Building a List – FAST
Have you ever heard the expression, “The money is in the list?”
It’s only half true. The truth is the money is in a relationship with a list. People buy from those they know, like, and trust. It’s those factors that make it so important to build a list.
For example, I work with Glenn Livingston quite a bit. He has entered more than 17 markets successfully. In every single one he did his research…so he knew the prospects better than the competition.
But that research was only one element of the success. He then used that insider knowledge to build opt-in email lists loaded with information and point of difference benefits.
The email series is what separated him from any competitor….it had more in depth content based on what they already wanted than available anywhere else.
You’ll notice I follow the same approach in this business. I share quite a big of information here. I also do surveys at times to find out what my readers and customers are looking for. In addition, notice how many ways I give you the ability to subscribe to my list.
- You can subscribe in the box at the top right.
- The first 3 visits to the site you are presented a way to subscribe at the bottom of every post.
- I also have a footer ad appearing to ask you to subscribe.
All three ways to subscribe are for the same list. I also run squeeze pages that ask you to subscribe to this list (so that makes a fourth way).
Can you see what I want a new visitor to do?
Yes, that’s right. I want them to subscribe.
Then I want to follow up by providing information, sharing parts of my personal story, and letting them get to know me. Let me follow those steps of Knowing, liking, and trusting.
I also offer products and services focused on helping you reach your goals. Some offers are for you, while others may not be. No offer is 100% perfect for everyone. I’d love to say it was, but it’s not.
How do I build the list…over the long-term I obviously use search engine optimization and pay-per-click heavily (I generate a lot of visitors now through Google and the other search engines).
Search engine optimization takes a lot of time. And pay-per-click takes money.
What about when you want to build a list FAST – and you want to do it without spending any money?
Simple. You have to figure out how to tap into other people’s traffic sources. Notice I said it was simple, not always easy.
Who already has the traffic and subscribers you need…and how do you set-up a Win-Win-Win deal where the list owner, the customers, and you all win?
Basically you have to figure out WHAT the list owner/site owner wants most – and how to provide it to them.
Here are a FEW ideas of how to do this effectively.
1. Write guest posts for high traffic blogs.
A majority of blogs in any industry will accept guest posts…if the post is exclusive and filled with high quality content.
You provide value (a great article) in exchange for the link back to you…and a chance for their subscribers to get to know you.
Why does this work? Because I’ve yet to meet anyone who publishes TOO MUCH CONTENT. Nobody says, “Wow, we sure have too much content around here. We don’t want anymore.”
They’re always looking for more content. If you can provide high quality content that matches their theme and helps their subscribers, you’ll often find this a way to tap into their traffic.
Why are the majority of guest posts rejected? Because they’re simply promotions for their product or their site. NO ONE wants you promotional piece, but they want your content piece. If you wouldn’t think of sending the article into a magazine on the subject, don’t suggest it to the blogger either.
2. Write content for someone else’s membership site.
This is similar to #1. But instead of writing for a free site, you write specifically for a PAID membership site. Or you provide audios…or videos to the site.
Not as many people will view your content, but the ones who do are PAYING customers. Buyers are worth much more than free subscribers (by a 10 to 1 ratio or even more).
Are you a member of any membership sites? What could you create or already have that you could offer their subscribers for FREE?
Perhaps you sell a related product that fits perfectly in with their theme. You could provide a copy for all their customers.
The same principle applies here as in #1, it has to be GREAT content instead of a promotion for your offer. In fact, it has to be even BETTER CONTENT since it’s part of a paid product.
3. Do list mailing trades.
Trade a mailing with another list owner.
They mail for your list. And you mail for theirs. No money has to be exchanged. You don’t need to be an affiliate.
Simply find other publishers with list sizes comparable to yours…and mail for one another.
Instead of promoting a product, promote the freebie they get for signing up for your list. I have a couple of clients that used this as one of their primary list building methods. They built up a basic list (of a few hundred) and then immediately set to growing their list by finding others to cross-promote. They’re growing their lists by hundreds every week (at zero cost).
4. Setup a squeeze page for your affiliates.
Take a look at the majority of internet gurus. How do they promote their products and build their lists? Affiliates.
What are they doing for a month (or even longer) leading up to their big product launch? They’re promoting “content” and getting their affiliates to send over subscribers.
Build that list using free traffic where you only pay when a customer buys your product/service.
The key here is to create strong momentum coming into the launch…and having a high conversion system to pay your affiliates.
5. Promote a low cost product with 100% commissions.
Have you seen all those offers for $7, $10, $14.95, and $19.95 digital information products?
The purpose of these isn’t the profits you can make. Sure you can make a few hundred dollars (maybe even a couple of thousand with a big list). The real purpose is building a list of BUYERS.
You can also set these up through Paypal so all the money is given to the affiliate. They promote your $10 product…and keep ALL the money. You get the list.
That’s a pretty enticing offer for the affiliate. In addition it’s not uncommon to get a 10% conversion or higher on this type of offer.
If you’re beginner, which one would you feel is easier…writing sales copy for a $10 product or a $100 product?
Would You Like a Complete Step-By-Step System for Building Profitable Lists Fast?
Lee McIntyre built a highly profitable list from scratch starting with no contacts, no products, no JV partners.
Find out how he did it…and how you can follow in his footsteps in the Super List Building System.
He’s one of the few people I feel who really knows how to teach in a simple easy to follow manner (probably because his last job was as a teacher).
Click here now to find out more…
Related Entries:- Quality Website Traffic
- Build Your Blog Email List
- 21 Ways to Add More Subscribers
- 7 JVs You Might Not Have Thought About
- 3 Ways to Build Your Email List
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Hello from Russia!
Can I quote a post “No teme” in your blog with the link to you?
Terry,
What can I say. This is a great article and very informative. I think I should stop promoting my new and older subscribers new offers all the time and re-start to send them great articles and good content.
Thanks,
Tal
I love the idea of having visitors subscribe. I will definitely add something like that to my site!
Terry, this was a great article. Where can i find the sign-up template or code that appears at the footer. Thanks for you help?
http://www.terrydean.org/building-a-list-fast/
Hi John,
I own a license to the Ultimate Footer Ads – which is the ad you see appearing at the bottom of the page. You can read more about it here:
http://www.beatspopups.com
Hi Terry,
Thank you for this post. I have been learning about internet marketing for a little while now. I know how to set up the site, I know how to create a product etc, however list building and page ranking is what I am looking to learn about now.
Thank you for sharing and the Lee McIntyre dvds sound like an excellent buy. As soon as I am ready to focus on learning list building I will buy. Just got to finish 2 courses I have signed up to first!
I have finally learnt to restrain from impulse buying, however I do buy when I am ready to learn each topic.
Thank you for sharing.
Jacinta