Importance of building your own opt-in list
Importance of building your own opt-in list
Copyright © 2006, Colin Meunier
http://www.WhoisColinMeunier.com
Building your own opt-in list can be the most important thing that you can ever do when building your online business. The fact is that if you are building an online business promoting online businesses & Affiliate programs and you are not building your own opt-in list, you are almost wasting your time.
You see the main objective with your online business is to build a customer and client list. The main objective with your website is not to sell your visitor, but to capture their email address. Well actually your website has two main objectives, pre-selling your visitor on your products and services as well capture their email address. Today I am only talking about capturing your visitors email address and building your opt-in list.
Ok, you may be asking right now.
Colin what exactly is an opt-in list and why would people want to give me their email address?
Well the answer is, your opt-in list is a list of people that have given you their email address in return for something of value.
Ok, now you may be asking, but Colin what can I offer of any value?
Well the answer is that this can be a mini email course, an ezine, a free report, or even just a mailing list of people who want to know when you update your website.
So now you may be asking, but I am not guru and I have not made millions on the Internet what can I teach or tell people that will make them want to learn from me?
Ok now, lets just hold on a minute here. The answer to this question is actually more simple than you think.
You see you are already both teacher and student. You are always learning from someone, just as there is always someone learning from you. Think back to grade school when you had grades 1 -12. The reason for 12 different grades is because some students are a little more advanced or ahead of you and at the same time you were a little more advanced or ahead of others. Well this is true as well with Internet marketing or promoting an online business and Affiliate Programs.
So the point is that there is always someone that can learn from what you know.
Ok, so with all that said, lets get started building your opt-in list.
Here are a few key features to consider before building your list:
1. Content- This almost goes without saying, but is very much worth commenting on. The best thing to do before you start building a subscriber base is to create some content articles. You want to have some quality information of good value ready to send your subscribers when they subscribe or opt-in to your list.
2. Personalize your emails- This is actually a very important element to your emails that you send out to your subscribers. You want your subscribers to feel as though you are taking to them and not a group of people. This is done by including their name in the emails you send out to them.
3. Brand your name- This is simply sending emails to your list from YOU, not some company name. Think of all the emails you get right now in your inbox. Which of those emails look more friendly? Are they the emails sent to you by some company such as ABC Marketing Firm, or by a friendly name like Colin Meunier? -- -- Well I tell you I much rather get emails from the author and not a company name.
Ok, so now that you have your content for articles lets get you some subscribers.
Tip#1.
First step is to put an opt-in box on your website's front page. Then make sure that people can subscribe to your opt-in list from every page on your site. This opt-in box will capture your visitor's email address and put it in your autoresponder.
If you have not received my article on the "Importance of a good autoresponder" visit http://www.enterfreedom.com/responders.html to learn more about autoresponders.
Tip#2.
Use pop ups! Yeah I hear you. You may be saying right now. Colin are you suggesting I use those most annoying pop ups? --- Yes. But No,
Well I am actually suggesting you use pop unders, and set them to only appear to the visitor only once per visit.
You see the reason why so many people use pop unders and pop ups on the Internet is because they Do work. I receive a good number of my subscribers from my pop under.
Another type of pop up I use that is bringing in a good number of quality subscribers for me is the Lightning Pop Up. This is the Pop Up that come up asks you to click OK or Cancel. When a person subscribes to my ezine using this Pop Up they are subscribing with their default email address, making sure that their email is a quality address.
You can create both Pop Us, the Pop Under & the Lightning Pop Up, with Brian Garvins Lightning Pop Up generator. You may find it here: http://hop.clickbank.net/hop.cgi?mindshare/lightningp
Tip#3.
