Let's reach out to readers with an ecourse, a series of informative emails which can be automatically sent to subscribers according to any schedule we choose.
We're trying to reap maximum benefit from every article we write, and build our audience by delivering our content in a variety of different ways.
In the previous pages of this article we've discussed publishing our content on the web, and in ebook form.
Now let's turn to email, and explore delivering our content through an ecourse.
What's An Ecourse?
An ecourse is a series of emails which are pre-scheduled to be automatically delivered in a sequential fashion to each reader.
If we sign up for an ecourse today we may receive Part 1 of the ecourse today, Part 2 tomorrow, Part 3 the next day, and so on. Or the installments of the ecourse could be delivered weekly, or by some other schedule.
As example, if our site is about roses, we could offer a ten part ecourse called, "Getting Started With Your Own Rose Garden", with a new installment delivered each week for ten weeks.
Why Should We Offer An Ecourse?
There are compelling reasons to deliver some of our content through an ecourse.
First, an ecourse allows us to build a relationship with a reader over time.
A reader may be interested in our website right now, but a week from now they may have forgotten all about us.
But, if they sign up for our ecourse while on our website, then they'll be receiving our content via email over the next few days or weeks, and we'll have the opportunity to become more a part of their life, and make a deeper impression on them.
Second, because an ecourse is delivered in a series of installments, we can offer more content than readers typically wish to read at once.
Third, and very importantly, once readers have signed up for our ecourse we have their email address and can follow up occasionally when we have something new and interesting to offer.
If we don't abuse this privilege, we have the opportunity to establish a long term relationship with each reader. This long term relationship can be important, because it often takes time for readers to get to know and trust us.
How Do I Deliver My Ecourse?
Authors use specialized services such as Aweber to automatically schedule and deliver ecourse series to their readers.
Aweber allows us to set up as many ecourses as we want, and deliver them to as many readers as we can get, for a flat fee of $20/month.
We set up our ecourse once, and then each reader is automatically sent each installment of the ecourse according to whatever schedule we've set.
Each mailing sent can be personalized with the reader's name and subion details.
In addition, we can use an Aweber account to send regular newsletters.
I've used Aweber myself and can vouch for the quality of their service.
In Conclusion
If we deliver some of our content via one or more ecourses, we leverage the power of both email and time.
We are delivering content to the reader, instead of hoping they will come to us.
And our ecourse is delivered in installments, giving the reader some time to become familiar with who we are and what we have to offer.
On the next page we'll explore yet another way to make use of our content.
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