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What do I send to my list next??

by eSubmarine
23 replies
I know this may sound like a stupid question. But I am really stuck here. Let me explain my story.

So when I started taking IM seriously (actually wanting to make a business not just doing it for a little spare cash with marketing web services to SME's) I thought right..... this list building stuff seems like the only way to make a business online the 'keystone' to online marketing if you like.

Off I go and I built my squeeze page for a nice free 56 page ebook which I wrote, that delivers really quality content for the newbie marketer (that's not trying to sound arrogant, I spent months making that little book it details some really cool mindset/marketing to SME's that works really well, I should know I don't just preach what I teach I DO what I teach).

I employed an outsourcer and sent him some traffic generation instruction I brought from another marketer. Great. The guide I got seemed to be doing the trick. It's mainly article marketing traffic, which I think is good for driving to a squeeze. A lot of them opted in too and people were loving my free content.

So traffic > squeeze > opt in > follow up1 (free content) > follow up2 (free content) > follow up3 (hard sell ebook)

So I am giving VALUE to my list. They love it, I get great responses from people saying how the content really helped them.

I follow-up with another juicy free video. In this I discuss the 5 mindsets people need to make money and then delve into setting up squeeze pages and list building on a very simple level (the level I have experienced it on).

Then I plug the sale for my $47 ebook on a details step-by-step guide on selling web services to local businesses and I got some pretty aright results from it. Sweet! That was nice and simple.

This little email strategy seems to work like a charm as by giving away free content you build reciprocity with your list and they actually want to hear from you and open your emails. I don't want to boast but I am beating the $1 a month benchmark, ok my list is just shy of 200 (its not been running long at all) but for freebie seekers that's pretty decent start don't you think?

But now, I am dead in the water. I don't know what to send to them! I can't think of any new products to create, freebies and give-away stuff to lead to an upsell and I really don't want to have to make four or five freebies and ebooks a week just to keep making sales. They take time to think up and my camtasia trial is nearly over lol!!

I also don't want to market to them as an affiliate. I am building my list based in the position as an 'advisor' I want to build a long-term relationship with the people on my list and really help them while helping myself.

Lastly I refuse to hype. Okay....I do good copy (well average), but I don't hype, none of this $60777.05 a month in 30 seconds by clicking two buttons crap. I want to stay away from that whole bandwagon that I feel is actually ruining IM for so many people that get burnt and then give up.

Anyway...........(sorry I ramble)

I have not mailed my new list for about 3 days now. Which feels crazy, but I just do not have a clue at all what to say! You know, you can just email your list with the subject line "Hi" and the content being "Hi I hope IM is going well for you, catch you on the flip-side!"

I'd copy the Guru's but after signing up to their list you get hit with the hype stick after 1 email (the aweber confirmation). Which I hate and refuse to follow.

I'd love to bat some ideas about with what you send to your lists, how long your pre-set messages are and follow-ups etc. and anyone with the slightest clue about what I should do next I would love to hear from you, I don't want to stall now when I am getting bloody close to making it work haha.

p.s if anyone knows where I can get a high quality really well converting editable squeeze page, that doesn't involve spending too much of the $$$ or is free. I would quite like it if it also doesn't involve me tearing my hair out trying to work out how the bloody hell to do HTML (I will NEVER understand it) drop me a PM.
#list #send
  • Profile picture of the author lovemyth
    What I would recommend is for you is to be on other successful marketers newsletters if you're not already.

    Then look at the kind of information THEY send you. I've learned a lot from doing this. I would literally read and re-read other marketers emails, the way the structure them, the way they keep me reading, and how they call to action.

    If you have a blog, send them a link and encourage them to visit your blog and post a comment. I don't feel it is necessary to constantly give your list free stuff as they may get overloaded..

    Some people will literally copy and paste emails they get from other marketers, they just change a few words around and plug it into their autoresponder.. Some call this swipe files..

    Hope this helps!!


    Gerardo
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  • Profile picture of the author The Beginner's Friend
    Originally Posted by eSubmarine View Post

    I also don't want to market to them as an affiliate. I am building my list based in the position as an 'advisor' I want to build a long-term relationship with the people on my list and really help them while helping myself.
    Hi

    You sound to have got off to a great start, so well done on that front.

    I just wanted to pick up on your comment on the Affiliate marketing as I think you can still stick within your strategy and still promote other's products.

    I think as long as you have purchased and reviewed the content and truly believe it will help your clients, then you are sticking on the "long term relationship" track. If you tell them why you think it will help them you still keep your "advisor" role and your credibility. I suppose just a different way of looking at it.

