List Marketing Rullz?

by Schwan

Posted: 13 years ago 19 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

Hi,

To keep it short and sweet: Please answer poll

thanks in advance, Schwan

Ps: Background about product + customer
My average customer is a middle-age woman, my product is about education for kids (to help kids getting better grades). After subscription to newsletter, visitors see a video in which i intorduce myself.

#list #marketing #rulzz

Alexa Smith

Banned 13 years ago

In most of my niches, I make more sales after 5 and before 15 mailings than I do either before 5 mailings or after 15.

In two or three of my niches, I make more sales after 15 mailings than I do before.

I also make occasional "direct sales" to people who don't even opt in to receive the emails.

I think this varies, not so much from niche to niche (though that's likely, too) but from customer demographic to customer demographic, and it depends what's making people opt in, in the first place ... i.e. how you're attracting the traffic. The people on my lists - regardless of niche - collectively have very different expectations than would be true for PPC traffic, for example.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

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Schwan

13 years ago

hi Alexa!

Thx for your comment!
Could you estimate after which mailings one would get the most buys with this demografics: ?
-middle aged parents
-a free Report "6 learning secrets" makes them opt in

Second question: How much % of subscribers in total will buy during one year?

ps: It's quite interesting because i'm a beginner and in the past gave up after 6 mailings or so.

Thanks
1 reply

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Alexa Smith

Banned 13 years ago

Originally Posted by Schwan

Funnily enough, I suspect that "middle-aged parents interested enough in their children's education to be looking at it online" (many don't) does actually overlap with my own customer demographics to a reasonable extent ... so I'll offer an opinion, here ...

I think this is an "audience" with whom you have to establish credibility. They've seen it all before, and you need - directly or indirectly - to give them reasons why you're the person on the strength of whose information/recommendation they should be buying something. And that takes time. I'd expect that you'll start making most of the sales in this niche (dependant on 100 other things, of course - isn't it always? :rolleyes: ) after 5 (or a few more) emails.

These are people many of whom buy from/through you because of their relationship with you, not only because the product you're promoting matches a perceived need/wish (though clearly that needs to be true as well).

Originally Posted by Schwan

Second question: How much % of subscribers in total will buy during one year?

This I can't say: it really depends how you're attracting the traffic, "who they are" and what sort of a range of goods/services, including over how wide a price-range, you can offer during that time. I just don't know: sorry. They may be "my kind of readers" but it's not my niche.

Originally Posted by Schwan

It's quite interesting because i'm a beginner and in the past gave up after 6 mailings or so.

Ooh, well, you definitely need to persist a lot longer than this, as you're realising.

Do you monitor the "open-rates" of what you're sending them?

How often do you email them?

What have they opted in for? ("Free report" or something?).

Thanks
1 reply

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Schwan

13 years ago

hi alexa,

thx for your insights on the customer. So i hope they care about their childern's education because they click on this "get this free report with learning-secrets" Facebook-ad.

Do you have other tipps about succeding in the education niche?

I'm glad you're interested, so i'm happy to answer your questions:
Im monitor my open rates, they are about 20% or so. (I'm astonished, because i open almost every mail i receive)

I email them with an autoresponder, until now six messages are automatically sent out they first 10 days.

So yeah they optin for a free report with learning secrets.

I think the problem is my young age (i'm in my 20s) and i think parents want older experts.

schwan

ps: somehow I just suggested that 5 Mailings will be enough so its good to know that i have to persist longer.

Thanks
1 reply

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Alexa Smith

Banned 13 years ago

Originally Posted by Schwan

Do you have other tipps about succeding in the education niche?

No, sorry ... not one of my niches at all. But in many niches "my typical prospects" are middle-aged, affluent, educated, literate, upmarket sort of internet users (of whom there are millions, of course), because they're the type who like my writing, so I can kind of imagine "who you're talking to". At least to some extent.

Originally Posted by Schwan

Im monitor my open rates, they are about 20% or so.

Hmmm, that does seem a little low. (Mostly I was just checking that you do monitor them, though!).

Originally Posted by Schwan

until now six messages are automatically sent out they first 10 days.

