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Is there a way to build lists for free?

by neil_k
13 replies
So I'm fairly new to internet marketing, and I sell my own ebook and also affiliate with some other products in my niche.

I've been reading some posts here and doing some research and it seems like the way to make money from affiliating is to build a list of subscribers so I can then sell to them in the future. I have some questions about building lists:-

1) What is the best way to add an 'opt in' to a website? I mean, I was thinking of giving away a free ebook in the first page of my site so I can lure people in and get their email address onto my list, is this a good strategy?

2) Is there a way to build a list and send out automated emails for free? I don't have much money right now and need to stick to free marketing as much as possible.

Thanks for your help.
#build #free #lists
  • Profile picture of the author Matt Morgan
    1) What is the best way to add an 'opt in' to a website? I mean, I was thinking of giving away a free ebook in the first page of my site so I can lure people in and get their email address onto my list, is this a good strategy?

    Use a service like aweber or getresponse to collect email addresses and names. In order to get them offer them a free ebook report which has value in. 'How to' or '10 ways' reports work great as an incentive!

    2) Is there a way to build a list and send out automated emails for free? I don't have much money right now and need to stick to free marketing as much as possible.

    I wouldnt recommend using a free autoresponder as the paid ones offer better a service and features.

    You must learn that in the long term long term you will have to put some money into your services and projects in order to get more progress. You would have to give up your early profits and put them back into your ventures.

    You can only get very far on a minimum budget.
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  • Profile picture of the author BenFranklin
    If you want to save money on an autoresponder, you can look at the autoresponder scripts. They are a one time fee, BUT you will not always hit inbox.

    It would be much much better if you just bought an autoresponder account at Aweber or GetResponse.
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    • Profile picture of the author Sandra Martinez
      this is the only one I played with:

      phplist.com : Homepage : home

      the problem with it the last time I checked it (about a year ago) is that the autoresponder needs hacking to be implemented. It works after some messing around though.

      They probably solved it by now.

      Now, the main issue with self hosted email marketing is related with spam complaints. I'm not sure how this works, but this was the main reason against using it.

      They are providing a hosted version now. Not sure the cost, but it might be cheaper than the commercial versions.

      You might also want to check icontact, they have a starter package of 10 bucks a month.

      Sandra
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  • Profile picture of the author Rob Thayer
    1) Depends. You can build a big list very quickly if you give away a free report, etc., but the quality of your list is lower. The best list to build is one of satisfied customers.

    2) If you save money now, you'll probably lose subscribers later. If you use free autoresponder software and continue to grow your list, you'll eventually run into some kind of limitation... not to mention potential issues with sending out e-mails in bulk through a regular e-mail account. When you finally need to upgrade to a service like Aweber or GetResponse, you'll lose subscribers because they'll have to opt-in to your list all over again. Aweber is $1 for the first month, and something like $19 for up to 500 subscribers.
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  • Profile picture of the author InternetM39482
    Hi -

    Originally Posted by neil_k View Post

    1) What is the best way to add an 'opt in' to a website? I mean, I was thinking of giving away a free ebook in the first page of my site so I can lure people in and get their email address onto my list, is this a good strategy?
    Yep, that's fine for starters. You could do some video/PDF/e-mail newsletter (weekly/monthly/ w/e), etc to get them on the list.

    As for the how to do it, get aWeber or Getresponse when you're just starting out. They cost like $20 a month or so for less than 1000 subscribers.

    Originally Posted by neil_k View Post


    2) Is there a way to build a list and send out automated emails for free? I don't have much money right now and need to stick to free marketing as much as possible.

    Thanks for your help.
    Umm, for free, you can go with self-hosted solutions but I'm not too experienced with those. That might affect your deliverability rates though.

    You might also want to check out a fellow Warrior's Autoresponder -- Imnica Mail. His name is 'Richelo Killian' ... Check out the WSO section, he's got some pretty good deals there!
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  • Profile picture of the author mlord10
    You need a quality offer, and I would have an opt-in form on each page of my website or blog, and make sure that it is above the fold. No matter how great your report is, you are going to need to drive targeted website traffic in order to build your list quickly. There are a variety of ways that you can do this for free, including article marketing, classified ads, and forum posting (just make sure to post quality and relevant comments).

    As far as using a free auto-responder: DON'T DO IT. You will be much happier in the long run with a quality company such as aweber or getresponse. They are leaders in their respective industry for a reason.
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  • Profile picture of the author ngash
    Banned
    You can also use Wordpress membership site. There are a number of free membership plugins. I have tried S2Member and it worked ok.
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    • Profile picture of the author JayC81
      Originally Posted by ngash View Post

      You can also use Wordpress membership site. There are a number of free membership plugins. I have tried S2Member and it worked ok.
      Very good advice.
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  • Profile picture of the author ivanadee
    hi...
    freeautobot is a free autoresponder
    but i highly recommend you to use aweber or getresponse.
    free autoresponder is only good if you are still learning how autoresponder works. you can use it as simulation
    but if your really take it into action, just invest some money to a paid autoresponder
    hope this helps
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  • Profile picture of the author neil_k
    Nice one, I appreciate the advice and I'm ready to give this a go now and start building my list.
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  • Profile picture of the author LondonPaladin
    You have the right idea. Give away a gift in exchange for that email address.
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  • Profile picture of the author perpetualmike
    Another free autoresponder is Live Wire run by longtime marketer

    Gary Ambrose.
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  • Profile picture of the author GCostanza
    Use Aweber. It's only $1 for the first month, as someone else said. If you don't like it, you're out a buck.

    Mike
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