Best Ways To Build Relationships with List

9 years ago

Sounds to me like you were trying to spread to wide a net. Which is a very common mistake.

Family and Parenting as a "niche"? That's almost as bad as the "health niche" or the "relationship niche" - it's so wide as to be essentially meaningless.

And sending a collection of random tips and tidbits, along with untargeted affiliate promos, will tend to give you exactly what you got - no sales and declining open rates.

Are you a parent? Or did you pick your niche from some kind of keyword research? I'm guessing the latter.

To give you an extreme comparison, contrast the concerns of a young couple with their first child, still an infant, with the concerns of TLC's Duggar family (of "19 Kids and Counting" fame). Would they both find value in the same tips or products? Not likely.

If you want to be in the Parenting space, find yourself a real niche. Spend time observing parenting forums, Facebook groups, mommy blogs, etc. until you find a group of parents you can identify with. A group with common concerns, beyond the demonstrated ability to reproduce. Which still leaves out foster and adoptive parents, who have their own unique concerns.

To put it simply, stop trying to hit the whole target and aim for the bullseye...

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markeeter

9 years ago

As mentioned in the post above, you need to narrow down your niche. Instead of Parenting, pick something a little more specific.

One more thing, I wouldn't recommend sending emails everyday. How about you start by sending two or three posts a week. Build a solid relationship with them, establish yourself an expert, and then you can start promoting affiliate products.

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HTA Guy

9 years ago

@backlinkmasters
Well first of all,I would recommend to you to narrow your niche drastically and before you start sending affiliate offers to your list,you need to BUILD a solid relationship with them if you want to generate some serious money...
For example,when I was an affiliate for CB product about "potty training",I´ve sent it to my "young moms and dads"list of 1254 prospects and made a killing of it,probably because I started building list from scratch and I was using "Banner Media" ads on other people blogs that young parents search about potty training (that have a lot of visitors).

And before you send your affiliate offer,use C-C-C-P tactics (3xcontent,than you can pitch them)and it works like a charm,just research your topic and give a LOT of value to your list.

P,S. If you have the oportunity,try to get your hands on "Frank Kern-List Control"

Cheers,
Dino

Thanks

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Shaolinsteve

9 years ago

Originally Posted by backlinkmasters

I built a list of I think around 70 or so people, and I was trying to focus on building a relationship with them, but it wasn't working out very well.

Whether you had 70 or 7,000 how well were they responding? If the open rates where low, I guess a very small number of people were opening those emails? I think that Family and Parenting would be pretty tough, seeing as to me, it's more of a case of getting advice, rather than purchasing something to solve a problem.

However... I am quite sure that there are certain areas but as a broad niche, it could be very difficult. It's more of a consultant position, so unless you have a determined buyer to do whatever it takes to solve it, you may need to consider connecting with them on a personal level.

Whether that be via Skype, Facebook etc... be more open than just behind the email, and that will improve your chances of your subscribers being more open to you, and that way, you can get a better engagement and work with them, to solve their problems.

Thanks

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kingofthesouth

9 years ago

Originally Posted by backlinkmasters

Hello Warriors!

So I'm getting back into the email marketing game, after a short adventure into it a couple of months ago. I built a list of I think around 70 or so people, and I was trying to focus on building a relationship with them, but it wasn't working out very well.

It was in the parenting and family niche, and I would send them one email a day, and most of them were just providing them with tips for parenting or families or something about kids, which I thought would be relevant useful information for them. However, when I did send affiliate product offers to them, I never got any sales, and my open rates for any of my emails were pretty low.

I'm wanting to gather as much information about this before I start my venture again, because I don't want to sink a ton of money into this and mess up again.

Any advice would be really helpful, thanks so much!

Happy Holidays!

Hold a webinar conference! This way people can see and talk to you.
You can get the software for your computer. Just google it.

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Edwin Torres

9 years ago

Emailing daily is a good strategy. Now instead of promoting every once in a while, promote in EVERY email. The trick is to make the content "what to do not how to do it". So give them a tip but don't tell them exactly how to do it. The product is where they will learn the secret to whatever you're offering.

