seeking list-building advice

18 replies
Okay, here I go again with some newbie questions. I want to build a list for my site. How do I go about doing it and making it really work?
  • What's the best system to use to build such a list? Cheap would be nice, but free would be great (of course, without compromising effectiveness and quality support service).
  • Should I offer newsletter service to those who would sign up, or something like a free report? What's the best option?
I would love to hear your advice and recommendations. Thanks a lot, folks!
#advice #listbuilding #seeking
  • Profile picture of the author chrisha916
    Here is a free "All About List Building" event going on tomorrow 11/5/2008 at 9am PST. It is being done by Sean Cohen who is the Operations Director of AWeber Inc, one of the leading providers of list management systems.

    xsitepro.com/listbuilding.html



    -chris
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  • Profile picture of the author JackieLee
    You will need a reliable autoresponder. ~ Aweber, and Get Response are both good.

    Then create a short report to offer them in exchange for their email and name.

    Then go to forums in your niche and interact. Mention the free report in your signature and link to your sign up page.

    Once you get a bit of a list there are some other ways you can build your list fast, like ad swapping, but to get started, forum traffic works great.

    If you get a couple subscribes from posting a couple times, post more times and spread them out over different forums and you can pretty much calculate how many posts you need to make to reach your goal signups.

    Good Luck!

    Jackie
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  • Profile picture of the author ECoughlin
    With my first newsletter, I got a really good response by offering an audio download that was a little over 5 minutes long and contained practical info on how to burn fat. It was actually provided to me by one of the affiliate programs I was promoting at the time and it was easy to upload to my site. It got phenomenal results. Just make sure you "password protect" your freebie so that you get a name and email before handing over the goods! :-)

    Eunice
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  • Profile picture of the author James Schramko
    I made a free report and then follow on with training videos. My list has exploded and we are building a great relationship.

    Make sure it is good quality and you are really looking after and protect your clients and they will like that.
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  • Profile picture of the author sparrow
    the key here is exposure and a reason for them to give you something in return

    its pretty simple

    the more people you get in front of the more your list grows

    I got pages out there I do nothing but people find them and signup all the time

    so what is needed is lots of pages that get exposure it is what works for me

    Ed
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    • Profile picture of the author Razorblade
      Great! Thank you for the immensely informative replies.

      What do you, folks, use to capture people's names and emails?

      On second thought, do you think I need opt ins in my niche? It's the first link on my signature.
      Signature

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  • Profile picture of the author richpeck
    I use Aweber - it costs but if you're serious about building an email list, it's best to get all the emails confirmed in their system to prevent having to transfer them later.

    As for getting subscribers - use Aweber's lightbox thingy with a free report. It's converting at at least 20% for me :-p
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    • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
      first - if you want to build a list with that site drop
      the 3rd party billboards for hostgator, etc.. put them
      on a recommendation page if you want.

      2nd - you've got way too many happy smiling people on
      your home page - and they are taking up most of the
      real estate you could be using to persuasively sell
      your services with HEADLINES that speak to the purely
      selfish and lazy nature's of web-site owners who don't
      want to do their own writing. As a rule of thumb
      try to limit it to 2 or fewer happy people pictures above
      fold on any one page - you aren't GoDaddy so don't try
      to imitate their stock-car racing branding strategy.

      3rd. - yeah, you can build an opt-in list but unless you
      like competing on low price you better target business
      with money - which means mostly driving OFFLINE traffic
      to your site or using fax broadcasting or unsolicited email
      inquiries, or phone prospecting to get qualified businesses
      looking at your site and considering your services.

      4th - the carrot. A free report is good. A crackerjack
      monthly newsletter is better.
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      • Profile picture of the author radhika
        First decide on going with an autoresponder service or with your own responder.

        Setup a subscription form.

        Giveaway free report related to your product with links to your web site. (Free reports/free ebooks gets good results than newsletter offer)

        Use double opt-in to get them subscribed.

        .
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        Follow up Autoresponder PRO :: 33% Discount!!
        FREE Upgrades! IMPROVED Email Deliverability!!
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  • Profile picture of the author trafficwave
    Originally Posted by Razorblade View Post

    [LIST]
    • Should I offer newsletter service to those who would sign up, or something like a free report? What's the best option?
    I think that will depend on what you are offering.

