> Hi,

> I'm considering starting a free ezine in
> which to put the stuff I find or know about
> that's too good to just toss into the wind
> as a forum message.

> But... what if I get too small a number of
> subscribers or for some other reason I
> decide to stop publishing? Should I make it
> clear at the outset that I reserve the right
> to stop at any time? That's question number
> one.

> Number two is: who publishes the best course
> or book on how to build a successful ezine?

> Thanks in advance for any replies....

> Best,

> - Boyd

Hi Boyd,

The best resourse to guide you in setting up and running a successful e-zine, by far, is to be found free-of-charge at http://www.ezineuniversity.com/

There is a ton of stuff there, and it is all first class. Print it off and read every word!

The number of subscribers that you initially start with doesn't really matter. If your e-zine is a good quality offering, it will grow in time. When I started out I send out my first issue to 3 people. Now I have 2000 subscribers and growing.

Don't be afraid of wasting good content on low subscriber numbers. Archive every issue on a web site and you will find that new subscribers read the back copies. Believe me, nothing you write on the Internet is ever wasted effort.

As to your question about ceasing publication ... it depends on whether you charge for subscription or not, and on the promises (if any) you make. Print publications fold all the time with little or no comeback from disappointed readers. If you have charged in advance for a set number of issues, you should make provision to refund the unused funds - or risk being sued for them.

If you publish for free, then you really have no worries. You are providing a free service, which you have every right to stop providing.

Having just read your post below about your infinite patience, I hope we don't have to wait too long to subscribe to your e-zine. It sounds as if it will be a valuable resource.

Best of luck.

Martin Avis.




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