Not enormously different from what I do (I send email on days 1, 3, 6, 10, 15 and thereafter at 5-day intervals for ever).

Originally Posted by Schwan

So yeah they optin for a free report with learning secrets.

Sounds like the right sort of approach.

I wonder if you could increase your open-rate by changing the free report, and/or by using a different autoresponder (that's your cue to tell me you're already using Aweber, doubtless!), and/or however else ... :confused:

Originally Posted by Schwan

I think the problem is my young age (i'm in my 20s) and i think parents want older experts.

This could be so, yes.

How do they know your age?

(I'm 21 but keep quiet about it, use pen-names and don't use the sort of photos of myself on my niche sites that I show here ... here, I don't mind people "knowing who I am" and can use my real name and photos and so on).

Yes, you definitely need to persist much longer, but it would also be good to increase that open-rate. :confused:

Do you put prominent things in the free report that encourage them to open the subsequent emails?

There'll also always be some who opt in for the free report, never intend to open anything else from you again, and don't (but don't unsubcsribe either - typically because they've used a "spare email address" they keep for people they don't yet trust, and only open something they're specifically expecting there). You can't avoid that.

Thanks
1 reply

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Schwan

13 years ago

hi alexa and thanks for your help so far,

-i don't use aweber. Its one of the smaller autoresponder providers.

-About the low open rate: i think the report is ok the content is good (in my opinion).
But what bothers me is my personality video: Its a video the visitors see directly after they opted in. In this video I introduce myself
(its about 6 Minutes but the average time the visitors stay is only 3 Minutes.)
Maybe they don't see me as an expert, because i introduce myself like: Hey i had good grades in school so i'll show your kid how it has to be done. What's your opinion about that?

-

But do they know your age?

They know my age if they watch the video and they would know that i'm between 20 and 29. Should i leave out this fact?

- it takes a little while to wirte a new newletter.
The intervall for now is: Day 0, Day 1, Day 3, Day 5, Day 6, Day 8.
So do you think i can strech the intervall to Days 0,1, 4, 6, 8, 11 ?

- the mails send them to a quite long salesletter. (i just copied the structure of another salesletter, so my salesletter is good for cold traffic a high priced product, although in my case the visitors know me and the product isn't high priced.
Do you think i should shorten the salesletter, because they know me and my product isn't so expensive?

Yes, you definitely need to persist much longer,

Ok i will write more newsletters for the autoresponder. Lets do this!

Ps:
Talking further about the low open rate: I hope the rate will increase because the last test was during the easter hollidays where people are maybe on vacation or don't bother about the grades of there kids, so i hope now, as the hollidays are over the open rate will rise
PPs: I'm 20 we have our young age in common. Congratiulations that you're already in different niches! I will inform you if i'm succesfull.

Thanks
1 reply

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Alexa Smith

Banned 13 years ago

Hey

I have to tell you, I know nothing about video and have never used it, myself, so I'm not the right person to advise you, here.

Originally Posted by Schwan

i introduce myself like: Hey i had good grades in school so i'll show your kid how it has to be done. What's your opinion about that?

It doesn't sound bad at all, to me.

Originally Posted by Schwan

The intervall for now is: Day 0, Day 1, Day 3, Day 5, Day 6, Day 8.
So do you think i can strech the intervall to Days 0,1, 4, 6, 8, 11 ?

I think it won't make much difference either way, honestly.

Originally Posted by Schwan

- the mails send them to a quite long salesletter. (i just copied the structure of another salesletter, so my salesletter is good for cold traffic a high priced product, although in my case the visitors know me and the product isn't high priced.
Do you think i should shorten the salesletter, because they know me and my product isn't so expensive?

I'm foolhardy to answer without seeing them (and I've done some copywriting and will happily take a look if you want to send them by p.m.) but my own instinctive answer is very much "probably yes", because the sort of sales page you'd use for "coldish traffic" and the sort you'd ideally want to use for people on your list, with whom you have a relationship, might be pretty different.

