The
money is in the list…right? You’ve read all the success stories about people
who’ve built a small fortune with opt-in lists. So you decided to create one of
your own (good decision).
- You set up a squeeze page
with your freebie and your opt-in form and started promoting your list
everywhere possible.
- You grabbed some great
articles from an ezine directory and sent them to your list.
- You found a popular product
at ClickBank, sent out a solo ad and waited for the sales fill up your
inbox.
You
felt the success welling up inside you!
Then
reality strikes like a lightning bolt…
Nothing…Not
one sale!
What
could have gone wrong?
Why
have others succeeded where you have failed?
The
secret to squeezing more profits from your opt-in list is building a
relationship with your subscribers. The following tips will help you establish
friendship and trust with your readers so they’ll listen to what you have to
say and act on your recommendations.
1.
Establish the terms of your relationship. This starts at the squeeze page.
Tell your subscribers what they will get and that they will need to confirm
their subscription to download your report. Assure them that they will not be
bombarded with product promotions. And of course, you will not share their
email address with anyone.
2.
Let your subscribers get to know you. The first contact is critical and
will set the tone for your relationship. Tell your story. Let your subscribers
know who you are, where you live, how you got started online, what you’ve
accomplished and most importantly, how you can help them accomplish their
goals. This bonding period will determine how they react when they see future
email messages from you in their inbox.
3.
Tell your subscribers exactly what to expect from you. Let them know up
front what types of content you’ll be sending them. Tell them how often will
you be sending emails. If you send special articles or reviews on Friday, let
them know. Tell them what to look for in the subject line like the name of your
ezine or an acronym. Make sure they know that you will be recommending products
and services that you personally use to run your business. List all the
benefits of being on your list in first email so they know exactly what to
expect in the future.
4.
Write your messages as if you were writing to a friend. Make your
subscribers feel like you’re writing a personal note, just to them. Use a
subject line that looks personal: Hey Bob, I think you’ll like this… Start your
message with a personal story (make it short), then move on to the main topic
of your email.
5.
Get to know your subscribers. Before you start blasting your list with
offer for the latest, greatest products that everyone else is pitching, get to
know your audience and what THEY want. The easiest way to find out what they
want is to simply ask. Have your subscribers send you their most important
question about a particular topic or make a post on your blog. Surveys are
another great way to find out what people want. Once you know what they are
looking for, it’s easier to provide the content that they want and promote the
products that they need.
6.
Ditch the hype. It’s okay to get excited about a product that you truly
believe in. But make sure you always tell the TRUTH about the products you
promote. Don’t put a frosty coating on everything. Tell it like it is…good or
bad. Your subscribers will love you for it and look forward to every email you
send. People buy from people they trust. So when you do send a promotion,
they’ll be more likely to buy from you.
7.
Be Consistent. You need to contact your list on a regular basis. How often
you send emails depends on the type of business you run. If you sell your own
products, you may want to send a weekly update. If you promote affiliate
products, you may want to send an article or product review every Wednesday to
pre-sell your subscribers and then follow up with a promotion the next day. If
they know when to expect your emails, then they’re more likely to look out for
them on those days.
If
you follow these 7 simple steps, you’re sure to build a long-lasting and
profitable relationship with your list.
Did
you like this article? Please leave a comment below…
———————————————————–
Derrick VanDyke is the author of
“Affiliate Cash Secrets.” If you’d like to get on his mailing list and receive
tips, articles and information about affiliate marketing, visit: http://affiliatecashsecrets.com/thankyou.htm?40013
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