Your “list” is your database of people you can contact with your marketing messages and communications. Email marketing is the most common form of permission-based marketing, which means you must have permission to add people to your email marketing list, and permission to email them information. Email addresses should be obtained only by legitimate means like through opt-in and subscribe boxes on your website, or by specific request. This is why online marketing lists are often called opt-in lists.
It is difficult to talk about email marketing and not talk about list building. In fact, many experts make it seem as if building a big list is the only thing Internet entrepreneurs need to worry about. But when it comes to your list, does size really matter?
Yes and no. At several of the conferences I have attended, experts say that the tipping point for a truly successful ezine is 1,000 subscribers. But I am here to tell you that HUGE results can come from small lists, as long as your readers are engaged and you are actively working to build long-lasting relationships.
Tips for Building Your Email Marketing Opt-in List
Give Them Something Free! We live in the holy land of the “free gift with purchase.” This sales technique repeatedly draw hundreds shoppers to retail establishments daily and it is just as effective when used online. While retail stores provide a gift in exchange for a sale, online marketers provide a free gift in exchange for an email address.
In Internet marketing, giving away something that is relevant and valuable to your prospects and customers not only helps you build your list, but it gives people a sample of the caliber of products and services you and your company offer and a feel for what it would be like doing business with you.
Here are some ideas of the type of items you could give away:
- Special Reports
- A teleseminar or teleclass
- Audio Recordings
- E-books
- A Coaching Session
- Monthly Newsletter
- Product Reviews
- Prizes
- Re-brandable Reports
- Physical Products
- Coupons and Discounts
- Trial Memberships
- Tips, Tricks and Strategies
- Checklists
- And more!
Are you interested in learning more strategic list building tips? Check out the email marketing blog posts listed below for ten more marketing savvy list building tips.
Top Ten Email Marketing List Building Tips – Part 1.
Top Ten Email Marketing List Building Tips – Part 2.
About Jennifer Bourn
Do You Know When it’s Time to Make A Change?
Anatomy Of An Opt-In: 8 Parts Of A Successful Website Opt-In Box
What Does Permission-Based Email Marketing Mean?
Worst Email Marketing Tactic I Have Seen In a While
4 Things You Must Know When Creating Your Irresistible Free Offer
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