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List Building - Open rates

by Levi Grey
16 replies
Hi folks,

I'm pretty sure you've heard of this quote - the money is in the list.

However, I've been trying so hard to build up my list, it's currently at the state of around 1000 subscribers. I barely get any sales when I broadcast, almost none. Yes, I have a set of follow-ups that give information first, then promote. Nothing happens.

So, where's the money? Solo ads? Yes, this is another point, I have 1000 subscribers, the highest open rates I've got is about 12%, and that's with 'tricky' subject. I don't think my JV partner who's buying my solo ad, or ad swapper is going to be satisfied with the result.

Are there anyway I can improve this? or, to make something out of my list? and not just keep paying $29 to AWeber for nothing in return :/

Anyone? Please help.

Thanks in advance.
#ads #building #list #open #rate #rates #solo
  • Profile picture of the author Shaun OReilly
    Firstly, make sure that you've chosen a niche that has
    proven buyers. If not, change niche.

    If you've chosen a niche of proven buyers, take a look
    at what your successful competitors are doing. How
    are they making sales and how does it differ from what
    you're doing?

    If you're sending the right offers to a list of qualified
    prospects with the ability to buy - and they're still
    not buying - then look at improving your copywriting
    and relationship building skills using the medium of
    e-mail.

    Dedicated to mutual success,

    Shaun
    Signature

    .

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    • Profile picture of the author Levi Grey
      Originally Posted by Shaun OReilly View Post

      Firstly, make sure that you've chosen a niche that has
      proven buyers. If not, change niche.

      If you've chosen a niche of proven buyers, take a look
      at what your successful competitors are doing. How
      are they making sales and how does it differ from what
      you're doing?

      If you're sending the right offers to a list of qualified
      prospects with the ability to buy - and they're still
      not buying - then look at improving your copywriting
      and relationship building skills using the medium of
      e-mail.

      Dedicated to mutual success,

      Shaun
      Thanks Shaun, I'm pretty sure all my subscribers are highly targeted to my niche - MMO. About 1/4 to 1/3 of them were once buyers. Others are highly targeted who are more likely to be newbies which knows nothing and like to make some money online.

      FYI: I have been following a so called guru's emailing list from this forum, I meant the exact same followups, who had successful with building relationships between subscribers...

      However, for some reason, it's just not working out for me

      Any other suggestions?
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  • Profile picture of the author marimuda
    You need to build a relationship with your list.
    Your list is not all about promoting products,
    You need to deliver personal valuable content regularly.
    Once you got a good relation ship with your list they'll use you as the go to guy.
    If you over promote they just ignore you / unsubscribe.
    Simply ask your list what they are currently looking for, what are their problems?
    provide valuable information, educate them, make them go AAAH i didn't know that, Maybe i need "product X" to improve my current situation, There is where you'll be superman and send them a offer with exactly the kind of product they are looking for.
    Bam you got some sales.

    Treat your List like your 2am friends.
    What is a 2am friend?.
    If you were driving somewhere at 2am and your car suddenly breaks down 1 hour from home.
    Who would you call to get help?.
    Treat your list like you treat those unique peoples.

    I believe you know your list (the demographics).
    Create an imaginary person that fits the targeted audience.
    Then act like you write a personal email to your imaginary friend, Good way to make the email targeted & personalized.

    Hope some of these hints help you,
    Good luck stimulating the emotions of your subscribers!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5230459].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author robnoble
    One thing not many people talk about is the "from" field.

    I don't know about you but I get so many emails I mostly just scan down the from fields looking for marketers I particularly trust and give good info - I might then rescan for subject lines that are relevant to me.

    You should reinforce your identity or brand on the optin page the welcome email and download/thank you pages and in each email thereafter. If the lead magnet you offered was quality and memorable you have more chance they will want to see what else you have to offer.
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    • Profile picture of the author Barefoot Warrior
      Originally Posted by robnoble View Post

      One thing not many people talk about is the "from" field.

      I don't know about you but I get so many emails I mostly just scan down the from fields looking for marketers I particularly trust and give good info - I might then rescan for subject lines that are relevant to me.
      I completely agree with Rob about this. I get inundated with emails every day, keep thinking I should get around to unsuscribing from many of them. I am surprised by how most have a very poor 'From' identity. I think this is a crucial thing to get right, make your name stand out from all the others in some way.

      Give your list real value and they'll not only open your emails, but actually look forward to receiving them. I have perhaps a couple of people sending me emails where I always open them.
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      • Profile picture of the author JimDucharme
        Originally Posted by Barefoot Warrior View Post

        I completely agree with Rob about this. I get inundated with emails every day, keep thinking I should get around to unsuscribing from many of them. I am surprised by how most have a very poor 'From' identity. I think this is a crucial thing to get right, make your name stand out from all the others in some way.