    Some of my clients offers a newsletter. One in particular offers information and articles relating to ODD children. He sends a weekly issue to his subscribers. Each issue has a link back to his site where his services and products are offered.

    His content and layout are great and his subscriber list is growing quite nicely.

    Other clients offer free reports with a "How To ..... " angle.

    Personally, I use the "How To Boost Sales With AutoResponders" angle and my subscribers are people that are interested in learning how to use AutoResponders.

    Depending on what you are ultimately selling, you may find that one option works better for you than the other.

    The good news is that you can test both options to see which angle generates more subscribers for you.

    Once you have decided, be sure to add the subscription form to your web site, capture pages, blog(s), etc...
    Signature

    -----------------------------
    Brian Rooney, CEO
    TrafficWave.net Email Marketing AutoResponders
    Email Marketing Blog

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  • Profile picture of the author agoodsaid
    Yeah I totally think it depends on what your selling them in the end -- I mean if it's audio program, you might not particularly want to attract readers, see what I mean?

    Andrea
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  • Profile picture of the author UcheO
    The easiest way is to provide a newsletter or a free product. Make a landing page for it and make it sound enticing. If a visitor is going to give away their email address they are going to want something valuable in return. What of value are you offering?

    Also, make sure what you are giving away relates to the niche you are going to be sending emails about if you choose to give away a product.
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    • Profile picture of the author Razorblade
      Wow! Some solid recommendations here!


      Originally Posted by =richpeck View Post

      I use Aweber - it costs... As for getting subscribers - use Aweber's lightbox thingy...
      How much does this cost? Are there cheaper, but equally effective, alternatives?



      Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye View Post

      ... put them on a recommendation page if you want.
      Sorry for being so naïve, but I'm lost on this. How does a recommendation page exactly look like? Do I have to make such a page? Any reason why I need to do this? I may be asking too much, but I'd like to learn.



      Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye View Post

      ... you've got way too many happy smiling people on
      your home page...
      Lol, thanks for that, Loren! What's your opinion on my homepage now?



      Originally Posted by Loren Woirhaye View Post

      ...yeah, you can build an opt-in list but unless you
      like competing on low price you better target business with money...

      ...A crackerjack monthly newsletter is better.
      If I build an opt-in list, how may I use it in relation to my business of selling a service?
      I don't think it would be nice to use it in selling affiliate products considering that people in my list signed up to use my service, not buy products.

      Right now, I can't think of something that I could write about in a regular newsletter except, perhaps, when we offer rate discounts on special occasions. It's a regular thing with bulk orders, it's not something that's news-worthy, I guess.



      Originally Posted by radhika View Post

      First decide on going with an autoresponder service or with your own responder.

      Setup a subscription form.

      Use double opt-in to get them subscribed.
      What do you mean my "own responder"? And what is a "double opt-in"?



      Originally Posted by UcheO View Post

      The easiest way is to provide a newsletter or a free product. Make a landing page for it and make it sound enticing...
      Is this the page (landing page) they are directed to where they are given the download link?
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      • Profile picture of the author trafficwave
        Originally Posted by Razorblade View Post


        How much does this cost? Are there cheaper, but equally effective, alternatives?




        The effectiveness of the tool, provided that you are working with a reputable company, will come down to how you use it. A lot of folks like Aweber. A lot of folks like GetResponse. And a lot of folks like TrafficWave.net for AutoResponders.




        Originally Posted by Razorblade View Post


        Sorry for being so naïve, but I'm lost on this. How does a recommendation page exactly look like? Do I have to make such a page? Any reason why I need to do this? I may be asking too much, but I'd like to learn.




        There is no set way a page should look. Some key elements are to have a strong headline to capture visitors' attention. Then be sure to list the benefits of what you are offering. Essentially, you are trying to persuade them to give up their name and email address (at a minimum) so that they can receive the information or product you are offering them for free.

        This is how your list gets built.

        The design and layout of your page will depend on what you are offering, who your market is, etc... If you aren't familiar with this aspect, you may want to talk with a designer or check out some of the readily available templates. This forum has a lot of both.




        Originally Posted by Razorblade View Post


        If I build an opt-in list, how may I use it in relation to my business of selling a service?
        I don't think it would be nice to use it in selling affiliate products considering that people in my list signed up to use my service, not buy products.



