How to create newsletters to send to your list?

by Rezky
18 replies
Hello,

I'm new here! I have been searching for different methods of making money online. So far, I've tried several approaches but haven't been successful. After reading a good number of posts on WF and elsewhere, I came to the conclusion that building a list is the best way to go.

However, my biggest problem with list building is the huge amount of 'free' information that you have to send out to your list on a regular basis. In comparison, if I'm an affiliate who has a website with an evergreen content, I won't have to produce a huge amount of content.

What is daunting about the process of 'nurturing' your list is not actually writing the content, but how would you come up with all of the ideas for the emails??? Some people even suggest preparing one year's sequence of newsletters/emails beforehand! How could that be even possible?

So, my question is: what is the most practical and most convenient way of creating newsletters to be sent out to list members? Thanks!
#create #list #newsletters #send
  • Profile picture of the author Shaolinsteve
    List Building certainly is "essential" for us Online Marketers. I think you're taking the wrong approach and to me it seems as though you're just in this for the money.

    The importance of delivering good content, is key to building authority and building good relationships with your subscribers in the sense that they can resonate with you.

    The information that your providing should be free, but doesnt necesssarily mean that you have to give it all away. It depends on what you're aiming for. If it's a product you're trying to sell, then go into detail and resonate with them about what "the problem". The product would be the solution but be honest with them too.

    Or even better, buy the product yourself and keep them up to date on how it's working for you. Those who are trying to achieve similar results will question and get in touch. It's just a case of actually stepping out of that "behind the computer" frame of mind and to not hesitate with who you really are.

    Your subscribers and customers would often look up to those more successful than themselves. So even if you were to just reach out to them on Facebook, would be a confidence booster to show them that you are just human, and I guarantee you that your engagement will be much higher by doing this.

    Regarding your question... here's a tip. Find successful marketers that you resonate with. Peoples emails and blog content that really satisfy you. Then if they have a blog or posting on their Facebook wall... look at the posts that are getting good engagement.

    If there's a lot of comments, that's a good sign. If theirs a lot of likes... that's a good sign. This alone would give you more than enough content to come up with ideas for, but obviously just ensure that it's relevant to your subscribers.

    For example... if your Squeeze Page offer is a report about SEO... then talking about making money with Facebook won't be related. You may want to consider segmenting your list if that's the case, but I'm sure you get the point ;-)
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    • Profile picture of the author Rezky
      Originally Posted by Shaolinsteve View Post

      List Building certainly is "essential" for us Online Marketers. I think you're taking the wrong approach and to me it seems as though you're just in this for the money.
      Not really. I'm not in this just for the money. I understand the importance of being passionate or at least interested in the theme/topic of your niche. I just wanted to know whether other members in WF write all or most of their content themselves or they outsource it to someone else.

      Sometimes, I see people suggesting that you should outsource the content of your emails that will be sent to your list. But if I decide to outsource it, how could I be sure that the freelancer doing the work is actually passionate about the niche?

      As you can see, I'm in a dilemma. On the one hand, doing the research, writing and sending of the emails/newsletters would be a daunting task. Even if I'm passionate about the topic, I think it will eventually feel like a "job" or an obligation. On the other hand, if outsourcing is the solution, how would you know whether the other person is keenly interested in your niche or they are simply writing the content just for the money?

      What does everyone think? Please share your thoughts.
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      • Profile picture of the author discrat
        Originally Posted by Rezky View Post

        .

        Sometimes, I see people suggesting that you should outsource the content of your emails that will be sent to your list. But if I decide to outsource it, how could I be sure that the freelancer doing the work is actually passionate about the niche?
        Imo,outsourcing emails is not advisable.

        Would you "outsource" building a relationship with a neighbor or potential girlfriend ?

        Of course you wouldn't

        You want to use your own ideas, your own story, your own flair when talking with your Subs and engaging with them.

        Let them know who you are and what you are about and what you can offer them.

        You are limited in doing this when you outsource


        - Robert Andrew
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  • Profile picture of the author jbsmith
    A good way to start is to focus on a very particular email campaign that supports transitioning your lead from cold prospect to hot buyer for your main product(s).

    For us, that typically means we start from the product and work backward with a 7-10 part email campaign to begin with (we sometimes go back and add additional days or broadcasts after - but 90% of our buyers come from the first 7-10 emails against a given campaign)

    We start with the first 1-2 emails tapping into the desire/frustration of our lead around what it is they would like to improve

    Next, we share a story or stories of someone in their mindset who experienced dramatic change/improvement/ achieving the outcome we know they desire badly. This can be a story, case study, hypothetical, personal experience, etc...

    Then, we explain why existing solutions or techniques do not work and present the real differentiator (which aligns with the solution or product we intend to offer them of the course of the email funnel)

    We then craft an offer that clearly illustrates the possible outcome again aligning with their desire and using elements of social proof (testimonials, case studies, examples) with scarcity (limited time, extra bonus for short time, price increase, take away, etc...)

