I know, I know: your email inbox gets flooded at work as it is; why would you want to sign up for e-zines or e-newsletters on your personal time too? Trust me, if you do it right, it can be worth your while.
You see, whenever I find a magazine that I enjoy, or a book whose author or subject I want to learn more about, I head over to their website. If they have a free newsletter, I sign up. Why? Savvy marketers use their email subscriber lists to send out sale and discount announcements. Announcements you may well benefit from!
Case in point:
As a homeschooling parent, I try to take advantage of opportunities to learn about new resources from both print and online publications. At one point I was subscribed to four homeschooling magazines, but during a time of financial cuts, I wasn't able to renew them all. I picked my favorite one and paid to renew it, but missed getting the others.
A month or so ago I revisited the websites of each publication and signed up for their free e-newsletters, then pretty much forgot about it. Two days ago I received a special sale announcement from my second favorite publication, saying they were having a one-day only subscription sale. They were offering one year subscriptions for HALF PRICE -- and since my finances have changed a bit as well, I was able to take advantage of the deal. Would I have been able to before? I probably would have tried. Additionally, I forwarded the email along to a half dozen friends, two of whom said they were going to take advantage of it as well. Even if I hadn't been able to partake, my friends still would, which is a great deal for them and the magazine.
Today I received a regular e-news with a great introductory rate for new subscribers, which I forwarded as well. It's for the publication that I had already renewed, so I can't make much use of it, but my friends, including a new homeschooling mom, may be able to.
There are a couple of tips I'd like to pass on though, so you don't use up all your free time deleting emails you don't want! Here's what I do:
- Only subscribe to e-newsletters that are published monthly or bi-weekly. If they are daily or come out more than once a week, I don't bother. I don't have time to wade through them!
- If you're using Yahoo! or Outlook or any other mail program you can customize, consider setting up folders for your e-zines. Categorize them by topic, sender, or whatever works for you. That way you can read urgent messages and family contact first, then peruse e-zines when you have time to relax and enjoy yourself.
- Only subscribe to e-newsletters from folks who clearly state that they don't sell your information. If even one company sells your email address, you're going to become the Queen of Spam-alot. Ugh! Not a time saver!
- Be sure to visit websites produced by companies whose products you love. Oftentimes you'll get free coupons the moment you sign up, or you'll get them via email from time to time. One more money saver, and it's even better if you can redeem them online -- save yourself some time on the road and in line at the store!
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