Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Quickest Way To Build an Email List

Quickest Way To Build an Email List

If you want to quickly build a responsive email list in the next 30 days — especially if you’re just starting online and don’t have a lot of money — the following strategy can get the job done.
Here’s the story:
Several years ago, I was struggling to build my email list and nothing seemed to work.
I wrote hundreds of ezine articles. I tried setting up joint ventures with other list owners. I even added loads of fresh content to my site hoping to attract search engine traffic and leads.
All of these things were helpful, but they didn’t deliver the big “hit” I wanted.
Then one day, I decided to try something completely different. Something entirely obvious …
Hardly anyone was doing what I was going to attempt (must less teaching it).

The simple 30-day email list strategy

What I did was “trade” writing a half dozen press releases to a marketer I knew (who had a big email list) in exchange for plugging my site a set number of times to his list over the course of a month.
Did it work? Oh yeah!
In fact, it only took a few hours to write the press releases, and every time he plugged my site a new batch of leads came in like clockwork. Before long my list was up and running with dozens of fresh, new responsive subscribers.
The total cost? A few hours of my time doing something I enjoyed.
And guess what?
You can do the exact same thing.
You probably have a skill other email list owners in your industry want.
It could be writing … web design … programming … SEO … editing audio/video … building websites … or just about anything a list owner in your industry can use.
If you simply find these email list owners, you can leverage your time and skills to build your list by trading that skill for endorsing your website.
Of course, the “devil” is in the details, isn’t it?
How — exactly — do you find deals like this?
Here’s 5 ways you can get going on as early as today:

1. Intentional social media networking

Mostly, I think social media is overrated as a marketing tool.
But one thing I do like about it is how easy it is to meet people you wouldn’t otherwise get to know.
With FaceBook, for example, you can friend someone and get to know them (by chatting them up about common interests, responding to their updates, etc). Sometimes that can naturally turn into a valuable contact.
That contact may or may not have a list of people who would be interested in your joining your list. But he/she probably will know someone who does and can give you an intro.

2. Ask your colleagues

Chances are you know other business owners.
It can’t hurt to ask them:
“Hey, I want to build my list and am wanting to trade my XYZ service/product in exchange for other list owners plugging me to their list. Do you know someone who needs an XYX service/product?”
All it takes is one referral like that, and you’re off to the races.

3. Forums are not dead

Go to online forums where list owners in your industry hang out and look for people asking questions you can answer.
Don’t try to pitch them your offer. Just answer their questions and be helpful.
And when the time is right, simply make them your offer to trade.

4. Starting small is not a waste of time

Don’t poo-poo the smaller email list owners!
Someone with a small list is FAR more likely to accept your offer. And, after you’ve helped them, simply ask if they know someone who might be interested in the same deal … and would they mind giving you an intro?
Again, it’s simple referral marketing.
Starting small lets you leverage social proof to the hilt as you work your way up the food chain to bigger list owners.

5. Excel at what you do

Finally, as the great negotiator Jim Camp says:
“The more effective people are, the more we respect them.”
When you’re starting out, it’s tough getting anyone to take your calls. But as you rack up successes … and as people on the lists you’re promoted to see your name … and as word spreads about how groovy you are at what you do …
People will eventually start promoting you without you even asking them.
They’ll want to do it.
It makes them look good to their lists.
Believe it or not, this happens all the time, and it can happen for you, too.
Get good. Then, get better.
Start implementing the simple tips in this article.
Of course, building your list is just step #1. The next step is to monetize your list by mailing offers to your new subscribers.

Posted by at No comments:

How To Build Your Email List

How To Build Your Email List

One of a small business’s best marketing assets is a healthy email list. While proper management and use of your email file will drive revenue immensely, it is often a challenge to create the email list itself. With inbox clutter on the rise and customers becoming more sensitive toward any unwanted communication, marketers should develop their subscriber lists with relevance and care. 
Fortunately, there are a number of simple and effective ways of creating an email list, including traditional online and offline tactics, as well as emerging strategies, such as paid search, direct mail, events and special offers. The challenges at hand in order to maximize list growth through every customer touch point are: 
  • Using these tactics responsibly
  • Complying with all legal requirements
  • Respecting subscriber preferences

Direct Mail – Make The Most Of This Longstanding Channel

Advertise email sign-up in all catalogs, directory ads and direct-mail order forms. A simple checkbox accompanied by a field for writing in an email address on bills, rebate cards, subscription renewals, etc. is all you have to provide to grow your list considerably.
When using this tactic, make sure to email new subscribers as soon as you possibly can. Chances are that a significant amount of time has passed since they mailed the form, and it’s crucial to keep your brand fresh in their minds and continue the dialog.