    If you are adamant that the affiliate route is definitely not one you want to go down, how about getting high quality PLR in a topic related to what you have already produced and amend it to introduce a bit of "you" into the contents.

    Which ever road you go down, hopefully the above will give you some thoughts.

    All the best
    Andy
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    • Profile picture of the author lovemyth
      Originally Posted by The Beginner's Friend View Post

      Hi

      You sound to have got off to a great start, so well done on that front.

      I just wanted to pick up on your comment on the Affiliate marketing as I think you can still stick within your strategy and still promote other's products.

      I think as long as you have purchased and reviewed the content and truly believe it will help your clients, then you are sticking on the "long term relationship" track. If you tell them why you think it will help them you still keep your "advisor" role and your credibility. I suppose just a different way of looking at it.

      If you are adamant that the affiliate route is definitely not one you want to go down, how about getting high quality PLR in a topic related to what you have already produced and amend it to introduce a bit of "you" into the contents.

      Which ever road you go down, hopefully the above will give you some thoughts.

      All the best
      Andy
      Great advice Andy! I may also add this, I am subscribed to newsletters from some of the big names in the industry. They have great product, knowledge, and leadership quality. BUT, they send me links to affiliate products they feel will benefit me. So even if I don't purchase their product, I may buy a product they recommend. One thing to keep in mind is to always provide VALUE, even if it means recommending other products that are not your own, but affiliated with. This is the way the "big hitters" do it!

      Gerardo
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    • Profile picture of the author eSubmarine
      Originally Posted by The Beginner's Friend View Post

      Hi

      You sound to have got off to a great start, so well done on that front.

      I just wanted to pick up on your comment on the Affiliate marketing as I think you can still stick within your strategy and still promote other's products.

      I think as long as you have purchased and reviewed the content and truly believe it will help your clients, then you are sticking on the "long term relationship" track. If you tell them why you think it will help them you still keep your "advisor" role and your credibility. I suppose just a different way of looking at it.

      If you are adamant that the affiliate route is definitely not one you want to go down, how about getting high quality PLR in a topic related to what you have already produced and amend it to introduce a bit of "you" into the contents.

      Which ever road you go down, hopefully the above will give you some thoughts.

      All the best
      Andy
      You actually make a very good point here. I guess my own view is constricting myself somewhat. If I just say NO I WILL NOT DO AFFILIATE thats a huge market I am cutting myself out of. But if I find content, that is useful and of good quality there is no reason I should not premote that to my list.

      It's really about creating that balance between making money myself and giving them content that will help them learn and progress.

      PLR products is also something I am looking at in a look more details. Thanks very much for the input.
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  • Profile picture of the author samuelford
    i would keep the freebie squeeze page open that you already had, and keep marketing it so that you can still keep your list growing.

    Then I would get to work sourcing a product online that is related to the niche that your subscribers signed up for. When you have found a good quality product that you think will genuinely help your subscribers, approach the owner of the product and propose that you do a joint venture (JV) with him. With this JV you offer his product to your subscribers and give him 50% of any commission that you make. this way there is no risk on anybody's part.

    Sam.
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    • Profile picture of the author eSubmarine
      I just found the 'multiquote' button haha

      Originally Posted by samuelford View Post

      i would keep the freebie squeeze page open that you already had, and keep marketing it so that you can still keep your list growing.

      Then I would get to work sourcing a product online that is related to the niche that your subscribers signed up for. When you have found a good quality product that you think will genuinely help your subscribers, approach the owner of the product and propose that you do a joint venture (JV) with him. With this JV you offer his product to your subscribers and give him 50% of any commission that you make. this way there is no risk on anybody's part.

      Sam.
      Yes I am always going to keep marketing the squeeze, I am in the process of setting up a few more to split test and start recording conversions etc. I have enough money now to play around with a bit of PPC which is going to be very handy for getting these tests done quickly. Its quite a steep learning curve but I am def getting to grips with it.