    After the initial campaign, we do have weekly follow ups with our lists which we typically take from our top blog posts to keep them plugged in and interested. When we have a new offer, we funnel from our larger list into a new funnel list to take them through another 7-10 part sequence designed once again to sell something specific

    Hope that helps,

    Jeff
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  • Profile picture of the author tyronne78
    Here are a few tips to help you with your email/newsletter marketing:

    -Write like you talk
    -Remember the 3 E's of email - Entertain,Educate,Earn
    -Tell stories
    -Don't be afraid to sell in your emails
    -Don't be boring (#1 sin in marketing)
    -Have fun!

    Hope that helps.
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    • Profile picture of the author Mvalerie79
      Originally Posted by tyronne78 View Post

      Here are a few tips to help you with your email/newsletter marketing:

      -Write like you talk
      -Remember the 3 E's of email - Entertain,Educate,Earn
      -Tell stories
      -Don't be afraid to sell in your emails
      -Don't be boring (#1 sin in marketing)
      -Have fun!

      Hope that helps.
      List building is promoted as one of the best ways to earn money but it really evolves other aspects of internet marketing. You will still need to build a landing page, have an offer, create emails that convert and choose affiliate products that convert.
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  • Profile picture of the author valmillercorl
    PLR - There are plenty of good PLR writers here on the WF. With just a few tweaks of the content you buy - you'll at least have a good start on getting content to get up and running. And PLR is cheap. Check out Tiffany Dow - she has tons of great PLR.

    Good luck!

    Valarie Miller
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  • Someone has been feeding you bullshit.

    You build the relationship and let the product do the teaching.

    Now, more than ever, people are looking to buy into people before they buy into their products. You don't build relationships by giving away free content. Free content is all over the bloody place.

    Doesn't mean you shouldn't ever give away free stuff. Just know that your competition is doing exactly what you're doing. Want to stand out? Don't do what everyone else is doing, because everybody else is struggling.

    Email is about building solid relationships with real people. If you think the best way to build those relationships, is by giving away more free stuff, you're seriously deluded, or at the very least, uneducated in this area, which seems to be more likely judging by your post.

    The best emails are the ones that are engaging, funny, kooky, controversial, personality driven, conversational and all that stuff real people resonate with. However, free content is further down that list by a country mile.

    A little tip here and there inside your emails is all you need to build a loyal list of fans. It's your personality that will do most of the heavy lifting.

    There's more to it than that, as that's just a basic overview, but it's enough to set your intention moving forward.

    - Declan
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    Strong Men and Women put themselves in harms way
    for the freedoms weak people give away for safety
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    • Profile picture of the author Lucian Lada
      Originally Posted by Declan O Flaherty View Post

      Email is about building solid relationships with real people. If you think the best way to build those relationships, is by giving away more free stuff, you're seriously deluded, or at the very least, uneducated in this area, which seems to be more likely judging by your post.
      I know a member here who makes roughly $40k month from "freebie seekers." And he or she also has incredibly high open rates.

      So I don't know why you say free content doesn't make money. It's true that some markets only respond to free content and when you hit them up with an offer, they won't even look at it, but that's why we are marketers: to figure out what works and what doesn't.

      What people don't put accent on is quality. They think that they can just send subscribers stuff. Well, if you're sending the same thing others are sending, then hello, of course chances are you won't make money. That's why I recommend doing extra research and finding out information that's not widely available, yet incredibly valuable. Such a source is printed books.

      As for relationship building, it's not that hard, and there are a lot of people who already gave good advice on it above.
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  • Profile picture of the author MrFume
    Yes, you have to actually put some thought and work into your online career, take an interest in the people you purport to'serve' and help, and use your brain to produce original thoughts. My gosh, outsourcing email composition, why would you do that. unless you want a pile of vanilla, boring generic rubbish being sent out - like 80-90% of the emails I get from lists - with no personality, no spark, no interest, just bullshit and links to an affiliate product - people complain of low opening rates, and decreasing responsiveness and they treat the people on their lists like idiots and milk cows, wow.
    Signature

    Journalism, the profession is undergoing a massive change since the WWW has arrived. I help people to build their personal profile and create a multi-media platform with WordPress, Podcasting, Writing and Video.
    Digital Media for a Noisy World

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  • Profile picture of the author Slade556
    Originally Posted by Rezky View Post


    What is daunting about the process of 'nurturing' your list is not actually writing the content, but how would you come up with all of the ideas for the emails??? Some people even suggest preparing one year's sequence of newsletters/emails beforehand! How could that be even possible?
    Of course it's possible!
    You don't have to send a newsletter each and every single day, you can send one per week, so you would only have to plan ahead your next 52 ideas! It's really not impossible, as long as you know a thing or two about your niche.

    Just take a look at the newsletters you personally subscribed to and actually like reading. What do they offer? What makes you want to read them and not send them to spam?
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  • Profile picture of the author Med Man
    A good idea is to sign up to as many internet marketers' lists a you can and learn from what they are doing. You will see what you like, which style, content, angle etc. then you can develop your own way and style. You will probably find they all talk about the same stuff, similar tips etc, but the angle and honesty level is different from one to another.

