I'm talking to. It's a blindingly simple concept. Visitors to my site click on the ads - and I earn a cost-per-click commission from Google.

About-AdSense is a new site (unaffiliated with Google) that clearly explains how the program works. It lets you preview what kind of ads would appear on your site if you signed up for the program.

TRY THIS FREE ADSENSE WEB TOOL (Just enter your URL.)

Sign up for a free Dollars and AdSense mini course.

Take a look at Ads by Google on WordBiz.com.