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Build Your List First Then Market Your Product or Promote your Product While Building Your List?

by regska
23 replies
Hi Warriors,

Just need some advice from y'all. I'm doing internet marketing for almost 3 years now, all I do during the past 2 years is to sell, sell, and sell something, whether it's an ebook, software, physical products etc.. I never gave importance on building a list because I'm just doing it for part time before, and just for fun of earning something on top of my main income. Then I realized about 4 or 6 months ago that having a quality and responsive list is very important in the long term. I started to build a website with an opt-in form, hoping to get some subscribers while i sell my ebook. It's not doing good when it comes to getting subscribers, even though I get decent amount of traffic and sales. Of course I'm not contented even I'm getting some sales, because my goal right now is to build a huge list. Right now I'm getting sales every other day but less than a hundred subscribers in 4 months that i'm doing it.

Now my question is, do I need to build my list first by giving something valuable for free and then promote my product once I have enough subscribers or do I continue what I'm doing right now w/c is sell my product with an opt in form so that I'm selling something while building a list?
I'll give an example about my 2 websites. The first one is www.PLRContentRiches.com, you will see that there's an opt-in form and an ebook that i currently sell, that's the site I'm talking about not getting enough subscribers but a decent amount of traffic and sales "ONLY". The 2nd one is www.PrivateLabelUnlimited.com, there's no product for sale, just a squeeze page to give something valuable, and it's getting some subscribers from time to time compare to the first one.

Your advice and suggestions will be highly appreciated.

Thanks!
#build #building #list #market #product #promote
  • Profile picture of the author Rajan Cajan
    In my opinion I would not try to sell to a list right away, you need to build anticipation before trying to sell.
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  • Profile picture of the author Pragun
    See, as far as building a list goes, you should start giving out valuable stuff for free. That's what gets you subscribers.

    Once you have them, don't start sending out promos right away. Keep sending em good stuff to let them know that you're there to help, and not just sell.

    Once you have a good rep built, you can recommend a product every now and then, and that'll get you really good results...
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  • Profile picture of the author H3x
    Never try and sell stuff straight away on your list as you want to build a list of people who have confidence in you for providing quality material. Then once you have the trust of your subscribers you will be able to make repeat sales on different Products from the same people.
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    • Profile picture of the author regska
      Originally Posted by H3x View Post

      Never try and sell stuff straight away on your list as you want to build a list of people who have confidence in you for providing quality material. Then once you have the trust of your subscribers you will be able to make repeat sales on different Products from the same people.
      That's what I heard several times. people buys from the people they trust. thanks.
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      • Profile picture of the author Troy McDonald
        Build your list and as you are building your list, you can make offer(s).

        The number one thing is that you do built a relationship, a rapport with your list (well it will turn out to be a portion of your list, a segment.)

        Make sure that in your newsletters, updates you keep on topic as to what people signed up for. (I've seen too many people say their newsletter is about one thing and then just try and pitch anything they can to their list.)

        And look, just like you and I can smell crap mile away so can your subscribers. Don't just give them junk, but give them good stuff so that the relationship, the trust builds in you and then where appropriate, offer your products or affiliate products. But don't make your subscribers feel like they subscribed to Pitch Fest 101.
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        I will build your IM list for FREE!

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        • Profile picture of the author regska
          Originally Posted by Troy McDonald View Post

          Build your list and as you are building your list, you can make offer(s).

          The number one thing is that you do built a relationship, a rapport with your list (well it will turn out to be a portion of your list, a segment.)

          Make sure that in your newsletters, updates you keep on topic as to what people signed up for. (I've seen too many people say their newsletter is about one thing and then just try and pitch anything they can to their list.)

          And look, just like you and I can smell crap mile away so can your subscribers. Don't just give them junk, but give them good stuff so that the relationship, the trust builds in you and then where appropriate, offer your products or affiliate products. But don't make your subscribers feel like they subscribed to Pitch Fest 101.
          Thanks Troy! I'll definitely keep that in mind. A lot of people advised me to really value our subscribers, and not give them junk offers
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  • Profile picture of the author RGallowitz
    Provide value first.
    Also, communicate with them on a personal level such as video.