    Some people you might check out are Lee Murray, Michael Cheney etc.

    And if you're totally stuck for ideas, check out plr stuff on this forum.

    Hope this helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author gcbmark20
    Okay.......

    It's all a process!

    1. First you have to sell the OPEN ME title to get your readers to open
    the emails you send.

    2. Second you now have to SELL the clicks within your emails.

    3. Finally your readers can go through to the offer and you make a
    sale if other varying factors are in your favor.

    So you have to produce emails that are ENTERTAINING!!!

    But have lot's of value in them too.

    So add your own personality to your emails but use the content you have
    too within them.

    Tell them stories, your insights, news, anything that gets them on a slippery
    slope right down to your links.

    You must always be giving value and SELLING something too!

    Too much of one, all of one and not the other and you'll struggle.

    And don't OVER THINK this either.

    Take action, get a 30 day email campaign written or BUY one that
    has already been written for you!

    Add your links and start driving into your new ready made funnel.

    Start making sales.

    Your belief that you can do this will drop off the more you struggle to
    make your 1st sale and consistent sales online.
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    • Profile picture of the author Rezky
      Thanks everyone for the insightful and candid replies.

      I admit that I'm inexperienced and don't know much yet, but I have been doing my research for some time now.

      It seems that writing good newsletters is not exactly science but indeed an art and therefore mastering this art would only be possible through practice. But when you're new, you're struggling against sooo many things: getting distracted by other methods/systems, figuring out how to go about traffic and tackling all other associated uncertainties. I guess gcbmark20 was right when he said:

      Originally Posted by gcbmark20 View Post

      Your belief that you can do this will drop off the more you struggle to
      make your 1st sale and consistent sales online.

      That's why I guess you need some sort of a 'springboard', not to completely rely on it, but to help you practice and learn the ropes of the art of email marketing until you become an expert. Am I getting something wrong here?

      Perhaps I could use PLR content or a prewritten email campaign that I buy and then I could tweak it, add my personality...etc? Honestly, I won't complain about poor response or open rates since I'll be learning the process. I could be patient as long as some results, albeit poor, can be achieved. Or are you saying this won't work at all and I won't see any results?

      Also, could you please recommend reference materials specifically for writing ideal, engaging emails as well as mastering email marketing in general? I prefer books over other forms of online content.

      Thanks again for your help.
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    You have to become an expert in your field so that you can come up with content on the fly. The more you learn and master the subject area that you're selling in, you have to know virtually EVERYTHING about the niche - so that you can relay this info to your list.... and also provide yourself with alot of autoresponder messages. Do killer research, become the obvious expert, and people will pay.
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  • Profile picture of the author PBSolutions4U
    Originally Posted by Rezky View Post

    Hello,

    I'm new here! I have been searching for different methods of making money online. So far, I've tried several approaches but haven't been successful. After reading a good number of posts on WF and elsewhere, I came to the conclusion that building a list is the best way to go.

    However, my biggest problem with list building is the huge amount of 'free' information that you have to send out to your list on a regular basis. In comparison, if I'm an affiliate who has a website with an evergreen content, I won't have to produce a huge amount of content.

    What is daunting about the process of 'nurturing' your list is not actually writing the content, but how would you come up with all of the ideas for the emails??? Some people even suggest preparing one year's sequence of newsletters/emails beforehand! How could that be even possible?

    So, my question is: what is the most practical and most convenient way of creating newsletters to be sent out to list members? Thanks!

    I intially learned how to build really good email lists from watching several good youtube vids I found.

    I am sure you can find a ton of good tips and tricks if you youtube search or google search something like

    "Building Targeted Email Lists-Email Marketing How To-Get Email Leads"
    Signature
    Boost Your Sales & Website Traffic TODAY!
    CLICK HERE
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  • I do think sometimes we can over complicate the idea of selling by email.

    In my opinion, rather than think of writing to a list to make sales (puts the pressure on and makes it difficult), think in terms of writing to one friend.

    Think of this friend and write an email to him/her. Use personal experienced/stories to create/maintain/build the relationship and recommend a product or service in the way you would if you were writing to a friend. I know this always works better with me than the fancy hype filled sales pitch.

    I believe the use of prewritten emails is a great idea, especially for someone like yourself. As you have already said it allows you to learn as you earn. HOWEVER I would also stipulate two provisos:

    Firstly, makes sure the emails are of a decent standard that try to build a relationship, rather than just being a sales pitch.

    Secondly, as you mentioned, try to add a sentence or two here and there to bring a little of your personality into the mail. Eventually as you get more confident, you won't need anyone else to do the work for you.

    I hope this helps and I wish you all the best with your online adventures
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  • Profile picture of the author ContentPro22
    Your question is too broad to be answered by any one of us here in just a paragraph or two. You'll need to invest in yourself and watch videos on the topic, as well as take courses. There are dozens available online (many free ones on YouTube). Check those out, and once you learn more about how it works, you can then ask more specific question which will then allow others to give you more precise answers that can be readily applied.
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