Should You Upgrade Your E-zine From Text to HTML?

Home
>
Ezine Publishing
>
Should You Upgrade Your E-zine From Text to HTML?

Should You Upgrade Your E-zine From Text to HTML?

A few years ago, when I first started seeing HTML e-zines in my inbox, I admit I was jealous. They were attractive, attention getting, snazzy. They made my text e-zines look boring.

But my mind fought the idea of upgrading my own. "My readers appreciate my e-zine for its content," I told myself. "They don't need some slick design to get their attention. They just want my information, straight up. Publishing in HTML won't make a difference."

I was wrong.

Well, I was right that my readers receive my e-zine for its content. After all, that's why they subscribed - for my concise, how-to articles.

But I was mistaken that a better "presentation" wouldn't make a difference.

After much deliberation, I decided to give HTML a whirl. I had my e-zine professionally designed in HTML, featuring my logo, colors, and photo.

First off, let's all agree that it's ridiculously easy to publish in text. That's a good thing.

If you're just beginning your e-zine and are a bit overwhelmed, text is a great place to start. You can then focus on developing great content and publishing on a regular basis, without worrying about HTML design and coding snafus.

Text also gives you complete freedom and flexibility - you can add new sections and delete others any time you feel like it, without having to redesign your entire e-zine.

But let's face it: There are hundreds of thousands of text e-zines out there that all look the same. I subscribe to 30+ text e-zines, and they all seem to lump together in my e-mail inbox.

The ones that catch my eye and make me read on - they're HTML.

"Okay, okay," you say. "I know HTML e-zines look great. But do they get better results?"

I'll let these statistics answer that question:

HTML e-zines are read MORE OFTEN than plain text e-zines.

HTML e-zines have a higher CLICK-THROUGH rate. (That is, people are more likely to click on any links you provide to your site or sales offers.)

HTML e-zines reinforce your BRAND by carrying the same look as your Web site and other marketing materials with your logo, colors, etc.

HTML e-zines allow you to TRACK your readership by showing how many people on your list actually open each e-zine you send.

It's also nice if you can offer your readers a choice in what they want to receive. Why? While I got dozens of compliments and thank-yous after switching to HTML, I also got a few people asking if they could still receive my e-zine in TEXT! Go figure... ;

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," is author of the award-winning manual, "Boost Business With Your Own E-zine." To learn more about her book and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at http://EzineQueenTutorial.com/

In The News:

Top Stories - Google News
Updated : Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:52:09 GMT+00:00

Tensions rise as Israeli soldiers kill 2 Palestinians - Los Angeles Times

Ha'aretz

Tensions rise as Israeli soldiers kill 2 Palestinians
Los Angeles Times
The military has killed four Palestinians over the weekend. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is soon to leave for Washington after a recent diplomatic fracas over Israeli housing settlements. By Edmund Sanders As Israeli Prime Minister ...
UN Chief Blames Israeli Blockade for Suffering in GazaVoice of America
Netanyahu to Discuss Core Issues, Is Invited to White HouseBloomberg
Ban to Gazans: We stand with youJerusalem Post
Reuters -Ynetnews -Telegraph.co.uk
all 1,733 news articles »

Publ.Date : Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:11:43 GMT+00:00

Immigration reform rally draws tens of thousands to Washington - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

Immigration reform rally draws tens of thousands to Washington
Los Angeles Times
Organizers of the 'March for America' are trying to cast the issue as an element of economic recovery. They say hundreds of groups from almost every state are taking part. Juana Castizo, 59, of Mulberry, Florida, raises her hands in prayer as ...
Immigrants, supporters gather for major rally on The MallWashington Post
Thousands Expected to Rally for Immigration Overhaul in WashingtonFOXNews
Luis Gutierrez's remarks on immigration reformPolitico (blog)
New York Times -Huffington Post (blog) -ABC7Chicago.com
all 132 news articles »

Publ.Date : Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:11:05 GMT+00:00

Lazio Picks Up State Conservative Nod - NY1

Boston Globe

Lazio Picks Up State Conservative Nod
NY1
Republican candidate for governor Rick Lazio has officially picked up the backing of the New York State Conservative Party. Chairman Michael Long says Lazio won the vote of the party by a margin of 5-to-1 Saturday. No Republican has won statewide ...
Lazio Endorsed by Conservative PartyNew York Times
Lazio Wins Shaky Conservative Party Endorsement; Levy Heats UpGothamist
Editorial: Steve steals the showNew York Daily News
New York Post -Press & Sun-Bulletin -SILive.com
all 135 news articles »

Publ.Date : Sun, 21 Mar 2010 18:17:46 GMT+00:00

Democrats Need 216 Votes to Pass Health Care Reform Bill - ABC News

ABC News

Democrats Need 216 Votes to Pass Health Care Reform Bill
ABC News
After months of negotiations, closed-door meetings and persuasion by President Obama, members of the House of Representatives today will vote on the controversial $940 billion health care bill. President Obama makes final pitch to pass ...
Health care latest: Dems still chasing votesCNN
House leaders express confidence they will secure enough votes to pass health billWashington Post
House Democrats Expect to Secure Health VotesWall Street Journal
USA Today -Los Angeles Times -CBS News
all 14,516 news articles »

Publ.Date : Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:20:48 GMT+00:00

Tea Party Leader Condemns Racial Slurs Hurled at Black Lawmakers - FOXNews

FOXNews

Tea Party Leader Condemns Racial Slurs Hurled at Black Lawmakers
FOXNews
Republican National Chairman Michael Steele and one of the organizers of Saturday's Tea Party rally strongly condemned the racial slurs that some black lawmakers alleged were yelled at them by some health care protesters as they headed for a procedural ...
'Tea party' protesters accused of spitting on lawmaker, using slursWashington Post
GOP, Tea Party try to distance themselves from racial tauntsBelleville News Democrat
Tea Party Members Hurl Gay Insults at Barney Frank Over Health Care ReformSheWired
Voice of America -Politico -NBC Washington
all 362 news articles »

Publ.Date : Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:32:19 GMT+00:00

Iceland prepares for second, more devastating volcanic eruption - Times Online

The Hindu

Iceland prepares for second, more devastating volcanic eruption
Times Online
Iceland is preparing for an even more powerful and potentially destructive volcano after a small eruption at the weekend shot red-hot molten lava high into the sky. About 500 people were safely evacuated from the land close to the Eyjafjallajokull ...
Volcano erupts in Iceland, hundreds fleeWashington Post
Icelands fears 2nd even larger volcanic eruptionHouston Chronicle
Iceland fears 2nd, even larger volcanic eruptionAustin American-Statesman
Atlanta Journal Constitution -BusinessWeek -BBC News
all 824 news articles »

Publ.Date : Sun, 21 Mar 2010 17:05:46 GMT+00:00

Fargo dikes hold as Red River nears crest - Reuters

CBC.ca

Fargo dikes hold as Red River nears crest
Reuters
WINNIPEG, Manitoba (Reuters) - The flooded Red River moved within inches of its crest at Fargo, North Dakota on Sunday, but dikes of earth and sandbags kept the water from causing major damage, officials said. The city had no reports of damage to homes ...
Fargo on brink of declaring victory in flood fightDanbury News Times
Fargo's fight against flooding nears its climaxDickinson Press
Fargo on brink of declaring victory in flood fightphillyBurbs.com
Merced Sun-Star -Minneapolis Star Tribune -New York Times
all 4,768 news articles »

Publ.Date : Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:52:22 GMT+00:00

RSS to HTML
Increase Web Traffic

Should You Upgrade Your E-zine From Text to HTML?

Ezine Publishing