    Then later you can try and push one of your products. Hard selling on the first go is a no-no.


    Cheers
    Reinhardt
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  • Profile picture of the author Popstar
    If you're getting sales, you are building a list... the best kind of list... a list of buyers. I'd be thinking about what else I could sell them.

    On a specific page, you're probably better off guiding your readers toward one action only... buying or opting in. If more people are buying than opting in on that first page, then I'd leave it as a sales page. And create an optin on other pages.

    But even if your squeeze page builds a bigger list, you may not make more money than with a straight sales page. So try to make sure that what you give as a freebie naturally leads people to buy more of your products or you'll end up with a big list of freebie-seekers.

    The goal should be greater profits, not just a bigger list. At least, in my opinion.
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    • Profile picture of the author regska
      Originally Posted by Popstar View Post

      If you're getting sales, you are building a list... the best kind of list... a list of buyers. I'd be thinking about what else I could sell them.

      On a specific page, you're probably better off guiding your readers toward one action only... buying or opting in. If more people are buying than opting in on that first page, then I'd leave it as a sales page. And create an optin on other pages.

      But even if your squeeze page builds a bigger list, you may not make more money than with a straight sales page. So try to make sure that what you give as a freebie naturally leads people to buy more of your products or you'll end up with a big list of freebie-seekers.

      The goal should be greater profits, not just a bigger list. At least, in my opinion.
      Thanks for the advice. I'm getting some sales but not getting enough subscribers. I think I need to focus on building a huge list and provide value first and not focus on sales right away, coz I'm thinking of the long term, thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author affjourney
    The list should come before the product. and the list will be built by the value you offer/your content. then later on , you can build anticipation and then start promoting your products
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    • Profile picture of the author Kevin AKA Hubcap
      There's no right way or wrong way to build a list of buyers. The most important thing is to track what you're doing. If it's working find ways to amplify it. If its not working make adjustments or drop it.

      Some are saying that you should not sell to a list first... this is not gospel. Different lists respond differently. Some marketers send their optins to the sales page... some don't.

      Nothing is set in stone. It's up to you to figure out what is best for you and your particular list.

      Kevin
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      • Profile picture of the author regska
        Originally Posted by Kevin AKA Hubcap View Post

        There's no right way or wrong way to build a list of buyers. The most important thing is to track what you're doing. If it's working find ways to amplify it. If its not working make adjustments or drop it.

        Some are saying that you should not sell to a list first... this is not gospel. Different lists respond differently. Some marketers send their optins to the sales page... some don't.

        Nothing is set in stone. It's up to you to figure out what is best for you and your particular list.

        Kevin
        thanks kevin! i like the idea. it really depends on the type of your subscribers and the niche that you're involve with. i guess some marketers have the guts to offer something immediately, and to my surprise, they're doing it effectively. i guess i don't have the guts to do that, as i want to provide value and build relationship at first, but who knows, i might try that in the near future. thanks!
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  • Profile picture of the author regska
    Originally Posted by honestbizpro View Post

    It really depends on the niche how I would go about it.

    Yes, give a way a freebie for opt ins. Yes give great content. Then you can recommend "tools" right from the start that will increase the productivity of your niche.

    So while you are building a list and affiliating great tools like software, training etc. you can be creating your own original product or service to promote to your list later.
    thanks for the advice. honestbizpro.. ill definitely follow that step as a lot of people are giving me the same advice. get some subscribers first, continue providing valuable contents, and once we have their trust, offer them something that will also help them.
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    • Profile picture of the author Vanquish
      A great way to do what you want to do is to build a list with single opt in and when the use opts in you can redirect him to the sales page.

      Since the user has already taken enough action to opt in he will be more likely to buy when he gets re directed to your sales page. Qualified leads such as this convert at 2-3%.
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      • Profile picture of the author regska
        Originally Posted by Vanquish View Post

        A great way to do what you want to do is to build a list with single opt in and when the use opts in you can redirect him to the sales page.

