Here’s a simple and effective way for magazines to sell subscriptions via the Internet.

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Develop an informative editorial exclusive with content designed to attract targeted readers

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Offer it free via site banners, buttons, and links in exchange for an e-mail address

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Send each e-mail address you gain an instant subscription offer (while adding the new prospect your database)

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Link your offer to your current online order form and make a continuous service sale

We followed this simple formula for Fast Company magazine. Simple animated banners offered a free salary survey in exchange for e-mail names.

There are three keys to success.

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Develop a popular free offer like a salary survey. Or a free set of recipes. Or a 30-day diet plan. Or money-saving coupons ready to be downloaded, printed and redeemed. The idea is instant gratification, real value, and a strong connection to your publication.

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Make sure your offer is truly informational, and your creative not overly promotional – keep it editorially oriented

3.

Establish and fine-tune your program on your own site. Then as you document your results, use that data to barter, negotiate, and buy online placement web-wide at affiliate, advertiser, and larger outside sites.

This brilliant bit of strategy was first created by Deborah Gallagher, a former colleague and client when she worked for Fast Company magazine.

Let it inspire you to find good offers among your current editorial archive, or even develop new and original content perfect for this sort of online subscription marketing.

If this sounds like something you'd like to try – or know more about – contact us. We can help you create the offers, banners, buttons, towers and e-mail you'll need to build an online subscription promotion program. All for a single-project fee that recognizes the budget discipline and cost limits of most circulation marketing models.