        "How" you would use it is that you would make sure you are:

        1) Sending them the information they are requesting.
        2) Making sure that is valuable information with good content.
        3) Including your link and invitation to visit your site.

        If your products are related to the service and can enhance their experience, that would be "nice".

        Think back on some of your own experiences. How many times have you ordered something and the company followed up with you later to offer you an add-on or a different product that could enhance your experience with the previous product?

        I'm on a few lists, myself. One list is about the care and feeding of our Mini Schnauzers. They send weekly tips on how to feed, care for, and train Mini's. They also send offers about various products and services that pet owners would be interested in using.

        That's a pretty good example of how to use a list.

        Originally Posted by Razorblade View Post


        Right now, I can't think of something that I could write about in a regular newsletter except, perhaps, when we offer rate discounts on special occasions. It's a regular thing with bulk orders, it's not something that's news-worthy, I guess.
        Originally Posted by Razorblade View Post





        It's a start. If your list is people that have purchased from you, I have no doubt that they would be interested in hearing about upcoming discounts and specials.





        Originally Posted by Razorblade View Post




        What do you mean my "own responder"? And what is a "double opt-in"?





        I think they are referring to getting your own "autoresponder" as mentioned previously with some of the companies listed. Double opt-in refers to the process of having a subscriber confirm their interest in receiving your information. Typically, it works like this:

        1) Visitor fills out a subscription form requesting information or product.
        2) Your autoresponder sends a quick email asking them to confirm their request.
        3) Visitor clicks a confirmation link within that email and the information or product link is sent from the autoresponder.

        It's a good way to make sure that only people that WANT to be on your list are subscribed. It helps protect against someone being subscribed without their consent.



        Originally Posted by Razorblade View Post

        Is this the page (landing page) they are directed to where they are given the download link?
        [/QUOTE]

        You could set it up so that the landing page has the link on it so that they see it after they confirm. Or you could have your autoresponder send the download link to them after they confirm. I've seen it done both ways.

        I prefer to have my autoresponder send the download link to them after they confirm.
        Signature

        -----------------------------
        Brian Rooney, CEO
        TrafficWave.net Email Marketing AutoResponders
        Email Marketing Blog

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  • Profile picture of the author mattgee08
    I would definitely recommend compiling your own FREE report or product and giving it away via an opt-in form. (I personally use Aweber, BTW.)

    This way you are providing something in exchange for someone's name, e-mail address and permission to contact them in the future.

    I can't stress enough that this process works best when it's information or a product of real value.

    Try finding a problem within a given niche and write a report or create a product that provides some sort of solution. I can almost guarantee this will result in sign ups even if it's just out curiosity.
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  • Profile picture of the author ragnartm
    I would recommend using a squeeze page, as well as using a drop in box on your website or blog offering them a special offer to sign up for your newsletter. And I would say offer a newsletter and a free report.
    Signature

    Ragnar.

    Quality over quantity. Hire me to write highly shareable, user focused blog posts or articles.

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  • Profile picture of the author Loren Woirhaye
    You can offer a weekly ezine about how to improve
    your business by publishing content like articles
    on your website - You can just get all your newsletter
    content from EzineArticles.com - there must be 10s
    of 1000s or articles on content marketing - just make
    sure you publish the article, in it's entirety with the
    author's resource box.

    SO - every week it's a new article or two about ways
    to have writing grow your business better. At the
    head and foot of the newsletter you plug your website.

    A newsletter is a long-term thing. It tells subscribers
    that, YES, you are indeed still in business and ready
    to help when they need you. That's it's primary purpose
    in a situation like yours.

    You CAN offer affiliate products, just keep them directly
    relevant to what the newsletter is about. If you try
    to sell FatLossForIdiots to an article marketing newsletter
    you'll look like an idiot yourself - and even though some
    of your subscribers might want to lose weight you'll
    discredit your business by being so non-topical.

    Just my 2 cents. Use your own judgement.
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    • Profile picture of the author naruq
      I would recommend offering a cd, dvd or physical book. This accomplishes 2 things. First it builds your credibility. Secondly, you are able to capture name , e-mail and physical address. Therefore, you are able to followup with different products and services online and offline.
      Signature

      Please do not use affiliate links in signatures

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