        Since the user has already taken enough action to opt in he will be more likely to buy when he gets re directed to your sales page. Qualified leads such as this convert at 2-3%.
        you mean, redirect them to a "one-time offer" or the actual sales page after they opted in? that's a good idea, so i can build my list while selling something. I might do that in the future, because i'm kinda worried that they might unsubscribe because of "selling something right away", but honestly that's a good idea, i'll try that and see what results will i get.
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        • Profile picture of the author Vanquish
          Originally Posted by regska View Post

          you mean, redirect them to a "one-time offer" or the actual sales page after they opted in? that's a good idea, so i can build my list while selling something. I might do that in the future, because i'm kinda worried that they might unsubscribe because of "selling something right away", but honestly that's a good idea, i'll try that and see what results will i get.
          A one time offer would be good as well. What I like to do is create a value packed front end product and price it at $7 and make it appear after the sales page.

          This converts at 5-6% and it will build you a targeted list of buyers who will be eager to buy your 47 or 97 dollar product provided you over delivered on your $7 product.
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          Nothing to sell, only value to give and new knowledge to learn.
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          • Profile picture of the author regska
            Originally Posted by Vanquish View Post

            A one time offer would be good as well. What I like to do is create a value packed front end product and price it at $7 and make it appear after the sales page.

            This converts at 5-6% and it will build you a targeted list of buyers who will be eager to buy your 47 or 97 dollar product provided you over delivered on your $7 product.
            ok, we're talking about upselling right now after they opted in. i'll take your advice, that's a good idea if I have enough subscribers, lets say, at least not less than 200, but with less than 200, ill keep that in mind for future strategy. what I want to do now is to build a list, provide value, more contents, more gifts, and ill accept even im not getting sales yet. cause to be honest,im getting sales but not enough conversion to my opt-in form,meaning im not getting subscribers, so i cant follow up those people who bought my product before. overall, that's a good suggestion, at least i have added another strategy that I might use in the future. Thanks!
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    • Profile picture of the author regska
      Originally Posted by honestbizpro View Post

      Cool! You are on the right track my friend.

      Also keep in mind that fellow warriors are list owners as well. Once you have a product or service in place then you can seek out other complimentary products and services for a joint venture. Your list will then increase as well as make sales.
      That's also what i'm anticipating as well. the power of leverage really helps us when it comes to business, because we can do it on our own, but much better if we have help from others too. Thanks for that powerful advice!
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  • Profile picture of the author drmani
    Originally Posted by regska View Post

    Now my question is, do I need to build my list first by giving something valuable for free and then promote my product once I have enough subscribers or do I continue what I'm doing right now w/c is sell my product with an opt in form so that I'm selling something while building a list?

    Your advice and suggestions will be highly appreciated.

    You have TWO choices:

    * Listen to other people's opinions

    * Go ahead and do some testing (on a small level)

    So, if you follow 'conventional wisdom', you'll wait until
    you have a 'relationship' with your list before you start
    selling to them.

    Or, if you 'test', you'll start selling to a PART of your
    list, build 'relationships' with another PART of your
    list, and MEASURE how it works, which is better, how you
    feel most comfortable behaving - and then adapt your
    approach to the ideal solution... FOR YOU!

    My mentor taught me a powerful lesson.

    "The only risk you ever have to take, in business as in
    life, is an INEXPENSIVE TEST!"

    It has shaped my way of looking at things ever since

    All success
    Dr.Mani
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    • Profile picture of the author regska
      Originally Posted by drmani View Post

      You have TWO choices:

      * Listen to other people's opinions

      * Go ahead and do some testing (on a small level)

      So, if you follow 'conventional wisdom', you'll wait until
      you have a 'relationship' with your list before you start
      selling to them.

      Or, if you 'test', you'll start selling to a PART of your
      list, build 'relationships' with another PART of your
      list, and MEASURE how it works, which is better, how you
      feel most comfortable behaving - and then adapt your
      approach to the ideal solution... FOR YOU!

      My mentor taught me a powerful lesson.

      "The only risk you ever have to take, in business as in
      life, is an INEXPENSIVE TEST!"

      It has shaped my way of looking at things ever since

      All success
      Dr.Mani

      thanks dr.mani! that's really one of the keys to become successful, tweak,test a li'l bit and see the best results, and continue implement the best result that we got.
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