      JV's are definetly a good way forward, not only are you both making money but you are also developing a relationship with other marketers which will help when I want to start ad swapping (I have heard this is a killer method to build bigger lists and really start pulling in that $$$)


      Originally Posted by Jamian View Post

      I know how you feeling and you just want what's the best for your subscribers but if you really want them to be successful you have to cater to them with a good product actually make them grow. So you're not stuck its just time to move on to the next level thats all. And it's time for your subscribers to show you some kind commitment as well.
      Yeah this seems to be generally what others have said. I am really glad I have made this post actually as it has made me realise there are a lot of other ethical marketers out. I have to start progressing and that cannot be done alone. Thanks for your input Jamian.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jamian
    I know how you feeling and you just want what's the best for your subscribers but if you really want them to be successful you have to cater to them with a good product actually make them grow. So you're not stuck its just time to move on to the next level thats all. And it's time for your subscribers to show you some kind commitment as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author dan4321
    I would just keep the squeeze page and wait until you get some more subscribers till you start sending them stuff constantly
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    • Profile picture of the author eSubmarine
      Originally Posted by dan4321 View Post

      I would just keep the squeeze page and wait until you get some more subscribers till you start sending them stuff constantly
      I can understand why you would think this would be a sensible thing to do. But I want to build a relationship with my list from the start. Another point is that when I have created the content its not like its wasted, its on my blog or saved in a file that I can easily use again and again with different lists or in future products if I choose to create them. Thats what I find is the beauty of creating small short freebies with VALUE. That value wont fade and the content can be re-used.
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  • Profile picture of the author thebitbotdotcom
    I email my subscribers a newsletter once a week. Generally, in one of my newsletters you will see an excerpt from my latest post which is usually on a topic covering some how-to like "how to mass unfollow on Twitter using a free PHP script". Sometimes, I will throw in a promotional link to a product for fun or promote it in the post.

    Personally, I have found that anything I try to do or figure out and learn, I share with my subscribers because odds are, many have had the same question. This keeps things fresh and fun. Hopefully, they can tell I am not a spammer, but an SEO blogger who occasionally recommends products.

    I agree with your philosophy about not pitching that "too good to be true crap" that the guru's puke out. That has always been a huge red flag for me and I have never purchased anything from them. Sometimes I wonder if they are even serious, but, apparently, it works on the "sheeple".
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    • Profile picture of the author eSubmarine
      Originally Posted by thebitbotdotcom View Post

      I email my subscribers a newsletter once a week. Generally, in one of my newsletters you will see an excerpt from my latest post which is usually on a topic covering some how-to like "how to mass unfollow on Twitter using a free PHP script". Sometimes, I will throw in a promotional link to a product for fun or promote it in the post.

      Personally, I have found that anything I try to do or figure out and learn, I share with my subscribers because odds are, many have had the same question. This keeps things fresh and fun. Hopefully, they can tell I am not a spammer, but an SEO blogger who occasionally recommends products.

      I agree with your philosophy about not pitching that "too good to be true crap" that the guru's puke out. That has always been a huge red flag for me and I have never purchased anything from them. Sometimes I wonder if they are even serious, but, apparently, it works on the "sheeple".
      "sheeple" haha that cracked me up

      Again a lovely idea, I have hundreds of notes (hand written and on the computer) about little strategies I have been using, this would only take a few minutes each day to put into a short blog post or email that I think my list would gain use from.
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  • Profile picture of the author Russell Turner
    Hi,
    Why not ask your list what sort of questions that they want answers to... maybe a poll or give them a chance to email or leave some comments somewhere.
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    • Profile picture of the author eSubmarine
      Originally Posted by Russell Turner View Post

      Hi,
      Why not ask your list what sort of questions that they want answers to... maybe a poll or give them a chance to email or leave some comments somewhere.
      This is definetly something I am going to try. What a great idea! It's simple, but it goes that one step further from just being a marketer and actually branching out and communicating on a new level with your list. From that I can then work out if affiliates PLR little freebies step-by-step guide mentoring short blog posts or whatever is the kind of information they want.

      You never see that personal touch and I think that will really help to build the relationship that I want with my list and generate comments and feedback on my blog.

      Thanks to everyone for their input with this, I truly appreciate the help.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dr Livingston
    Send them a survey and see what they would like. You may also want to just send some really funny video you found. Treat them like friends.... to a point. Work that relationship and build trust.
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    • Profile picture of the author Matthew Shane Roe
      Originally Posted by Dr Livingston View Post

      Send them a survey and see what they would like. You may also want to just send some really funny video you found. Treat them like friends.... to a point. Work that relationship and build trust.

      You can go to SurveyMonkey: Free online survey software & questionnaire tool and create surveys to send them.

      Another thing, you could always try a "Case Study". On your next project to bring up some money, create a little blog for your subscribers and update them on what you do, why you do it, what effect happened due to this result. At the end of the project show them screenshots so they know you are walking the walk.


      To your success,

      Matthew Roe
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Field-Dodgson
    Hi eSubmarine,

    Take a break, you're doing great - you just need to get a refreshed perspective of where you are at.

    Hey I am new to all this, but from what you say you are doing very well and the model you are following is successful because you are treating people like people. But I think you are carrying the "over deliver principle" a bit far - this is not a criticism, but there is only so much of you to go around!

