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Need Critique : Building Small Business Owner Email List?

by payoman
11 replies
What if I asked small business owners for their email address and set up an auto-responder email list with marketing tips and ideas?

Has anyone tried this before?

I think it would be an idea to keep contact going even after they say 'no' to a cold call proposition, you could say something like :

"Well, thanks for your time today anyway, one last thing : my business sends out weekly emails filled with marketing ideas and strategies to small businesses in (x location) on a regular basis, would you be interested in trying it? It's free of course and you can just click a link in the email to stop receiving email if you prefer."

What are peoples thoughts?
#building #business #critique #email #list #owner #small
  • Profile picture of the author Peter ONeill
    Originally Posted by payoman View Post

    What if I asked small business owners for their email address and set up an auto-responder email list with marketing tips and ideas?

    Has anyone tried this before?
    Yes Yes Yes... This is a fundamental part of an offliners business!

    Originally Posted by payoman View Post


    "Well, thanks for your time today anyway, one last thing : my business sends out weekly emails filled with marketing ideas and strategies to small businesses in (x location) on a regular basis, would you be interested in trying it? It's free of course and you can just click a link in the email to stop receiving email if you prefer."

    What are peoples thoughts?
    Your script could be improved upon a bit I think.... Stress more the benefit of them joining your email list
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    I do it.. I wouldn't say it's something that brings a noticeable change in business or turning their no into a yes, but I get an extra few sales a month because of it. Also seem to get a few people that were referred to me by these people since it establishes myself as an expert and they remember me.

    Why not? Do it, and test the results out yourself. Every little bit helps, right?
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  • Profile picture of the author payoman
    Yeah especially when you are starting out and only have 2 clients haha
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by payoman View Post

      Yeah especially when you are starting out and only have 2 clients haha
      Nothing to laugh at buddy! You have 2 more than the majority of the people visiting this forum and doing nothing. Everyone starts off with 0 clients.. You already have 2... now imagine getting another 4 in the next month or so and you just increase your business by 200%. Pretty good..

      Just keep it up.. The thing that I like about you is that you're asking questions WHILE you're doing business. You aren't just taking in all the information on this board and just sitting there waiting for the right moment to get started.
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      • Profile picture of the author Alex Makarski
        You should absolutely do that. It's a no-brainer.
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        "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." -Confucius

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      • Profile picture of the author beeswarn
        I second IAmNameless's general opinions in post #5, above. Here are my best answers to your actual questions:

        What if I asked small business owners for their email address and set up an auto-responder email list with marketing tips and ideas? Maybe 10% of them will give them to you, and 90% of your auto-responding messages will go unread, into a spam-filter or manually discarded into the trash. Fewer than 1.5% of all you send will convert, no matter what you offer them.

        Has anyone tried this before? Yes, hundreds of thousands of people, millions of times. As a solitary business development plan, it stinks. I hope that's not what this is for you. That would be a true "no brainer."

        What are peoples thoughts? If this takes much time away from executing your actual business plan, it will cause a disaster for you.

        Keep putting in the time and honest effort to prospect with telephone calls and in-person appointments. You'll make it. There are no easy ways. If you're doing something really easy, no one will pay you to do it.
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        • Profile picture of the author payoman
          Originally Posted by beeswarn View Post

          I second IAmNameless's general opinions in post #5, above. Here are my best answers to your actual questions:

          What if I asked small business owners for their email address and set up an auto-responder email list with marketing tips and ideas? Maybe 10% of them will give them to you, and 90% of your auto-responding messages will go unread, into a spam-filter or manually discarded into the trash. Fewer than 1.5% of all you send will convert, no matter what you offer them.

          Has anyone tried this before? Yes, hundreds of thousands of people, millions of times. As a solitary business development plan, it stinks. I hope that's not what this is for you. That would be a true "no brainer."

          What are peoples thoughts? If this takes much time away from executing your actual business plan, it will cause a disaster for you.

          Keep putting in the time and honest effort to prospect with telephone calls and in-person appointments. You'll make it. There are no easy ways. If you're doing something really easy, no one will pay you to do it.
          Interesting response, but I am not quite sure I understand where you are coming from.

          I just finished watching a Frank Kern seminar that basically ONLY talked about email lists. And most people on this forum talk about how 'the money is in the list'. So I'm confused on your response, is it because they are business owners or some crucial difference?

          I think as long as you offer something truly great in your first few emails, they might get a read. Especially with smartphones these days, you can read your email in your lunch break no matter what you do for a job...
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          • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
            Originally Posted by payoman View Post

            Interesting response, but I am not quite sure I understand where you are coming from.

            I just finished watching a Frank Kern seminar that basically ONLY talked about email lists. And most people on this forum talk about how 'the money is in the list'. So I'm confused on your response, is it because they are business owners or some crucial difference?

            I think as long as you offer something truly great in your first few emails, they might get a read. Especially with smartphones these days, you can read your email in your lunch break no matter what you do for a job...
            I think you're confusing internet marketing and offline marketing. The results are going to be lower for you, doing that for potential offline clients. The money IS in the list for internet marketing, but probably when they are doing opt ins and not asking over the phone for it. There are better ways to build your list.

            Be careful payoman.. I think you might be bouncing around too much. Why are you straying away from what already has worked for you?

            The quality of emails you ask for over the phone really aren't wonderful. I've done this because I have my own strategy, but even though I do it... conversions are less than 1% when you're offering services.

            Place higher priority on the calls itself, not the emails and you will do just fine!
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            • Profile picture of the author payoman
              Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

              I think you're confusing internet marketing and offline marketing. The results are going to be lower for you, doing that for potential offline clients. The money IS in the list for internet marketing, but probably when they are doing opt ins and not asking over the phone for it. There are better ways to build your list.

              Be careful payoman.. I think you might be bouncing around too much. Why are you straying away from what already has worked for you?

              The quality of emails you ask for over the phone really aren't wonderful. I've done this because I have my own strategy, but even though I do it... conversions are less than 1% when you're offering services.

              Place higher priority on the calls itself, not the emails and you will do just fine!
              I have decided to focus just on the phone, thanks for the advice nameless, appreciated!
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  • Profile picture of the author racso316
    For sure! Communication is key. You educate them, provide value, follow up, come up with new offers, discounts, help, advise, etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author NickSway
    It really depends on what you are trying to accomplish. The concept is great, but getting business owners to, one, give out their email address; two, read your emails; and three, actually purchase your services is going to be very difficult. Though if you are offering social media, SEO, and other related services you may find it very lucrative.
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