Building an Email
List of Targeted Potential Customers
An email list
is the absolute most effective marketing tool available on the Internet.
Not only do they provide you with a direct line of communication with your
target market, but they also enable you to develop a trusting relationship
with your subscribers.
The key to using an email list effectively is to develop a large subscriber
base of email addresses. Not just a large subscriber base, but a list of
targeted potential customers.
Although a large email list is an important part of your success, the quality
of your publication is even more important -- both will play a very important
role.
If you really want to build a massive email list, you MUST provide your potential
subscribers with an incentive. The competition on the Internet is fierce.
No longer can you simply tell your visitors what your publication will provide
and expect a large percentage to subscribe. It simply won't work. You MUST
give your visitors a reason to subscribe and give you their email
address.
Email List
Incentives
Using incentives
is a highly effective method of obtaining new subscribers. However, your
incentive must be of value and be of interest to your target audience.
Some popular incentives include:
=> Exclusive ebooks that provide valuable information
=> Special exclusive reports
=> Special software programs
=> Provide access to a "members only" area of your website
=> Provide a service
=> List their website within your Directory or Search Engine.
In order for your visitors to receive your incentive, they must agree to
receive your publication.
Pop
Windows
Although pop
windows can be irritating if not used correctly, they provide a highly effective
means of obtaining new subscribers. The key to using pop windows effectively
is to combine them with your incentives.
If you would
be interested in adding a pop window to your site, I highly recommend the
"Pop-Window Generator" at Willmaster.com. This powerful online utility will
enable you to fill out a simple form and instantly generate the pop-window
code for your pages. This generator will enable you to select the type of
pop-window, set the length of cookies, and completely customize the look
and feel of your window. The only requirement to use this free utility is
that you must be a subscriber of WillMaster Possibilities. This is a great
publication and I highly recommend subscribing.
http://willmaster.com/possibilities/members/
This is a prime example of using incentives...
Keeping Your
Email List Subscribers
Now that you
know how to develop a large subscriber base, we'll focus on how to keep
them.
Developing a large subscriber base is the easy part, keeping them will be
a little more difficult.
The key to keeping your email subscribers is to provide quality content that
teaches or informs in regard to the subject matter. You must provide your
readers with unique content that can't be found in any other publication.
Although providing original content can be a lot of work, it is well worth
the effort. Not only will it provide your readers with unique content, but
it will also enable you to build your credibility and gain your readers'
trust by sharing your expertise.
Although providing some original content is an important part of a great
publication, it is perfectly acceptable to run articles written by other
authors.
You can find a wealth of quality, free articles on a variety of subjects
at the following web address:
http://www.web-source.net/free_articles.htm
Editor's
Note
Another very
important part of a successful email publication is an Editor's Note section.
This section will enable you to talk to your readers and develop a trusting
relationship.
You can also use this section to provide recommendations. There's absolutely
no better way to develop a relationship with your readers than by including
an Editor's Note section.
Advertising
A great way to
increase sales with your email publication is to run sponsor ads. Not a list
of classified ads like you see in many publications, but instead, run five
or six sponsor ads depending on the size of your publication.
These sponsor ads can be ads promoting your products, your affiliate or even
ad space you sell. Place one ad at the top of your publication, a couple
within the article you run and work your way down the publication.
Sponsor ads should be clearly marked and only promote legitimate products
and services.
Conclusion
No matter how
many new subscribers you may acquire, the key to a successful email list
is keeping them. The relationship you build with your subscribers will determine
your success. Above all, you must provide your readers with quality content.
They subscribed to your publication for a reason. If it doesn't meet their
expectations, they'll simply unsubscribe.
Once you've developed a trusting relationship with your subscribers, your
personal recommendations will be a highly effective means of closing sales.
However, it is very important that you only recommend a product or service
that you truly believe in. Your professional reputation depends on it.
Copyright © Shelley
Lowery
About the Author:
Shelley Lowery is the author of the acclaimed web design course, Web Design
Mastery.
http://www.webdesignmastery.com
And, Ebook Starter - Give Your Ebooks the look and feel of a REAL book.
http://www.ebookstarter.com
Visit Web-Source.net to sign up for a complimentary subscription to Etips
and receive a copy of the acclaimed ebook, "Killer Internet Marketing
Strategies."
http://www.web-source.net
You have permission to publish this article electronically, in print,
in your ebook or on your web site, free of charge, as long as the author
bylines are included.
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