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To build or not to build a list?

by danielgb123
18 replies
Hey guys,

A friend of mine recently gave me his newletter list as he didn't have any idea on how to use it and manually targeted Facebook - anyway, this newsletter list is about 1700 subscribers and I emailed out a quick information piece yesterday and received just under 500 opens - which I am happy with considering I didn't address their name in the title, nor have they been emailed to before. I've also received some good replies to the email and it appears to have been a good great money making asset and will bring a fair deal of success.

Anyway, after seeing that I can email a list and receive 500 targeted views on that email within 12 hours, I've finally seen the power in emailing. Now, I have one method which I employ a couple of times a month (it is a little on the blackhat side, similar to the movie method). Last time I used this method I recorded just over 6,000 unique visits that day, monetised it with CPAlead and got 500 leads out of that (from 1500 survey clicks).

Now the question is, what would you do? (keep in mind, these people are on the site to watch something free, however they are interested in a niche and could be emailed offers, future website updates, etc).
1) Leave CPALead up, continue making money
2) Sacrifice the CPALead earnings and give the opt-in page a go in hope of getting the people coming to my site to sign up and are given a link to what they visited the site for.
3) Leave CPALead up, once CPALead survey is completed redirect them to the page with the 'info' they're after and also have an opt-in form on that page.

Personally, I think the option of just having an opt-in form would give best conversions overall, however I won't make anything that day although it gives me a strong list. But as much as the big list I obtain from this sounds all well and good, I could end up with 1500 freebie seekers; is it worth taking that risk?

In this situation, what would you do?
#build #list
  • Profile picture of the author jazbo
    Build that list, its a long term strategy.
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    • Profile picture of the author iSoftware
      Originally Posted by Simon Cruz View Post

      List building is ONLY effective when there is an opportunity for a long term relationship between you and your customer.

      If you're trying to build a list in a market where you're offering a "one-stop" solution...it doesn't really make sense to build a list.

      But hey...in the end, it's your call
      That's absolutely not the case. When you have a list you have:
      a) an instant source of REPEATABLE targeted traffic (unlike ppc or other forms of paid traffic where you buy traffic ONCE and only get it ONCE)

      b) a market research tool - anyone in the know KNOWS that the google adwords tool doesn't tell you everything google knows, nor is it current...it's typically agood 6 months behind

      c) a social media tool - one advanced strategy to get some user generated comment is to just email your list about something you post and ask the to comment....many people think that now the google algo is looking at social comments/proof when it comes to ranking

      d) obviously you have a targeted prospect list and all the traditional sources

      I have one site where I have not sold an xx,xxx list anything I simply use the list to drive and extra 10k/mo. in traffic to a site monetized via adsense

      People have to think outside the box when it comes to what a list actually is. Most visitors to a site are unique visitors and they will never come back. But if you can manage to collect the contact info of just a fraction of those visitors (even 10%) you at least have the opportunity to begin a dialogue with many of them even if that dialogue doesn't translate into some deep meaningful relationship...that's the key...

      And we're not even going to go into how you can convert email lists to sms lists and start connecting with those people via mobile marketing in the future....
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  • Profile picture of the author danielgb123
    @Simon Cruz - The thing is, it isn't one off - I apply this method 3-5 times a month which means I can send out a targeted email 3-5 times a month but also provide an email maybe once every two days about a product (probably from clickbank).
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  • Profile picture of the author Dean Jackson
    If you are going to build a list, I would make sure you do it right.

    Make your list very very targeted. If you are in the IM niche, you could have different lists for the many different aspects of it.

    Always give away good quality content and products to gain trust. Don't turn fully desperate and email once or twice a day like many email marketers are doing these days. I think a few emails to soft-hard selling a product per month is fine.

    - Dean
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  • Profile picture of the author danielgb123
    I've decided to go for it, I'll keep you updated on how it turns out - There won't be as many visitors as the 6,000 day to this site, however it should clear 500-1000 visits.