        Give your list real value and they'll not only open your emails, but actually look forward to receiving them. I have perhaps a couple of people sending me emails where I always open them.
        Glad a couple of people mentioned this. Your from field can definitely play a big role in getting that open. While I don't see it as much anymore, I can't believe that I still get the occasional email which has a from field: "Do-Not-Reply@soandso.com" - not a good approach. I definitely agree that the from identity is something you should put some thought into.

        Someone once said that people don't talk to shoes - in other words, your brand should have a persona and a voice which is human. I think the same goes for the from line. You may not want to use a name (in bigger companies people may come and go) but, you might try using something which has personality to it.

        Regards,
        jim
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        • Profile picture of the author petelta
          Originally Posted by JimDucharme View Post

          Glad a couple of people mentioned this. Your from field can definitely play a big role in getting that open. While I don't see it as much anymore, I can't believe that I still get the occasional email which has a from field: "Do-Not-Reply@soandso.com" - not a good approach. I definitely agree that the from identity is something you should put some thought into.

          Someone once said that people don't talk to shoes - in other words, your brand should have a persona and a voice which is human. I think the same goes for the from line. You may not want to use a name (in bigger companies people may come and go) but, you might try using something which has personality to it.

          Regards,
          jim
          I disagree with this From claim to help in list building. Put [VIP LIST] in your from box and watch what happens. You are only training them to open a random email... not to buy from you with this.

          The FROM matters because of what that name has proven the reader. You prove yourself with quality content they want.

          I would bet you aren't giving your audience what they want... that's why you aren't making money.

          You are offering a clickbank product you say... well most of those are complete crap to sell.

          I think I read that you said you are only promoting an offer once a month? Well, that's why you aren't making money too. Start being active with your list and interact with them. Listen to what they say and give it to them.

          Do that and you can promote something once or twice a week.

          You said you got these viewers from buyer's list? does that mean you have sold a product and these buyer's are on your list... or does that mean you bought a list from someone else... or does that mean you did a JV with someone who has sold products and they pushed your offer to their buyers?

          It will make a difference... you either have a list 1000 that includes buyers... or you have a list of 1000 prospects. A couple sales each broadcast for that many prospects isn't bad.

          Travis
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          TEESPRING Student Rakes In Over $116k In Less Than 3 Months
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          • Profile picture of the author JimDucharme
            Originally Posted by petelta View Post

            I disagree with this From claim to help in list building. Put [VIP LIST] in your from box and watch what happens. You are only training them to open a random email... not to buy from you with this.

            The FROM matters because of what that name has proven the reader. You prove yourself with quality content they want.

            I would bet you aren't giving your audience what they want... that's why you aren't making money.

            You are offering a clickbank product you say... well most of those are complete crap to sell.

            I think I read that you said you are only promoting an offer once a month? Well, that's why you aren't making money too. Start being active with your list and interact with them. Listen to what they say and give it to them.

            Do that and you can promote something once or twice a week.

            You said you got these viewers from buyer's list? does that mean you have sold a product and these buyer's are on your list... or does that mean you bought a list from someone else... or does that mean you did a JV with someone who has sold products and they pushed your offer to their buyers?

            It will make a difference... you either have a list 1000 that includes buyers... or you have a list of 1000 prospects. A couple sales each broadcast for that many prospects isn't bad.

            Travis
            Hi Travis,

            Content is king. No argument there. My point was that the from name is an often overlooked component of the whole package, which includes such things as subject lines.

            Regards,
            Jim
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            • Profile picture of the author petelta
              Originally Posted by JimDucharme View Post

              Hi Travis,

              Content is king. No argument there. My point was that the from name is an often overlooked component of the whole package, which includes such things as subject lines.

              Regards,
              Jim
              I agree with you there Jim. I really only quoted your post because it was the closest about the subject lol.

              I am more against the thought of choosing an easy open against branding yourself or your company
              Signature
              TEESPRING Student Rakes In Over $116k In Less Than 3 Months
              Niche Pro Profits - How I raked in OVER $120k in 9 months with authority niche sites...

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              • Profile picture of the author JimDucharme
                Originally Posted by petelta View Post

                I agree with you there Jim. I really only quoted your post because it was the closest about the subject lol.

                I am more against the thought of choosing an easy open against branding yourself or your company
                LOL Yep, I gathered that from the start and I would have done the same! There are no easy answers IMHO. As well, when we offer an opinion and someone challenges it for clarity as you did, we all win.

                Regards,
                jim
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  • Profile picture of the author Damielle
    It would help to know the traffic sources that you've used to build your list. This can determine how responsive your list is for example do you get traffic from forum marketing vs giveaway events vs affiliates.