If I'm right about the demographics of your traffic overlapping with mine to any extent, I just hope the style of sales page you've copied isn't an "in your face" one with lots of bright red lettering, because "those customers" may hate that ... :confused:

The art, with those customers, is to become the person from/through whom they'll buy, after not buying from others (often because they can't stand their screaming sales pages!).

Originally Posted by Schwan

I hope the rate will increase because the last test was during the easter hollidays where people are maybe on vacation or don't bother about the grades of there kids

Yes, I see that it might be a bit seasonal. Good luck!

Thanks
1 reply

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Schwan

13 years ago

Thank you for offering to have a look on my sales-letter. Here is the link: (surprise! its german

)

so i posted the google translator link for you:

Google Übersetzer

(normal Link: Lernlust statt Notenfrust? So ist's möglich -)

I know its hard this way because its translated.

Here is a little summary of the sales-letter:

1) -Attention grabbing headlines -
2) -Introduction, talking about the problems bad grades cause. With links to different themes on 4)
3) -Describing content of the product
4) -talking about problems at school and pointing out my product is the solution.
-ps.

Well and the sales-letter links to the second page with payment options:
Google Übersetzer

(normal link: https://ssl-id.de/schul-ratgeber.com...rs_testen.html)

have a great day, schwan

ps: I could'nt send it via p.m. because i don't have enough posts
pps: I steched the intervall of the autoresponders now
ppps: Hope the google tranlator link works out for you

Thanks
1 reply

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Alexa Smith

Banned 13 years ago

Originally Posted by Schwan

ps: I could'nt send it via p.m. because i don't have enough posts

Sorry - of course: I see what you mean.

Thanks - I'll get back to you later today by p.m. and enclose my email address.

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JohnMcCabe

13 years ago

Schwan, most of what I do targets the same type of demographic Alexa laid out - middle-aged, affluent, at least somewhat educated. And (surprise, surprise), I'm seeing the same type of results.

These are mainly folks who came of age before cell phones, the Internet, etc. They've been around the block a time or two, and many of them have the burn scars to prove it. So they take a little time to warm up to you.

If people are abandoning your video halfway through, look at your video. You're saying something that's turning them away.

And I would definitely test a shorter sales page, written in the same tone as the newsletters. Much of the stuff covered in a long form sales letter written for cold traffic is stuff you should have already covered in your AR sequence.

On a side note...

Many of the people you are marketing to had spelling drummed into their heads from elementary school on. If you use "creative" spelling, like 'rullz' for 'rules' and a 'z' to make plurals, you may be turning them off without even trying...

I mention that because in this particular case, I am my market...

Thanks
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Alexa Smith

Banned 13 years ago

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

Schwan, most of what I do targets the same type of demographic Alexa laid out - middle-aged, affluent, at least somewhat educated. And (surprise, surprise), I'm seeing the same type of results.

Ooh, interesting. I didn't know that. I'm not surprised, but I hadn't realised.

I agree with your entire post, of course, as ever ...

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

I mention that because in this particular case, I am my market...

That's convenient! I generally have to project as far as my parents, who "are my market" (usually).

Thanks

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impact-productions 13 years ago

With that kind of demographic, they're not in a hurry to buy, and are willing to put research in.

I see them more likely to be a book on the subject from Amazon and wait for it to be shipped, than to ever buy through an autoresponder series.

Of course, getting a physical book set up - and then promoting it through an autoresponder series (perhaps with an instant access downloadable version with extras) would let you test out both worlds. It would also help with the expert branding and would be worth considering.

Thom
- Thanks
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webmaster1742

13 years ago

Send as much free stuff to your mailing list as u can - until u feel sorry. U will be rewarded - they will buy from with double strenth... this is proven.

Alex
Clickbank Apex premium member ( CB top 100 affiliates )

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Schwan

13 years ago

hi impact-productions,

Thx for your post!

I see them more likely to be a book on the subject from Amazon and wait for it to be shipped, than to ever buy through an autoresponder series.

This bothers me a little bit, but its good that you gave your opinion. (What do the others think about this?)

Do you suggest that i sell an ebook? So would u think if my book is physical they would more likely buy through an autoresponder then from amazon?

Well the problem with a just a physical book without internet marketing is the low margin and a low chance for upsell, i think.