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Peter Kontango

9 years ago

make them forward to reading your email
give them cookies

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hmm

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Ghoster

9 years ago

Reduce your send frequency. I can't advise you further without seeing your emails.

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On the whole, you get what you pay for.

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jamescanz

9 years ago

Originally Posted by backlinkmasters

Any advice would be really helpful, thanks so much!

Happy Holidays!

Ironically enough, I like sending subscribers to my FB group.

That's where my value posts are, and can easily reply to others.

As far as emails, well, that's mostly for marketing (who woulda thunk?)

Thanks

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PaidAllDay

9 years ago

I'd switch your focus to building a list of buyers before worrying about the relationship. Buyers will automatically bond with you especially if the product they purchased was yours. Even if you're promoting affiliate offers you can still pull this off by being the trusted advisor.

The problem with starting w/ a freebie list is that these people might not be buyers and you're stuck with trying to get over the hump of turning them into buyers yourself. That can be a daunting task and quite frankly it's not worth it just jump to the front of the line and get buyers only.

How do you do this? Well, you can sell the product yourself and build the list automatically with JV Zoo or Warrior Plus integration for example. OR you can offer a bonus to buyers of a product. When they claim the bonus they will have to give you their email (use a squeeze page and it will be opt-in).

Thanks
2 replies

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JohnMcCabe

9 years ago

Originally Posted by PaidAllDay

I'd switch your focus to building a list of buyers before worrying about the relationship. Buyers will automatically bond with you especially if the product they purchased was yours. Even if you're promoting affiliate offers you can still pull this off by being the trusted advisor.

I'm not sure I buy into the idea that "buyers will automatically bond with you." Even if the product was yours. And if it's an affiliate product? Would they not bond with the product vendor, especially if said vendor has their act together and works to create that bond?

The way you become a trusted advisor is by giving trustworthy advice, or, in other words, building a relationship.

Originally Posted by PaidAllDay

The problem with starting w/ a freebie list is that these people might not be buyers and you're stuck with trying to get over the hump of turning them into buyers yourself. That can be a daunting task and quite frankly it's not worth it just jump to the front of the line and get buyers only.

Much of the problem with gathering lists of freebie hunters lies at the feet of the person offering the freebie. Too many separate list building, relationship building and monetization into different compartments. They pick a freebie that they believe will attract the most subscribers regardless of how it fits into the overall scheme of things. Getting as many people as possible onto the list is more important to them than getting the right people on that list. Your opt-in freebie should a) filter in the right people while filtering out the wrong ones and b) make taking the next step in your process the only logical smart move.

Originally Posted by PaidAllDay

How do you do this? Well, you can sell the product yourself and build the list automatically with JV Zoo or Warrior Plus integration for example. OR you can offer a bonus to buyers of a product. When they claim the bonus they will have to give you their email (use a squeeze page and it will be opt-in).

Both of those work, assuming you build the germ of a relationship such that the person trusts you enough to buy on your recommendation.

Remember, "building a relationship" involves creating a perception of the ability to fulfill the buyer's desire and fostering a belief that trading one's money for access to that ability is a viable, desirable action. Even if you're going for a small initial buy-in, you still need that germ of a relationship.

Building a long-term relationship in which both buyer and seller profit for months or years has to come after the germ, much like harvest has to come after planting, cultivating and nurturing.

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

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PaidAllDay

9 years ago

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

Even if the product was yours. And if it's an affiliate product? Would they not bond with the product vendor, especially if said vendor has their act together and works to create that bond?

The way you become a trusted advisor is by giving trustworthy advice, or, in other words, building a relationship.

Hello John, seems like this is the only part of the post you were unclear on so I will try to clarify. You kind of answer the question yourself though. You create the bond by becoming the trusted advisor and helping them find the solution to their issue. This is a shortcut way to jump into a niche as an affiliate and become a product creator.

So how do you become the trusted advisor when you're an affiliate? Something like this...

"Does Product X Really Work? Don't Buy Before You Read This Exclusive Report"

Then deliver on the promise and keep advising them to help them find a paid solution.