    You have to build a 'balanced' relationship with your list. Obviously too many sales offers will burn your list out and they won't want to open your mails. However if you send too much free stuff, they will always expect free stuff and be offended when you send a sales promotion.

    Just try to mix things up and offer more high quality content whether it be free or paid offers.

    Good luck
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    • Profile picture of the author oneplusone
      What type of information are you giving out?

      A big mistake many people make, is giving out information which isn't related in any way to what they eventually offer.

      If the free information you're giving out beforehand pre-sells and pre-frames things correctly, then making sales should be effortless by the time you make the offer.

      It happens naturally.

      One of the best explanations I've seen of pre-selling is here ...

      http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...e-selling.html

      ... well worth reading.
      Signature
      'If you hear a voice within you say "you cannot paint," then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.' Vincent Van Gogh.
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  • Profile picture of the author snickbox666
    no no!! you dont have to pay in aweber to do that.. you will just have a full time and make techniques to get sales
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[5232360].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Levi Grey
      Originally Posted by marimuda View Post

      You need to build a relationship with your list.
      Your list is not all about promoting products,
      You need to deliver personal valuable content regularly.
      Once you got a good relation ship with your list they'll use you as the go to guy.
      If you over promote they just ignore you / unsubscribe.
      Simply ask your list what they are currently looking for, what are their problems?
      provide valuable information, educate them, make them go AAAH i didn't know that, Maybe i need "product X" to improve my current situation, There is where you'll be superman and send them a offer with exactly the kind of product they are looking for.
      Bam you got some sales.

      Treat your List like your 2am friends.
      What is a 2am friend?.
      If you were driving somewhere at 2am and your car suddenly breaks down 1 hour from home.
      Who would you call to get help?.
      Treat your list like you treat those unique peoples.

      I believe you know your list (the demographics).
      Create an imaginary person that fits the targeted audience.
      Then act like you write a personal email to your imaginary friend, Good way to make the email targeted & personalized.

      Hope some of these hints help you,
      Good luck stimulating the emotions of your subscribers!
      I do kind of build up the relationship first, such as 4 informational followups in 1 month and following a clickbank MMO offer, maybe one thing I haven'e done that other people are doing is, asking them what they want in the first email...



      Originally Posted by robnoble View Post

      One thing not many people talk about is the "from" field.

      I don't know about you but I get so many emails I mostly just scan down the from fields looking for marketers I particularly trust and give good info - I might then rescan for subject lines that are relevant to me.

      You should reinforce your identity or brand on the optin page the welcome email and download/thank you pages and in each email thereafter. If the lead magnet you offered was quality and memorable you have more chance they will want to see what else you have to offer.
      I've noticed this technique as well from one of the guru's follow ups - he mentioned in the initial followup that all his email subjects in the future will start with [ VIP LIST ] and so it actually got my attention every time I got his email - and just can't help to not to open it. So I have this applied to my followups - which is so usefull.



      Originally Posted by Damielle View Post

      It would help to know the traffic sources that you've used to build your list. This can determine how responsive your list is for example do you get traffic from forum marketing vs giveaway events vs affiliates.

      You have to build a 'balanced' relationship with your list. Obviously too many sales offers will burn your list out and they won't want to open your mails. However if you send too much free stuff, they will always expect free stuff and be offended when you send a sales promotion.

      Just try to mix things up and offer more high quality content whether it be free or paid offers.

      Good luck
      Traffics sources include buyer list, mobile ppc (where they wanted to make money so bad), and normal squeeze pages, and no, I haven't been spamming sales letters. That only happens once a month, other than that, it's all informational emails.



      Originally Posted by oneplusone View Post

      What type of information are you giving out?

      A big mistake many people make, is giving out information which isn't related in any way to what they eventually offer.

      If the free information you're giving out beforehand pre-sells and pre-frames things correctly, then making sales should be effortless by the time you make the offer.

      It happens naturally.

      One of the best explanations I've seen of pre-selling is here ...

      http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...e-selling.html

      ... well worth reading.
      I'm giving out various ways how I made money online, and tips about creating online business, etc.

      But one mistake might be that I never asked what they want, and yet I only know they wanted to money - I guess this is not specific enough.



      Originally Posted by snickbox666 View Post

      no no!! you dont have to pay in aweber to do that.. you will just have a full time and make techniques to get sales
      Yeah, how?
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  • Profile picture of the author Anonymous Affiliate
    Open rates depends greatly on who sends the email, meaning on how highly your subscribers think of you (if at all). What does that mean? that if you want to increase open rates, you gotta deliver the beef.
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  • Profile picture of the author Harlan
    My opt in rates go from a low of 53% to a high of 85% from cold traffic.
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    Harlan D. Kilstein Ed.D.
    Free NLP Communications Course at http://www.nlpcopywriting.com
    http://overnight-copy.com
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