    I think the newsletter suggestion is a great idea and the associated blog.

    Ways to get two way communication will be great for the health of your business.

    Hope this helps.
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    • Profile picture of the author eSubmarine
      Thanks guys. I decided to implament the newsletter idea and it is going create getting good clickthrough and conversions. Thanks ever so much for the help.
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  • Profile picture of the author peter.max
    Sometimes when you run out of ideas you can use the Stop and Start method of writing. Choose something in your niche and write about what they must stop doing to avoid losing money etc. and what they must start doing to be successful

    An example in making money may be to stop buying every new IM product that comes out and spend all their time experimenting. The start list can include things like start with a clear strategy or business plan and stick to it, or use the 3 bucket investment approach that Anthony Robbins advocates.

    The other method is STAR. This relates to an outcome or result that you achieved.
    S: Situation - I was starting out as a new Internet Entrepreneur with no skills
    T: Tasks - I had to learn IM and the basic technical skills to set up my IM business
    A: Actions - I bought the War Room membership on this forum
    R: Results - I now make a regular $10 000 a month online selling lead generation sites to offline businesses

    Hopefully this will spark some ideas
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  • Profile picture of the author Barry Unruh
    What is the most important thread you read on the Warrior Forum this week?

    Did you agree with it? Did you disagree with it?

    Take the information from the thread, summarize it and then explain your position. It is an easy way to come up with ideas to share with an IM related list.

    I would strongly advise about only choosing threads which you agree with. Choose some you can argue a counterpoint. Then invite your readers to send your their thoughts via a survey. In the same survey, hit them up for ideas of their biggest pain points.

    NOTE: Do not copy the thread, or someone's specific ideas, use it to spur your writing.
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    • Profile picture of the author peter.max
      Originally Posted by Barry Unruh View Post

      What is the most important thread you read on the Warrior Forum this week?

      Did you agree with it? Did you disagree with it?

      Take the information from the thread, summarize it and then explain your position. It is an easy way to come up with ideas to share with an IM related list.

      I would strongly advise about only choosing threads which you agree with. Choose some you can argue a counterpoint. Then invite your readers to send your their thoughts via a survey. In the same survey, hit them up for ideas of their biggest pain points.

      NOTE: Do not copy the thread, or someone's specific ideas, use it to spur your writing.
      Hmmm, never thought of that one. Very good idea. There is just soooo much content on here
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  • Profile picture of the author Caleb Spilchen
    Why don't you send them some free stuff from other marketers (And no, not the plr junk that already fills there hard drive)...

    FInd something new, and send it to them... I found the WAR ROOM to have a pile of PLR Products, or give away rights, to products that aren't junk. Perhaps, give some of that to them..

    And no... Don't give the same plr that everyone's giving.. Chances are, they already have it.

    Caleb
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  • Profile picture of the author good2go4
    You have had so many great ideas offered to you here but I just wanted to pop in and say that given some of the other threads that are on here right now your honest approach and desire to build a relationship with your list is really awesome - you have to remember too that because you are developing some trust with your list that every now and then it doesn't hurt to throw in some personal comments - maybe share a video you have seen on Youtube that seems funny or special in some way. That way your list members will see a "human" side to you as well.

    Best wishes
    Lisa
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  • Profile picture of the author jbsmith
    Great question - this is where many people get stuck.

    I've had a list over 10,000 in 3 different niches, some for over 8-years now and continue to send them weekly messages.

    What are they? A mix of...

    1. An additional tip that will help them with one aspect of what you are teaching - a shortcut, something to remember, a way of tracking their results, a different way to do it, etc... Tips make up probably half of what I send them

    2. Personal experinces or case studies - they could be your own experience implementing what you have written, the experience of a subscriber you have heard from or even someone in the industry that is doing well with a similar approach

    3. Tool review and recommendation and/or training. What tools will your subscriber need to implement the strategies in your ebook? Web hosting? An autoresponder? A blog? Product creation? Payment gateways? etc... You cover one each week with a review, recommendation and ideally some training to help them use the tool quickly and more effectively.

    4. Stories, press releases and expert interviews - throw one of these in each month where you track down someone in the industry and do a telephone interview that you record and release to your list

    5. I like to hold regular teleseminars - these can be heavy on content with small amount of Q&A, 10-15 minutes of pointed content with wider Q&A or just an open call-in session. I've done all three - you can record these and send them out to your list. What is especially good about these is that you will get questions each call that you can then turn into additional products or content.

    Hopefully this gives you some ideas.

    Jeff
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