Thanks
1 reply

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JohnMcCabe

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Alexa Smith

Ooh, interesting. I didn't know that. I'm not surprised, but I hadn't realised.

I agree with your entire post, of course, as ever ...

That's convenient! I generally have to project as far as my parents, who "are my market" (usually).

Deep Throat told Woodward and Bernstein to "follow the money", and I've always found that to be sound advice. The affluent are least affected by economic changes.

> The poor already spend most of their money on necessities anyway, so in bad economic times they continue to do so but their money doesn't go as far.

> The middle classes spend a large chunk of their money on a better class of necessities and some luxuries. When times get bad, they either pull in their horns and wait things out, or they max out their credit and are forced to wait things out. Either way, they stop buying non-necessities or cut back on the quality of those purchases to save money.

> The affluent are relatively unaffected. They spend a fairly small percentage of their money on necessities already, so they don't cut back on their lifestyles. Do you think someone who buys hours on a private jet really cares if gas hit $4/gallon?

Originally Posted by Schwan

hi impact-productions,

Thx for your post!

This bothers me a little bit, but its good that you gave your opinion. (What do the others think about this?)

Do you suggest that i sell an ebook? So would u think if my book is physical they would more likely buy through an autoresponder then from amazon?

Well the problem with a just a physical book without internet marketing is the low margin and a low chance for upsell, i think.

If you want to see how to use a physical book to upsell, cross-sell, and just plain sell, get a copy of any of Dan Kennedy's "No B.S." business books. They do a great job (if you believe Kennedy) of getting people to try his paid newsletter, courses, seminars, and inner circle programs.

Thanks
1 reply

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Alexa Smith

Banned 13 years ago

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

Deep Throat told Woodward and Bernstein to "follow the money"

Oooh, yes, the mysterious unseen guy in the underground car park? It came out who he really was, quite recently, I think?

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

and I've always found that to be sound advice. The affluent are least affected by economic changes.

Yes, indeed. I've always thought you need recession-proof customers, perhaps more than "recession-proof products".

The thing is, with the "online, English-speaking markets" being so huge, there are millions of people in "that group" now.

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

I have only one of his books, I think - and will get more; thank you.

Thanks
1 reply

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ghettoracer 13 years ago

Alexa etal do you mean email "list" marketing? If so how do you build your lists and not spam?

Thanks JD
- Thanks
- 1 reply
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- Alexa Smith Banned 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by ghettoracer
  
  Alexa etal do you mean email "list" marketing?
  
  Yes ... in this context, "list" means a list of email addresses from people (who've opted in on one of your websites and thereby given you their permission to send them emails ... it's also known as "permission-based marketing").
  
  Originally Posted by ghettoracer
  
  If so how do you build your lists and not spam?
  
  The normal way is that you have an "opt-in" on your blog/site (or on a "squeeze page", which typically means just an opt-in with no other content to speak of on the page), and people input their email addresses to receive stuff from you (you can ask them to input their name as well, if you want, or anything else in addition, but everything extra you ask for reduces the number who'll do it). Then you send them (normally) an automated email series, to which they've consented, so it isn't "spam".
  
  Typically, you offer them a "free report" or something similar, as an incentive to give you their email addresses, and the first (or sometimes second) email you send them will contain the download-link to the "free report" they wanted.
  
  Each email you send them can give them "easy unsubscribing instructions", too, in case they've changed their minds about receiving them. (I believe that in America you more or less have to do that, and although it isn't a legal requirement in any other country, it can be a good thing to do anyway, because it reduces the chances of their feeling you're spamming them and they can't avoid it, which in turn reduces your chance of being "reported as a spammer").
  
  This is the general idea, anyway.
  
  Thanks
  
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Schwan 13 years ago

hi JohnMcCabe,

Thx for your insights on the customer. I never thought about it in this way and it gives me confidence to send more messages. (previously i gave up after 5 mailings)
I will also re-record (what a word) the audio of the video for more professionality.

And yes your right my spelling is creative so i pay somebody to review my texts before publishing them!
- Thanks
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List Marketing Rullz?

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