How important is a list, your very own personal list, when you are building an online business? Think about this. Are you more likely to open an email that has a sender email address and name that you recognize or a sender email address and name that you do not? If you subscribe to a newsletter and you receive an informative newsletter once a week or every few days, are you more or less likely to open an email from the sender of that newsletter than one from someone you don't know?
That's right-and others online behave much as you do. So if you cultivate a list of your own, sending emails to subscribers who recognize your return email address as one that sends informative useful information, will your emails be opened at a stronger rate than they would if you bought a "safe list" or rented someone else's list? I think the answer should be clear. For more detail go to: www.build-huge-list.com your own list wins hand down. Keep in mind, when you buy a list, it is most probably being sold to many others. So the recipient not only gets your email but 30 others, all from email addresses they don't trust.
So how do you do it? At the very least, you need a web site. It does not have to be anything fancy, just a landing page for interested visitors, where you will put your opt-in script.
You must have an auto responder account. You will use the auto responder account to deliver messages that help you build a relationship with your potential customers. Your emails must be informative and useful in order to keep them getting read. If you provide useful and informative material, people will look forward to your email as often as you send it. If you do not provide useful information, your emails will not get opened.
You must have patience. You will not build a huge list overnight. But as you build your list, you will be building a business. A long-term business, with repeat customers.
One note to the wise: Be sure you use the "double opt-in" feature you will receive with your auto responder. This will ensure that anyone who opts in to your list will have to click through to a confirmation link before they receive any emails from you. This helps protect you from SPAM complaints.
Words of warning to those who really want to buy a "safe list" For more detail go to: www.autoresponders-unlimited.com and simply email your offer to the email addresses on that list. Is it worth a one-time mailing to get your web site suspended for spam activity? Don't do it! Build your own high-quality list and develop a strong long-term relationship with those leads.
Use pop up windows to get peoples? attention. There are several types of pop up windows available to you with varying degrees of effectiveness. Some of the most effective pop ups are called hovering ads. They are difficult to block, and they will get your visitors attention. Unfortunately, some unethical advertisers have given pop ups a bad name. Don't let that stop you from utilizing one, but make sure you don't abuse the technology.
Co-Registration
Co-registration might be the fastest ways to grow your list. By collaborating related but non-competing businesses, you can multiply the speed of your list building process. For example, a dog grooming business might collaborate with a veterinary, sharing each other's databases. Several related but non-competing businesses might develop a newsletter they could make available to their shared list. Everyone would benefit because the content would be great and the workload would be more manageable.
Contests
Getting your visitors involved through a contest can be an effective list builder. The contest details are published throughout your website, but only subscribers are allowed entry. The contest could be for anything that interests your customers. The best contests have brand enhancing value for the company and entertainment value for the website visitor.
Contact Customers
Contact your previous clients and ask them to sign up. It is an often ignore but powerful technique. Explain your customers that you are building a list of satisfied customers to improve your business. People that have bought from you before are already interested in your company. While you contact them to sign up, ask them for feedback about your company.
Membership Site
Create a membership area within your site. In the special area for your subscribers, you can provide additional resources not available to unsubscribed visitors. Your content has to be excellent. Your visitors have to believe they are getting real value when they sign up. Emphasize the value of the membership such as $29.00 value per month. To justify the value, maintain and update your content constantly.
Auto Responders
Use an auto responder solution that works. Apply the right technology to guarantee best results. Aweber is an auto responder service that costs only $20.00 per month. An auto responder service will automate most of the mundane tasks of maintaining your list. A professional auto responder can provide you with statistics to examine the effectiveness of your campaigns. The appropriate auto responder solution must be an integral part of your building strategy.
Spam And Your List
Building and maintaining communication with your list requires e-mail. Take the following steps to avoid being labeled as a spammer:
?Comply with the CAN-SPAM law
?Don't purchase e-mail lists, build your own
?Keep records of subscribe requests
?Avoid spam trigger words such as free, earn $, discount, etc
Double Opt-In
Requiring double opt-in is a great way to avoid being labeled as a spammer. Double opt-in requires your subscriber to opt-in twice. First, they opt-in when they complete the online sign up form. Second, they confirm their subscription through a link that has been e-mailed to them. Double opt-in protects you and your visitors.
Both Ginfogthree & George Meszaros are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.