How and why to build an email list

You've probably heard this common Internet marketing mantra a million times. The money is in the list. List marketing is probably the most powerful way to create a profitable home based business. You can't afford to ignore this powerful approach.

Why it works

In most cases, people need to see a marketing message more than once before they're persuaded to make a purchase. Repeated exposure is usually necessary to inspire action. You can create opportunities for multiple exposure by adding an individual to your list.

People are also more likely to buy from those with whom the feel a trusting connection. List marketing gives you a chance to develop a relationship with the people on your list. That increases your credibility, producing more sales.

How to do it

Internet marketing is a proven winning home based business for women or men when you implement a simple squeeze page. A squeeze pages has only one purpose. It should persuade the reader to become part of your list. Anything else is completely extraneous.

The use of a free gift is an effective way to persuade visitors to join your list. This time-tested strategy can substantially boost your bottom line.

Having a quality inducement won't automatically make your squeeze page a success, though. Building a squeeze page the right way is just as important. We know that specific squeeze page techniques generate optimal results. You should emulate those proven techniques. That means you'll want to follow these three guidelines.

Squeeze page basics

Initially, there should be no outgoing links on your squeeze page. You want people to sign up for your list, not to have them click away to something else.

Second, you'll need to write a short, powerful message. You want people to take advantage of your inducement and to become a subscriber, not to complicate the situation. Don't forget that your squeeze page only has one purpose - to build a list. You should choose every word with that goal in mind.

Third, you will want to approach the sign up process as if it were as important as a big sale - close that deal! Thus, your squeeze page's sign up form needs to include an extremely strong call to action. Clearly communicate the value of subscribing to those reading the page.

Summary

A good inducement and a squeeze page built with these three recommendations will get the job done. That will give you the opportunity to develop an effective relationship with prospects. You'll also have the chance to expose your subscribers to key marketing messages more than once.

You will take your Internet marketing efforts to the next level if you learn how to build an email list. It's not a coincidence that top marketers all rely on their lists. It's true - the money is in the list!

Return to the Home Page of JackFolsgood.com for more Internet Marketing Ideas and Information.

Email List Building Strategies

If you're going to be successful in internet marketing, you need to build a list. This is the most important factor in your long-term success. After it's built, it's yours to use any time you want. Just push a button and print money - literally.

OK, but how?

Here's what you need to build your list:

  • Your Landing Page
  • The Bribe
  • The Thank You Page

Your Opt-in Page - The landing page is the page that has your opt-in form on it. This page is the one that asks them for their email. So, obviously it has to be well designed. It's also got to be free from distractions. You've also got to make a strong "close".

If you fail to make a strong close, you're wasting your efforts. Your call to action tells the visitor what to do. You opt-in rates will take a dramatic nose dive without it. Oddly, if you don't make it clear, people will be confused and end up doing nothing.

If you want to add some extra juice to your opt-in page make it a video squeeze page. You only have a few second to get your visitors attention - video helps! And you can repeat the call to action several times int he video. And after the video, you can make it just say "fill in the form now".

If you don't know how to make video, don't worry. Hiring out-sourced help to do it for you only costs $150 - $250. You can also find ready-made list building tools that give you squeeze page templates.

The Bribe - The second component is the reason they are opting into your list. People won't give you their email for nothing. Most people are very protective of their email address. So you have to give them a good reason to do it.

The only way to make this work is to provide real value. Then it becomes something people want to get from you. And can benefit from. For example:

  • An eBook
  • Software
  • Training videos
  • An email training series

You've got to create some great content. Something that's useful and helpful to your visitors. It goes without saying it must be free. Bottom line is it's got to be worth more to them than their email address.

Once again, don't worry if you don't know how to create the freebie. Here again, you can hire freelancers to create this for you. You just pick the topic and they create the training. A 5-part email series is a good freebie. And you can get emails ghost written for about $20 - $25 each. So, a great premium will cost you around $100 - $150.

Or again, you can find complete list building packages for sale online that include an email series. Two critical aspects of using a follow up series. The first thing is that it delivers value to your subscribers. And second, it needs to make you money. The easiest way to do this is to market affiliate products in the emails. This is such a simple solution because you don't have to create the product. And you can earn some commissions immediately from your emails.

The Opt-in Success Page - The last bit is the thank you page. After subscribing to your list, your visitor is redirected to this page. A great thing to do here is provide some immediate value. Then they feel good about giving you their email address. It also sets the foundation for your relationship with them. Then they're more receptive when you email them.

You can use a "done for you" email marketing system. You can also put the whole thing together on your own. And do your own writing for this content. Or pay a freelancer to write the content for you.

Summary

It makes no difference whether you build your opt-in, bribe and thank you page. Or hire someone else to do it for you. Or if you get a ready-done package. The key is to start building your list. Because as soon as you've got your own list . . . You're free to make money at the push of a button.

Return to the Jack Folsgood.com home page.

s2Member®