Thanks
1 reply

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JohnMcCabe

9 years ago

Originally Posted by PaidAllDay

Hello John, seems like this is the only part of the post you were unclear on so I will try to clarify. You kind of answer the question yourself though. You create the bond by becoming the trusted advisor and helping them find the solution to their issue. This is a shortcut way to jump into a niche as an affiliate and become a product creator.

So how do you become the trusted advisor when you're an affiliate? Something like this...

"Does Product X Really Work? Don't Buy Before You Read This Exclusive Report"

Then deliver on the promise and keep advising them to help them find a paid solution.

Maybe I misread you the first time, or you misread the original question.

The OP asked how to create a relationship with the list, and (as I read it) you told him to concentrate on building a list of buyers. You made the comment that "buyers will automatically bond with you." That's what created confusion somewhere along the path.

I simply said that there had to be a relationship of some sort before the purchase, and that the bonding was likely not "automatic."

And, to me, there has to be some minimal level of trust before a "does Product X really work" type report would have the desired effect. This seems especially true in the market spaces most favored by affiliate marketers, where buyers have a choice among several would-be trusted advisors.

So far, that one short snippet, that bonding would automatically occur after a purchase (meaning that no relationship was necessary before the purchase) is where we differ. And that's mainly if I did read your first post as you meant it.

Thanks
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PaidAllDay

9 years ago

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

And, to me, there has to be some minimal level of trust before a "does Product X really work" type report would have the desired effect. This seems especially true in the market spaces most favored by affiliate marketers, where buyers have a choice among several would-be trusted advisors.

A lot of the words you use indicate theory I'm just going off of my past results.

Thanks
1 reply

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JohnMcCabe

9 years ago

Originally Posted by PaidAllDay

A lot of the words you use indicate theory I'm just going off of my past results.

So you're saying that people who don't trust you at all will read your report and act on it to your benefit?

Not going to happen.

Notice I said "some minimal level of trust", not "here's my pin number and the keys to my house" trust.

Obviously, you need some minimal trust before someone will risk hitting the download button, even if that's only "I trust this person to deliver the report and not a virus that will kill my computer."

Not theory, my friend, human nature. Your past results, which I'm not questioning, suggest the theory is correct. The fact that you have positive results tells me you have the ability to foster that minimal level of trust from the content of the landing page.

Thanks
1 reply

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PaidAllDay

9 years ago

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

So you're saying that people who don't trust you at all will read your report and act on it to your benefit?

Not going to happen.

Notice I said "some minimal level of trust", not "here's my pin number and the keys to my house" trust.

Obviously, you need some minimal trust before someone will risk hitting the download button, even if that's only "I trust this person to deliver the report and not a virus that will kill my computer."

Not theory, my friend, human nature. Your past results, which I'm not questioning, suggest the theory is correct. The fact that you have positive results tells me you have the ability to foster that minimal level of trust from the content of the landing page.

I don't remember saying anything about people who don't trust you at all. I'm also not sure why my suggestions are the only ones you want to debate. The question the OP asked was how to get someone to buy from you not trust you. I'm offering suggestions on how to build a list of buyers who will make you money.

Originally Posted by backlinkmasters

However, when I did send affiliate product offers to them, I never got any sales, and my open rates for any of my emails were pretty low.

That sums up their problem in a nutshell they can't convert them to buyers so I'm saying start w/ buyers.

Thanks

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discrat

9 years ago

Originally Posted by PaidAllDay

I'd switch your focus to building a list of buyers before worrying about the relationship. Buyers will automatically bond with you especially if the product they purchased was yours. Even if you're promoting affiliate offers you can still pull this off by being the trusted advisor.

The problem with starting w/ a freebie list is that these people might not be buyers and you're stuck with trying to get over the hump of turning them into buyers yourself. That can be a daunting task and quite frankly it's not worth it just jump to the front of the line and get buyers only.

This is like trying to run before you walk. Of course you want to concentrate on building a list of Buyers.

