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What is a List??

by jthall89
24 replies
What is a list, why do I need one, and how do I make one?

I have recently started a web design company and have been using telemarketing to drum up business.
#list
  • Profile picture of the author jamesrich1
    A list is a group of subscribers that have opted in to either receive your newsletter or free gift. A marketer builds a list to be able to communicate with his target audience and offer value over time. He uses that list to make money by making product recommendations and also marketing his own product. The bigger and more responsive your list the more you can make.
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    • Profile picture of the author demolititiondan
      Originally Posted by jamesrich1 View Post

      A list is a group of subscribers that have opted in to either receive your newsletter or free gift. A marketer builds a list to be able to communicate with his target audience and offer value over time. He uses that list to make money by making product recommendations and also marketing his own product. The bigger and more responsive your list the more you can make.
      James information is pretty good, but I would also add that to have a means of collecting a list and e-mailing them you'll need an e-mail marketing subscription to a service like Aweber to acheive this and they offer a $1 for 30-days so you can't go wrong really

      EDIT: To generate this list as a web designer, have people signup to your list to receive a website quote, perhaps the latest offers on sites etc etc. Give them an incentive to signup
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      • Profile picture of the author jthall89
        Originally Posted by demolititiondan View Post

        James information is pretty good, but I would also add that to have a means of collecting a list and e-mailing them you'll need an e-mail marketing subscription to a service like Aweber to acheive this and they offer a $1 for 30-days so you can't go wrong really

        EDIT: To generate this list as a web designer, have people signup to your list to receive a website quote, perhaps the latest offers on sites etc etc. Give them an incentive to signup
        Thats the trouble. I build one type of site for a set price. I cant really think of any incentive to sign up for my newsletter...
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        • Profile picture of the author REHughes
          Originally Posted by jthall89 View Post

          I cant really think of any incentive to sign up for my newsletter...
          If you also do your own graphics, you could offer them a package of original graphics of some sort that they could use on their own site.

          Make it something they can't refuse. Awesome graphics are always a good incentive.

          Prove to them that your work is far superior to their own or maybe someone elses.

          Keep your company in front of them, and eventually they may see that they can't do without your services.

          Hope this helps,
          Robert
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  • Profile picture of the author jthall89
    any ideas on how I could do this as a web designer?
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    • Profile picture of the author atrbiz
      Originally Posted by jthall89 View Post

      any ideas on how I could do this as a web designer?
      Jeff,

      I've been running a successful SEO/Web Design firm for a few years now and I have an email list of 1200+ business owners email - I send them tips on marketing each month and each month I get a few hot leads from from monthly emails. Basically now I have a list of 1200+ potential clients...at anytime anyone of them can call me and sign up for my services.

      It's powerful!...just don't send your list JUNK content...send them quality info!

      Best of luck!
      Ahmad
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  • Profile picture of the author jamesrich1
    You would target people looking for web designers. The best thing to do would be to use ppc which is pay per click for targeted keywords. You would first go to google and do a search for "google free keyword tool" Use the keyword tool as if you are your prospect searching for a website designer. Example: "Sacramento Web designer" would be the term I would look for. You then would set up a ad with Google ppc to advertise your company on the side of the search engine results. You could also list your services on places like warriors for hire, elance and other outsourcing style websites. The most common way that I see web designers advertising is through use of pay per click. There is also Yahoo ppc, MSN ppc, Facebook ppc and more. The key is to find the words your target audience is searching for and then position your ad so they can find you.
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  • Profile picture of the author jamesrich1
    I don't see the need of you building a list, just clients.
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    • Profile picture of the author jthall89
      Originally Posted by jamesrich1 View Post

      I don't see the need of you building a list, just clients.
      Kind of the way I feel too. Just trying to think outside of the box as far as gathering different types of clients. I think I get stuck in the restaurant, salon, auto repair shop mode and tend to overlook a lot of different opportunities. I wish I could find a forum for inventors of new products as I feel like that would be a gold mine for people who need a nice quick web site.
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    • Profile picture of the author atrbiz
      Originally Posted by jamesrich1 View Post

      I don't see the need of you building a list, just clients.
      Yes but at the same time...saving email addresses of prospective/potential clients is powerful. Just because they don't buy now doesn't mean they won't purchase a few months later or be interested in another offer you may have.