You can submit your opt-in list to ezine directories or databases. Here is a small list of directories to start with. You can also do a search on google for more.
http://www.list-city.com/ http://www.e-zinez.com/cgi-bin/hyperseek/hyperseek.cgi http://www.published.com/index.html http://www.homeincome.com/search-it/ezine/index.html http://ezine-universe.com/ http://www.disobey.com/low/addere.shtml http://inkpot.com/submit/ http://catalog.com/vivian/intsubform2.html http://paml.net/submissions.html http://www.ezinestoday.com/freesubs/ http://www.diysearch.com/ http://ezineadsource.com/submit.htm http://www.ezinesearch.com/search-it/ezine/ezine-add.html http://www.ezinesplus.com/ezines/cgi-bin/add.cgi http://www.published.com/add/ http://www.infojump.com/publishers/pub/submit/ http://www.site-city.com/members/e-zine-master/ http://listtool.com/cgi/listTool/addList.cgi http://www.newsletteraccess.com/database/reg.html
Tip#4.
Use free giveaways to get people to subscribe to your opt-in list. You are going to want to give something of real value away, not just some cheap giveaway. The more valuable the free gift you have to giveaway the more subscribers you will get.
For example of what I am talking about have a look at this page giving away free eBooks for subscribing to my ezine "EnterFreedom Marketing Tips" http://www.enterfreedom.com
Tip#5.
Continue to seek information and tips on how to keep building your opt in list. Learn from those that are very successful and have great tips to share when it comes to building large optin lists. One great place to keep learning about building your optin list is at 'List & Traffic' by Jimmy Brown.
Go here: http://listandtraffic2.com/go.php?2132
and learn more about List & Traffic memberships.
Happy Prospecting!
Resource Box:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Colin Meunier publisher of EnterFreedom Marketing Tips Ezine !
Helping Networkers Create Multiple Streams of Residual Income
By using Internet Marketing Promotions. Get Your F.REE Subscription
Today & Receive Special Bonuses. Visit: http://www.EnterFreedom.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you feel inclined to re-publish this article, you may do so, providing you republish the article in it's entirety and the resource box is included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. Send to info@enterfreedom.com
If you do not have a network marketing program, or business that you are working with, or if you are interested in the program that I am working with right now then visit my site and read my story and see how I may be able to help you.
I also welcome any comments or questions. Please feel free to email or call me.
Copyright © 2006, Colin Meunier
http://www.WhoisColinMeunier.com
Building your own opt-in list can be the most important thing that you can ever do when building your online business. The fact is that if you are building an online business promoting online businesses & Affiliate programs and you are not building your own opt-in list, you are almost wasting your time.
You see the main objective with your online business is to build a customer and client list. The main objective with your website is not to sell your visitor, but to capture their email address. Well actually your website has two main objectives, pre-selling your visitor on your products and services as well capture their email address. Today I am only talking about capturing your visitors email address and building your opt-in list.
Ok, you may be asking right now.
Colin what exactly is an opt-in list and why would people want to give me their email address?
Well the answer is, your opt-in list is a list of people that have given you their email address in return for something of value.
Ok, now you may be asking, but Colin what can I offer of any value?
Well the answer is that this can be a mini email course, an ezine, a free report, or even just a mailing list of people who want to know when you update your website.
So now you may be asking, but I am not guru and I have not made millions on the Internet what can I teach or tell people that will make them want to learn from me?
Ok now, lets just hold on a minute here. The answer to this question is actually more simple than you think.
You see you are already both teacher and student. You are always learning from someone, just as there is always someone learning from you. Think back to grade school when you had grades 1 -12. The reason for 12 different grades is because some students are a little more advanced or ahead of you and at the same time you were a little more advanced or ahead of others. Well this is true as well with Internet marketing or promoting an online business and Affiliate Programs.
So the point is that there is always someone that can learn from what you know.
Ok, so with all that said, lets get started building your opt-in list.
Here are a few key features to consider before building your list:
1. Content- This almost goes without saying, but is very much worth commenting on. The best thing to do before you start building a subscriber base is to create some content articles. You want to have some quality information of good value ready to send your subscribers when they subscribe or opt-in to your list.
2. Personalize your emails- This is actually a very important element to your emails that you send out to your subscribers. You want your subscribers to feel as though you are taking to them and not a group of people. This is done by including their name in the emails you send out to them.