Email Sign-Up Boxes – Enable Customers To Sign Up For Email

Placing a clear and conspicuous form on your Website will help facilitate email sign-ups for your Website visitors. This common acquisition practice is not only effective, but also very easy to implement. There are a few important things to consider when employing this tactic:
  • Keep the look and feel of all Website sign-up boxes consistent and clean. This makes them more reputable, easy to find and familiar to your audience.
  • Try to place sign-up boxes either as part of the top banner or just below. Most test results have shown that those located near the top of the Website perform better than those located in the footer area.
  • Couple your sign-up boxes with a clear description of “what’s in it for them.” Let customers know exactly what to expect when signing up, and sell the benefits for being on your email list. This can be as simple as promoting the general advantages of the channel — such as being able to receive information and offers faster and that it’s eco-friendly.

Account Registrations and Online Ecommerce Forms – Incorporate Email Sign-Up Into Your Forms

Site registration is the most common and effective means of acquisition for marketers. Jupiter Research found that 77 percent of marketers deem site registration effective in terms of both list quality and quantity. So make sure to incorporate email sign-up into all account registration and ecommerce forms on your Website. 
To do this effectively, stick to the following best practices:
  • The incentive for registering is clear and relevant to your target audience
  • Benefits of registering for your email program are clearly listed
  • Geographic and demographic information is collected for segmentation
  • The call to action is prominently displayed

Word of Mouth – Another Great Way to Grow Your Email File

For subscribers who may have been on your list for a longer period of time, a small incentive or discount will often get them talking. Marketers should capitalize on word-of-mouth marketing by incorporating email sign-up on viral components, such as features that allow site visitors to forward products, services, wish lists, information online, notifications and more to their friends.
This practice is especially effective with new sign-ups and sweepstakes entries, as these types of subscribers tend to be more eager and excited to spread the word to friends and family. Tap into this enthusiasm, and use timing to your advantage by providing an opportunity for referral immediately after a user has opted in.
It’s a best practice to ask the referrer not only for a friend’s email address, but also for a full name so that the message is personalized. Most important, remember to add the referee’s full name to the email as well. By referencing whom the email content was recommended by, you gain instant credibility and will attain much higher conversion rates.

Customer Requests and Downloads – Provide Email Sign-Up Opportunities for Potential Customers

When your Website visitors request online price quotes, catalogs, pamphlets, company information or research papers, ask for (or require) their email addresses. This list-growth practice is particularly useful for business-to-business marketers, catalogers, financial organizations and other businesses that may not have ecommerce Websites.
Save any new documentation as a PDF for download, and require that individuals enter their names and email addresses in order to access it. The value of the information you are offering is directly proportional to the amount of personal data your customers are willing to provide, so make sure the tradeoff is fair. A highly anticipated white paper or report can garner a high number of new email subscribers who are openly expressing interest in your brand, so don’t leave this opportunity unaddressed.

Point of Sale – Make Email Acquisition Part of the Checkout Process

For retail stores, asking customers for their email addresses at the point of sale (POS) is a proven technique that is quickly gaining momentum. In-person and in-store events were ranked second in acquisition quality and quantity, according to a 2007 Jupiter Research study.
To put this practice into action, it’s important that your associates:
  • Ask customers for their email addresses
  • Explain the benefits of your email program
  • Let customers know exactly what to expect in terms of email frequency and content
  • Read back the email addresses to verify correct spelling and reduce the risk of error 
Employee training and in-store signage promoting your program can effectively support this effort.

Send a Welcome Email Offering a Free Gift with Any Purchase

To encourage customers to give store associates their email addresses, consider offering a free product with their next purchase. An email can be sent to confirm the email address and can include the free offer coupon. This validates the email address and encourages customers to shop again.

Call-Center Representatives (CSRs) – Request Customers' Email Addresses While on Customer Service 

Calls

Customers are highly receptive during customer service calls. You have their full attention and should use it to your advantage by requesting email addresses. You may be surprised at how many will comply. 
Lastly, if your CSRs are writing their own emails to follow up with customers, have them put a link to an email sign-up form in their email signatures.

Conclusion

By following responsible best practices to build a permission-based house file, marketers create a win-win situation for both the customer and the brand. Companies gain long-term, profitable relationships with their customers, and customers receive offers for products and services that are meaningful and relevant to them.
By using the email channel responsibly, marketers and consumers can continue to benefit from this cost-efficient and environmentally friendly medium.
Posted by at No comments:

Monday, October 21, 2013

Top 8 Best Email Marketing AutoResponder

Top 8

Here are the top 8 autoresponders:
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)