      I agree go for clients but at the same time email marketing is powerful, I sign up several high paying clients each quarter from email marketing and it only takes a few hours of time each month (which my VA handles).

      Thanks,
      Ahmad
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  • Profile picture of the author demolititiondan
    I'd disagree with James on the PPC side of things. If your asking questions like what a list is well you'd just be throwing money away by going into PPC so early on into your IM career.
    I'd keep it simple and start through Yahoo Answers and post your site there for traffic or alternatively invest in a SEO Service here on the WF
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  • Profile picture of the author jthall89
    How can yahoo answers drive traffic to my site?
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  • Profile picture of the author jamesrich1
    Yahoo answers is not a scalable business model. PPC on the other hand does have a learning curve but can offer tons of targeted traffic and bring the exact people searching for what you have. You can target the words that people are searching for to find web designers. Don't really know what to tell you about using yahoo answers as a scalable method. Yes ppc cost money but doesn't it cost money to properly market your business?
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  • Profile picture of the author jamesrich1
    atrbiz YOU win. Your too convincing. I never thought that a web design service would need to build a list but by your own experience they do. I learn something new here everyday. I am willing to admit when I am wrong. I am wrong.
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    • Profile picture of the author atrbiz
      Originally Posted by jamesrich1 View Post

      atrbiz YOU win. Your too convincing. I never thought that a web design service would need to build a list but by your own experience they do. I learn something new here everyday. I am willing to admit when I am wrong. I am wrong.
      No worries man. We're all here to learn something new and share our experiences. I'm always willing to help out my fellow Warriors.

      - Ahmad
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  • Profile picture of the author zonkow
    How much does aweber cost after $1 30 day trial?
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  • Profile picture of the author jamesrich1
    $19 bucks a month for the lowest level and then it goes up based on the size of your list. Go check them out.
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  • Profile picture of the author Webpromotion
    Every business can benefit from a list.

    This is how you would build yours.
    Write or pay someone to write you an EXCEPTIONAL article on 10 amazing things on how to build your FIRST web site.
    This article will cost you around $100... do not go for the cheap $10 articles.
    This article has to really be publication US magazine quality.
    Create a PDF.
    and offer it as a free download for their email address.
    That article will build your list.
    And they will all be new people looking into getting a website.
    first customer you get will pay all the cost of this project.

    Good Luck
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    • Profile picture of the author jthall89
      Originally Posted by Webpromotion View Post

      Every business can benefit from a list.

      This is how you would build yours.
      Write or pay someone to write you an EXCEPTIONAL article on 10 amazing things on how to build your FIRST web site.
      This article will cost you around $100... do not go for the cheap $10 articles.
      This article has to really be publication US magazine quality.
      Create a PDF.
      and offer it as a free download for their email address.
      That article will build your list.
      And they will all be new people looking into getting a website.
      first customer you get will pay all the cost of this project.

      Good Luck
      Where would I find someone qualified to do this?
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  • Profile picture of the author Ken Somerville
    Jeff

    I think you need to start with the basics of marketing. There are all types of ways to market your product/service. Take a look at the free course link below. It will give you a better understanding of how and why to market.

    As far as list building and understanding why you need a list and what you should do with it take a look at this article, is will help. Why You Make Money With A List. | Welcome to the Ken Somerville Home Page/blog
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  • Profile picture of the author Troy_Phillips
    Offer your potential list client a free graphics pack. Once they get the pack, let your "thank you for getting my free graphics" page offer free hosting for a month if they use your design.

    If they decide against the design at the time, offer them hosting for a month for $1. The dollar will almost disappear with the fees associated but .. wouldn't it be bad to give everyone a free month and find out several of them have no way of paying for your hosting once the fee kicks in?

    Now you have a list of people who are interested in website graphics, have options to do everything from offering site content to individual pages to full blown sites. Plus you now offer hosting services through a reseller
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