But you should also concentrate on converting those 'initial' Freebie seekers into long term buyers. You do that using tactical persuasion and developing a certain skill set and yes by also
" worrying " about building relationships

I mean come on this does not even make sense. What are you going to say , 'well 5 people out of 70 have bought so far in the first two weeks so lets just consider the rest of this List perpetual freebie seekers " and delete them from Aweber lol.

Do some work and be a Salesman

- Robert Andrew

Thanks
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PaidAllDay

9 years ago

Originally Posted by JohnMcCabe

Correct me if I'm wrong, but what I'm reading in your comments is that you can get people to buy from you without trusting you. I'm saying that there must be some level of trust for a sale to take place.

You are wrong.

Originally Posted by discrat

I mean come on this does not even make sense. What are you going to say , 'well 5 people out of 70 have bought so far in the first two weeks so lets just consider the rest of this List perpetual freebie seekers " and delete them from Aweber lol.

Not my problem if you don't get it carry on then.

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Simextrades

9 years ago

I would focus on building a list of buyers and then work on building a relationship. I would also add that it would all depend on how you were obtaining the leads. whether you received the leads from a blog or if you were sending paid traffic to an opt in page. Their are multiple factors that would determine how you would best approach monetizing your list. Good luck

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Michael Karp

9 years ago

Building relationships with your list is all about being interpersonal. You should genuinely care about their problems and the issues they're having. Then you'll naturally tailor your tips and emails to cater to those needs.

I would suggest sending 1-3 emails per week, but pack them with insane value your list couldn't get anywhere else. Make your content in-depth and actionable. Give them everything they would need to solve their problems.

Then, sprinkle in emails that are pure text and relationship building. No links to content. No promotions.

Simply connect with them on a personal level. Discuss a certain struggle every parent has, what it means in the grand scheme of things, and how they could go about figuring it out.

Then, at the end of these "pure relationship building" emails, ask them to reply to your email if they have any concerns they want to ask you about.

You basically become their parenting therapist, or email confidant.

Then, when they've built up their trust in you, they'll know where to go when they need the affiliate offers you're promoting. They'll choose you over all of their other choices, because they trust your expertise and they trust you to follow through for them.

Think about your relationships in real life and what makes them special. Then translate some of the relevant similarities to your email list.

Thanks

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Custis

Banned 9 years ago

Value = Money!

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Javisito

9 years ago

Why don't survey your list to find out what they are interested in?

This is a very powerful thing to do yet I see many marketers who miss out on this thing.

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Edwin Torres

9 years ago

MISTAKE #1: Always giving away free stuff and not promoting anything.

When you just email your list tips and free advice and never pitch them a product that can genuinely help them they'll never buy. Unless your email copy is spot on and it hits all of the pain points, you won't get any sales.

You have to train your list to click on your emails and check out what you have to offer. You have to let them know you have their best interest in mind.

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MattSanti

9 years ago

It's not a requirement but if you are a part of your target market, you'll have a better understanding of what they think, how they feel and will be able to better to relate to them in an authentic way. It's kind of hard to give advice on parenting if you never were a parent...just saying. I certainly wouldn't be qualified to work in that area unless I partnered with someone who's already done it before....I just believe in delivering authenticity on anything I'm personally going to put my name on.

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JohnMcCabe

9 years ago

Originally Posted by PaidAllDay

I don't remember saying anything about people who don't trust you at all. I'm also not sure why my suggestions are the only ones you want to debate. The question the OP asked was how to get someone to buy from you not trust you. I'm offering suggestions on how to build a list of buyers who will make you money.

Looking back, I think we're simply redoing the old "which came first, the chicken or the egg" conundrum. If so, we'd best drop out of an unproductive spiral.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but what I'm reading in your comments is that you can get people to buy from you without trusting you. I'm saying that there must be some level of trust for a sale to take place.

Chicken or egg?

If I'm reading it right, agree to disagree and get the thread back on topic?

Thanks

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Aaron Autrey

9 years ago

They must trust you of course! Give them good, quality information and only sell to them 2-3 times a week max. It depends on the audience, your product, email titles, lots of different things. People ALWAYS buy when they trust you and they buy MORE once they've bought once from you.

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Best Ways To Build Relationships with List

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