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Free list-building from scratch

by YP
6 replies
Hello

I'm working through my wpblog to begin building a platform for my ebook i'm putting together. It's a slow process learning everything at first, but even though my blog is in very early stages, i've had some traffic, and positive comments and questions.

I know exactly what I want to achieve with my ebook, but I thought about putting a blog post up asking people to email me with comments/questions/opinions they would like answered in my up-and-coming book.

I don't want to spend any more money just yet on opt-in boxes, so this could start me off... or the first 50 emails would get the book half price...etc

Or would I be better with something like phplist now?

Any comments very appreciated
#free #listbuilding #scratch
  • Profile picture of the author Troy_Phillips
    You could give the ebook away and still have a hard time getting people to email you first .

    Of course this is just my opinion but I would spend the few extra bucks a month for a good autoresponder . Give away a free report (never an ebook ... a free report ) that compliments your product you want to sell. Instead of a 50% discount I would use the 50% as an incentive to get all the affiliates I could muster .

    Good luck and please report back on the list building getting them to email you thing . I don't see it working but it's not like I have never been wrong before
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  • Profile picture of the author Kevin Koop
    Here's my suggestions:

    [1] Make a post on the blog on your topic and call it a "One Question Poll" -
    To do what I am suggesting, you don't even need to install a polling plugin or do anything else technical.

    Just say something like this...

    I am in the process of writing a book on XYZ Subject and I wanted to know which of the following was most important to you:

    [A] This well-known problem the market is having
    [B] Another well-known problem the market is having
    [C] Yet another well-known problem the market is having

    Please leave a comment and tell me which of these concerns you most.

    =====

    If you do this, you'll likely get people to tell you what is their biggest challenge AND you'll also get your visitors to post some unique content to your blog which can help draw more organic traffic.

    If you do this, make sure to jump in and respond to your visitors' comments and do your best to start a healthy dialogue.

    [2] I strongly recommend staying away from ANY free autoresponder service and would not recommend any that install on your own server.

    Your list will become one of your biggest business assets and I suggest you treat it as such. My personal favorite is Aweber but I also use Constant Contact for a client.

    Of the two, I like Aweber but I know others that like GetResponse.

    Hope this helps,
    Kevin
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  • Profile picture of the author Kevin Koop
    One quick follow up...

    I wouldn't ask them for their email until you have an autoresponder form in place. Your blog commenters will have to give their email anyway to make the comment so you will have it automatically.
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    • Profile picture of the author Troy_Phillips
      Originally Posted by Kevin Koop View Post

      One quick follow up...

      I wouldn't ask them for their email until you have an autoresponder form in place. Your blog commenters will have to give their email anyway to make the comment so you will have it automatically.
      While Kevin is giving some great advice , you need to remember that just because they had to leave an email to leave a reply they didn't give you permission to email them .
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      • Profile picture of the author YP
        All great stuff there - many thanks. I just think for the complete beginner, these autoresponder sites are too expensive. It will be months before this is looking like a reality. There are some great starting suggestions here though - I guess all this helps build confidence in forking out more money.

        I'll go and read more posts too - wow this forum moves fast!
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  • Profile picture of the author Cerberus
    Get response appears to have a trial or limited free version. No Credit card either it says. Worth having a look.

    Create free account ? email marketing - GetResponse
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