3. Brand your name- This is simply sending emails to your list from YOU, not some company name. Think of all the emails you get right now in your inbox. Which of those emails look more friendly? Are they the emails sent to you by some company such as ABC Marketing Firm, or by a friendly name like Colin Meunier? --
Ok, so now that you have your content for articles lets get you some subscribers.
Tip#1.
First step is to put an opt-in box on your website's front page. Then make sure that people can subscribe to your opt-in list from every page on your site. This opt-in box will capture your visitor's email address and put it in your autoresponder.
If you have not received my article on the "Importance of a good autoresponder" visit http://www.enterfreedom.com/responders.html to learn more about autoresponders.
Tip#2.
Use pop ups! Yeah I hear you. You may be saying right now. Colin are you suggesting I use those most annoying pop ups? --- Yes. But No,
Well I am actually suggesting you use pop unders, and set them to only appear to the visitor only once per visit.
You see the reason why so many people use pop unders and pop ups on the Internet is because they Do work. I receive a good number of my subscribers from my pop under.
Another type of pop up I use that is bringing in a good number of quality subscribers for me is the Lightning Pop Up. This is the Pop Up that come up asks you to click OK or Cancel. When a person subscribes to my ezine using this Pop Up they are subscribing with their default email address, making sure that their email is a quality address.
You can create both Pop Us, the Pop Under & the Lightning Pop Up, with Brian Garvins Lightning Pop Up generator. You may find it here: http://hop.clickbank.net/hop.cgi?mindshare/lightningp
Tip#3.
You can submit your opt-in list to ezine directories or databases. Here is a small list of directories to start with. You can also do a search on google for more.
http://www.list-city.com/ http://www.e-zinez.com/cgi-bin/hyperseek/hyperseek.cgi http://www.published.com/index.html http://www.homeincome.com/search-it/ezine/index.html http://ezine-universe.com/ http://www.disobey.com/low/addere.shtml http://inkpot.com/submit/ http://catalog.com/vivian/intsubform2.html http://paml.net/submissions.html http://www.ezinestoday.com/freesubs/ http://www.diysearch.com/ http://ezineadsource.com/submit.htm http://www.ezinesearch.com/search-it/ezine/ezine-add.html http://www.ezinesplus.com/ezines/cgi-bin/add.cgi http://www.published.com/add/ http://www.infojump.com/publishers/pub/submit/ http://www.site-city.com/members/e-zine-master/ http://listtool.com/cgi/listTool/addList.cgi http://www.newsletteraccess.com/database/reg.html
Tip#4.
Use free giveaways to get people to subscribe to your opt-in list. You are going to want to give something of real value away, not just some cheap giveaway. The more valuable the free gift you have to giveaway the more subscribers you will get.
For example of what I am talking about have a look at this page giving away free eBooks for subscribing to my ezine "EnterFreedom Marketing Tips" http://www.enterfreedom.com
Tip#5.
Continue to seek information and tips on how to keep building your opt in list. Learn from those that are very successful and have great tips to share when it comes to building large optin lists. One great place to keep learning about building your optin list is at 'List & Traffic' by Jimmy Brown.
Go here: http://listandtraffic2.com/go.php?2132
and learn more about List & Traffic memberships.
Happy Prospecting!
Resource Box:
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Colin Meunier publisher of EnterFreedom Marketing Tips Ezine !
Helping Networkers Create Multiple Streams of Residual Income
By using Internet Marketing Promotions. Get Your F.REE Subscription
Today & Receive Special Bonuses. Visit: http://www.EnterFreedom.com
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you feel inclined to re-publish this article, you may do so, providing you republish the article in it's entirety and the resource box is included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated. Send to info@enterfreedom.com
If you do not have a network marketing program, or business that you are working with, or if you are interested in the program that I am working with right now then visit my site and read my story and see how I may be able to help you.
I also welcome any comments or questions. Please feel free to email or call me.
posted by Colin Meunier at 10:20 PM
7 comments