    I've set it up so there is a clear opt-in and they are basically told to signup to get what they're after, which that do get of course.
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    • Profile picture of the author wilsonusman
      Build it man, you're going to have those that tell you it doesn't matter and those who do. Just do it and see if it works for you. If it doesn't than who cares then you'll know it's not for you.
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  • Profile picture of the author Marhelper
    Build a list ... build a business.
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  • Profile picture of the author Manie Amari
    Build a list..... You can't go wrong with a list!


    Kindest


    Manie
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    This will NOT be up for long. Get it now whilst You still can. Btw it's FREE...
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  • Profile picture of the author redfc
    If you're not that into list building, you may want to try create a fan page in fb. If you're expecting the possibility of 1500 freebie seekers, you can build a rapport with them first before going into business.

    Just a wild thought.
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    • Profile picture of the author Manie Amari
      Originally Posted by redfc View Post

      If you're not that into list building, you may want to try create a fan page in fb. If you're expecting the possibility of 1500 freebie seekers, you can build a rapport with them first before going into business.

      Just a wild thought.

      Great idea redfc!

      I think if I could start all over again I would go the Social Media route first before learning how to build a list using squeeze pages & auto-responders.

      The reason is simply because I think Social Media sites like Facebook will be at the for front of internet marketers techniques in the future. Did you know Facebook has hit 500Million users?

      Also these user are sorted by demographics?

      Not to go of topic here but I can't wait to learn Facebook Ads because you can target potential prospects using demographics and messages have rediculously high open rates.



      Kindest


      Manie
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      This will NOT be up for long. Get it now whilst You still can. Btw it's FREE...
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      • Profile picture of the author redfc
        Originally Posted by Manie Amari View Post

        Great idea redfc!

        The reason is simply because I think Social Media sites like Facebook will be at the for front of internet marketers techniques in the future. Did you know Facebook has hit 500Million users?

        Also these user are sorted by demographics?

        Manie
        Yes Manie, I know about that and if facebook is a nation, it would have been the third most populous nation after China and India - I think
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  • Profile picture of the author Lionel Turner
    Here is the way I see it. If a year from now you ask yourself "how can I get more sales?" someone might ask you "have you built a list"? It's little effort with zero down side.
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  • Profile picture of the author MEMA2010
    Yes, you should keep building your list. Here my tips:

    - Build your own lists and collect data at every customer touch-point, both online and offline.
    - Keep the opt-in process quick and simple – only collect the profiling attributes that are most important to your business.
    - Let your subscribers know you won’t sell their information to a third party – post your privacy policy online.
    - Allow visitors to opt-in to your email lists from every page of your web site, not just your home page.
    - Encourage your subscribers to send your emails to their friends using a Forward-to-a-Friend (FTAF) link in all of your messages.
    - Give your subscribers an easy way to opt-out of your email list.
    - Use Facebook, Twitter...
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  • Profile picture of the author Coby
    Wow, your friend must really like you! lol. But you def need to build a list b/c that is an asset that will only grow and will be the backbone of your biz. With a list you have traffic 'on tap' and can send them where you want when you want.

    However, you really need to build a relationship with that list. Don't try to sell them until the 7th to 10th contact. Prior to the 'selling' you should build a rapport with them by telling them about yourself and giving them useful content. This will also keep them opening your emails. Also use the first several rapport building emails to educate them and pre-sell them (softly, no hard sells) so when you do send your offer on the tenth email they will eat it up.

    Hope this helps
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  • Profile picture of the author danielgb123
    Nearing the main traffic surge (between now and 2 hours from now) - I've reached 98 subscribers, 61 double confirming - I think 200+ is within reach.
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  • Profile picture of the author danielgb123
    Well, I ended up with:
    323 subscribers
    208 confirming

    Not bad, I may well end up with 250 people to email
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