Building An Email Opt-In list
This is a powerful marketing strategy! If I had to stress anything in this course it would be to build an email opt-in list.
Here's why...
People that visit your website do one of two things, they either buy or they leave. Most of the time they leave without buying. That doesn’t mean they didn't like your site, it could simply be that they have unanswered questions, maybe they want to do more shopping, they might not see the benefit, they're not sure they trust your site or they're just not ready to buy.
Even if a visitor that likes your website they may not come back. They can get distracted with all the other competitive websites, but most of the time they just don't remember your site.
Letting those visitors get away because they are not ready to buy or they don't remember your website borders on an irresponsible marketer. You're letting targeted visitors leave never to return. Those are the very people that have to potential to buy.
So how do you get them back? With Email Marketing.
Establishing an email opt-in subscriber list is how all successful internet marketers generate continuous stream-lined income. Email marketing is very powerful, but you must use it properly.
You can't spam your list with 'buy this now' emails or bombard them with annoying ads. That never works. It's about giving your visitors additional information that may interest them and hopefully build a trusting relationship as well.
Start by Creating a subscriber list
Create your own list, never purchase lists, sending email to a purchased list is blatant SPAM, we see it all the time but I urge you not to do it. A much better solution is to create your own list. You'll not only get less spam complaints, you'll be building a more targeted list, these are the people that have the most potential to eventually buy from you.
Of course you'll need to collect email addresses. To do this you'll need a reliable autoresponder service. You could theoretically do this without an autoresponder but the time and energy it would take to keep up with your list isn't worth it.
An autoresponder is easy to set up and it will automate your emails, collect names and email addresses and do all the administration of maintaining your list, there's no experience or background needed on your part. A good autoresponder will guide you through how to use it.
I use and recommend Aweber. They are the industry standard for email marketing and they are also relatively inexpensive at $19.99/month, but I personally use Aweber because it is white-listed by many email clients and boasts a delivery rate of 99%. I know that's just a boast but it been true to form for my business. Here's where you can get a free trial.
Next, to encourage sign-ups, offer your viewers something of value that they would be willing to hand you their email address for. I suggest offering a quality free guide, an ecourse, ebook or create a weekly newsletter. Offer anything that may interest your readers and provide them value. I frequently use SurefireWealth Ebooks. They have a free member's section where you can download ebooks, guides and videos for free and that you can give away, they are perfect as a subscriber incentive.
Next create an opt-in form, your email autoresponder should be able to help you create one. Once ready, place your opt-in form at the very top right hand side of every page of your website. You can go with the lefthand side but for some of my sites, I've experienced better luck on the right, you may want to test that.
When your visitor signs up, your autoresponder will capture their email address and automatically send them an immediate email that you previously set up. This email should thank them for subscribing and include your free guide ebook or whatever it is you offered at sign-up. You'll also want to advise them on what you are about and what you will be delivering to them in future emails.
Create your autoresponder mailings
This is where a good autoresponder makes email marketing a breeze. You can create a series of informational emails and load them onto your email autoresponder service. You have the option for setting dates and times for automatic delivery. Every time an subscriber signs up they get your series of emails at the time intervals you set up. I like it because it happens automatically and it leaves me time to work on other marketing tasks. Set it and forget it.
When creating your emails provide useful information to your readers, you can intersperse those emails with highlights and benefits of the products you promote. Focus on important points like how your product can make life easier, better or more enjoyable. Include compelling subject lines in the email. Also remember email is also about establishing relationships with your readers. Be personal, friendly and let your personality shine through. A subscriber that trusts and understands you is ten times more likely to make a purchase.
At Simple Ways to Profit, you can get access to a list of email marketing success tips put out by Jimmy D. Brown that he normally charges for but I've got them here for you at no charge.
Your email subscribers are like gold and you must treat them as such. Offer opportunity for questions, provide help when needed and never neglect to offer them worthwhile information.
The idea is to create a loyal following, so understand what they need, help them find what they need and be responsive as well as a friend. Otherwise they'll be gone.
Your Partner In
Success,
Elizabeth