I have a list, but uncertain the direction to take

10 replies
Hello all. I have been reading through this forum and I love the knowledge that is given here.

I have a list of over 750 decision maker emails of independent retailers in the Furniture, Appliance and Electronic industry. Basically, these are owners of brick and mortar stores, some having as many as 40 locations. They also have websites built to display virtually all of their products in an e-commerce website.

I have read that I should use this list to send them products, perhaps SEO Marketing strategies however, part of me says to sell the list because I "think" I have a valuable list.

I know the list isn't as big as some have, but having quality emails for decision makers I assume is valuable.

I am looking for some direction as to what you would do with this list?
#business list #direction #list #list building #marketing #retailers #uncertain
  • Profile picture of the author hustlinsmoke
    I'm not trying to bust your bubble but how did you get a list like that. Usually they are sold and usually it is almost impossible to get a response from any of them.
    I bought a 10,000 list many many years ago and should of just flushed the money down the toilet.
    I have bought lists since doing experiments but I have never had luck with buying lists at all. My luck is made in making lists.
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    • Profile picture of the author jogdish
      I built the list.
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  • Profile picture of the author twister85
    yes Hustlin is right, it is very difficult to make money with that type of list if the traffic is not targeted and there are no product seekers. I would suggest to keep that list aside, wait you haven't lost anything!

    You still have the strategies to make an email list so this time make a targeted and responsive list in any niche you like plus have knowledge and then promote them the products as well as building trust at the same time.

    Good luck!
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    • Profile picture of the author jogdish
      I have partners in San Francisco who are in Social Media Marketing and SEO. They want to target these business owners with their services, similar to what Netsertive does.

      I mentioned what i have to some of these types of companies and they are very interested, however, I am holding out.
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  • Profile picture of the author hustlinsmoke
    Then whatever you do, do it quick because decision makers change rapidly and with them email addresses also.
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  • Profile picture of the author hustlinsmoke
    I would think of the psychology aspect of it. You know think and grow rich, how to be a better manager, how to get your employees to follow maybe something in the self help.
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  • Profile picture of the author Big Money
    Haw about offering some type of business evaluation and let them tell you what they may need and if you can't provide then JV with someone who can.
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  • Profile picture of the author KhirRahman
    Survey them what they want in growing their business. Like for example website, mobile websites, traffic, list of customers etc. then you can provide/recommend services suit to their needs. If they want to make a website, provide them with that kind of service, provide a recurring plan, offer related service and charge for any service they require.
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    • Profile picture of the author James Clark
      Okay, I have said this fifty times in the last few months. Your directions will come from the list itself.

      Not the members of this forum.

      If someone opt-in to your list I can guarantee they are stuck on something. That is the natural progress of things in our business. Your success is based on your turning point, how you are able to get UN-stuck.

      So, the answer to your question must come from the list. I don't care how small the list is or how you built it.

      Talk to them not us!
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  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by jogdish View Post

    I built the list.
    How?

    How have you been building your relationship with them so far, and with what contact-frequency?

    Originally Posted by jogdish View Post

    I have a list of over 750 decision maker emails of independent retailers in the Furniture, Appliance and Electronic industry.
    Are they really people who have opted in to your list, knowing who you are and expecting and wanting to hear from you

    Originally Posted by jogdish View Post

    I have read that I should use this list to send them products, perhaps SEO Marketing strategies
    Originally Posted by jogdish View Post

    however, part of me says to sell the list
    Did the subscribers opt in to your list knowing that you might sell their email addresses to someone else?

    If not, do you think the list will be worth anything to a subsquent purchaser?

    Do you think it's worth anything to you, to start with?

    Originally Posted by jogdish View Post

    I am looking for some direction as to what you would do with this list?
    Nobody can possibly answer this without knowing whether it's really your list (and please excuse the observation that your wording above doesn't suggest that to me, at all). This is a marketing forum, and when you use the word "list", people tend to assume, in making suggestions to you, that it's your list in the first place, that the subscribers know you and are expecting to hear from you, that you're building relationships with them, and so on. Is that all so, here?

    Those are the factors that give any list its potential value.

    The time to determine the direction to take is before you build a list, because the intended direction determines how you build the list. If you already have the list, and no direction yet, something's gone wrong. I'm not saying that as if it's some sort of crime - I don't meant it that way at all, but be aware that it's essentially a "recovery operation", at this stage, trying to salvage something from an originally flawed design process. Just being honest with you, here.
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