These were the words out of my mouth when asked to take over
Rim Digest by the previous publisher, "I have no interest,
talent or knowledge to do more than READ the occasional
ezine, thanks!"
Little did I know that I would be eating those words, and
with relish! I agreed to do ONE as a guest (and, quite
frankly was sure that by doing so I could prove my point
and she would look elsewhere for a replacement.) It was
not so bad because she had some articles and ads and
"filler" saved up and emailed it all to me and told me
to just copy and paste from the previous issue.
Well, this only took me about four hours because I am
just stubborn enough to want to do my best even when I
fully expect to fail. So the next week when she asked
me to fill in again, I figured this would be the one
that she would "see the light" on and release me from
the promise I had made to help out "until a REAL
publisher" was found.
Then it happened. I got feedback! Two whole subscribers
of the then 32 wrote to me and said they liked my
touch and I was hooked! I was still pretty sure I was
NOT publisher material, but was starting to enjoy
"pretending" to be one. For the first month or so,
I would have to do the ezine and then mail it to
Sharon, the ex-pub, and she would mail it out from
globelists, where it was hosted at that time.
Soon, it just made sense to admit that I would be
taking it over and my "trial" period was up. Then
and only then did it feel like it was really MY
ezine and I realized with total surprise that I
really loved doing Rim Digest.
I got a little braver with each issue and soon
started putting more ME into the ezine and less
and less going by the previous guidelines and
format, etc. The more I emerged, the more the
subscribers reacted and the more they responded,
the braver I got.
I still am a "newbie" publisher, but I certainly
claim the title of publisher with pride and devotion
now and I have the CREAM of the crop of subscribers
and know how lucky I am. Not an issue goes out now
without at least a few "good job!", "great issue",
"best yet" or "I love Rim" messages and my favorite
is the four so far who have written to say they love
being "Rimmers!"
There is, of course, the down-side, the not so nice
grumpies or the ones who try to SPAM the ezine address,
and there is a lot of work involved before we hit "send"
that I feel only other publishers have a clue about,
but all in all, my now 430 Rimmers have a very happy
and appreciative publisher and I value this and them
more than words can ever say.
The feedback, good or bad, is necessary to shape the
future of Rim and I thank the ones who send it and
urge those who don't to do so. I feel that silence
is acceptance, and like voting in the elections,
if you do not voice your opinion your feelings
cannot be considered and you have no real sincere
reason to gripe if you do not speak out.
Reader feedback helped me decide to do two issues
per week instead of the one as when I took it over.
It also encouraged me to offer paid ad spots when
all of the experts say to wait until 1000 subscribers.
As I neared 200 members I mentioned in two issues that
I was considering taking paid ads and asked for opinions
and even made a link for the emails to go "yes" or "no".
Out of, I think then, 187 or so members, 20 responded,
19 yes, 1 no, and so at 200 members I took the first paid
ad spot and sold it to the ex-publisher!
Now, after six months of being the "Momma Rimmer", I can
honestly say that I am grateful every day for the nudge
from my best friend and also proud of myself for taking
something I knew NOTHING about, learning enough of the
ropes to get by with doing it and very proud and
appreciative of my wonderful rimmers family!
To OUR success!
Rim Digest, an internet marketing ezine, is dedicated
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professionalism on the web.
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