The most successful internet marketers know the extreme importance of building email lists. In fact, one of the keys to growing a successful online business is to build an email list of potential customers in your target market.
There are numerous ways you can build your email list, including:
Identify your target market. Who wants or needs your product or service? Identifying your target market is your first step in building your email list.
Quality over quantity. You can have a list of thousands of subscribers, but if those subscribers aren’t interested in your niche, you’re simply wasting your time. Make sure you target those people who are interested in purchasing your product or service.
Use an autoresponder. It is absolutely essential that your list members verify that they actually signed up for your list. The easiest way to verify opt-ins is to make use of an autoresponder, like Aweber. Each time someone subscribes to your list, the autoresponder will automatically send an email to the subscriber asking him to confirm that he indeed wants to be on the list.
Don’t spam. The last thing you want is a reputation as a spammer, so do not send unsolicited emails to those people who have not given you permission to do so. In addition to spam being illegal in the United States, most people aren’t very receptive to receiving unwanted emails.
Design a squeeze page. A squeeze page is simply a Web page that is designed to capture the names and email addresses of those who want to subscribe to your list. Some internet marketing experts recommend designing a squeeze page that has several pages. Each of those pages should contain useful information for your target market.
Make your opt-in box highly visible. Visitors to your squeeze page must be able to easily see your opt-in box, so ensure that it’s in a highly visible spot, such as the upper portion of your homepage.
Offer subscribers something for free. One of the best ways to encourage people to subscribe to your list [http://www.rockettheprofit.com/email_marketing2.htm] is to offer them something – such as an ebook or a report – for free.
Find different ways to drive traffic to your squeeze page. You must try different ways of driving traffic to your squeeze page, so prospective customers will sign up for your list. Include links to your squeeze page in your email signature, in your signature at any forums you frequent, and on your blog. You may also want to use Google AdWords and article marketing as ways to drive traffic to your squeeze page.
Treat your list well. People sign up for your list because they’re interested in the information you have to offer, so treat them well by consistently providing them with valuable content. Additionally, avoid sending too many sales pitches, or you’ll likely alienate some of your subscribers and cause them to unsubscribe.
Offer valuable content. If you send regular mailings to your list, ensure that they are filled with information that your subscribers want. To convert your list members into paying customers, always offer them something of value while limiting your sales pitches to only products from which you think they can benefit.
