Building An Email Opt-In list
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 look around more or they might not see the benefit.
But the big problem is that, once they leave your site, they are pretty much gone for good.
Even a visitor that likes your website may not come back or even remember your site.
Letting those visitors get away borders on an irresponsible marketer, sound harsh, but those are the very people that have the potential to buy from you, you don't want to let them get away!
So how do you hang on to your visitors? With an Opt-in Email Subscriber Form
Create your Own Subscriber list
I suggest creating your own opt-in list, never purchase lists. The names your receive on purchased list are not people that asked for email from you specifically, you are sending them email unsolicited, which is defined as SPAM. I don't recommend risking it.
By creating your own list you are ensuring that the people signing up are those people most interested in what you have to offer.
To collect subscriber names and emails 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.
For example, Aweber is an industry standard for email marketing that I've been using for 3 years now. They are relatively inexpensive at $19.99/month, but I personally use Aweber because it is white-listed by most 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. I've used free email autoresponders in the past and it wasn't until I used a quality autoresponder that I realized how many of my emails simply didn't go out.
Getting the Sign-Up
No one is going to hand over their email address to you unless they have a good reason to. That's where offering your viewers something of value comes in.
I recommend creating your own quality free guide, an ecourse, ebook or a weekly newsletter. Offer anything that may interest your readers and provide them useful information they can use.
Next you will need to create an opt-in form that you can display on each page of your website. Your email autoresponder should be able to help you create one. For example, Aweber has several cool opt-in forms that you can create and customize with just a few clicks of your mouse.
Place your opt-in form at the top of your pages, either on the right or left hand side. I've experimented using both sides but have found better luck placing them on the right, but 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 follow-up 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'll have the option for setting dates and times for automatic delivery. Every time a subscriber signs up they get your series of emails at the time intervals you set up. I like this because it happens automatically which 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.
Never 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.
Your email subscribers are like gold so treat them that way. Create a loyal following by offering them quality, useful information, give them the opportunity for questions and provide help when they need it.
Your Partner In
Success,
Elizabeth