11 Quick (and Good) E-zine Content Ideas

Publishing an e-zine is the ideal opportunity to showcase your
business. By sharing your knowledge and expertise, you build
credibility as an expert, while spreading the word about your
services and products.

While sometimes you'll have dozens of content ideas, other
times you'll find yourself staring at a blank computer screen,
grumbling that it's publishing time again. Well, have no fear!
Here are 11 quick (and good) content ideas for when you're in a
pinch.

1. Give real-life examples. Describe a problem you've solved
for a client/customer, and use that as a springboard to offer
more general advice. Show your readers how you've helped
customers address challenges - "case studies" if you will. This
positions you as the expert in your readers" minds more than
your coming out and saying so.

2. Think of three areas in which you'd like your clients to
think of you as a resource. Now develop content in those areas.
For example, as a professional copywriter, I really enjoy
working on Web sites. To help encourage my clients and prospects
to hire me for these projects, I published several articles on
how to write Web copy that sells.

3. Read industry publications for ideas. Are there any hot
issues in your field right now? The more controversial, the
better. Don't be afraid to offer your own opinion - your readers
want to know it. After all, YOU are the expert! ; )

4. Jot down 8 questions your clients have asked you in the
past. You know, the ones they ask you over and over. Answer each
in a short article. If you publish weekly, that's two months'
worth of content, right off the bat! And if you can't think of
any questions, send all your current clients/customers a quick e-
mail, asking them what topics they're most interested in
learning more about.

5. Learn anything neat lately from an industry conference,
workshop, seminar, or insightful article? No one says you have
to reinvent the wheel of information! Pass on any gems of advice
you've learned elsewhere - just give them full attribution. Or
give your opinion of the event or article itself - your readers
will appreciate your frankness.

6. Offer a list of your top 5 or 10 tips on a certain subject.
It's much easier to bang out a list of tips than to put together
a real article. Of course, the tips can evolve into an article
if you wish! Be sure to list your best tip first, or at least
close to the top. (If you "fire your biggest gun" last, you risk
losing your audience before they get to the good stuff.)

7. Interview associates whose expertise would interest your
readers (while not competing with yours). E-mail interviews are
incredibly easy to do. Just send your interviewee 3 to 5
questions via e-mail, edit their answers, and have them approve
the final version. Be sure to give them a short plug in your e-
zine as a thank you. (A one-sentence description of their
business, phone number, their Web site URL, and e-mail address
should be fine.)

8. Recommend books and resources that you use, and offer full
reviews on them. 

9. Invite readers to write you with their own questions, and
answer one in each issue. Right after their question, publish
the person's name, business, e-mail, and Web site address.
They'll enjoy the attention/publicity!

10. Invite readers to send in profiles. Ask them to tell you
about themselves - their names, businesses, locations, and how
they use the information gained in your e-zine. Feature one
profile in each issue or one every few issues.

11. When all else fails, borrow an article! There are dozens of
Web sites offering hundreds of articles that you can use in your
e-zine.