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Every online
business today must have an email list to ensure success.
You want a database of prospective and current customers
that you can periodically send emails to to inform them of
the latest promotions and products you're offering.
While time
consuming, building a list actually isn't very difficult,
and you can do it on a shoestring, or even no, budget.
Building a list
requires you to find a way that will entice prospective
customers and customers to opt in to your email list. You
must have the person's permission before you send any
promotional emails to him or her; otherwise, you can be
reported for spam, which is the last thing you want when
you're trying to build a business and a reputation.
Following are some simple steps you can take to build your
list:
Design a squeeze
page.
Essentially, a squeeze page is a page that is designed to
help you capture email addresses. Your squeeze page can and
probably will be the front page of your Web site. Internet
marketing experts recommend having multiple pages to which
your landing page leads. Make sure your squeeze page also
contains worthwhile content of at least 200 to 300 words.
Use an
autoresponder.
In the beginning,
when your list is relatively small, you'll be able to send
out an email to each new list member to confirm his opt-in
to your email list. However, as your list grows, you're
going to need an autoresponder to do it for you. One of the
most popular autoresponders,
to which you can purchase a subscription, is Aweber.
Make Your Opt-In Box Visible. You must have a highly visible opt-in box on your Web site. Rather than tucking the opt-in box at the bottom of the page, make sure it's high on the page where every visitor to your Web site can easily see it and fill out the information, if they choose.
Entice people to
sign up.
Offer potential
subscribers something in exchange for them opting in to your
list. For example, you may offer them a
free report, ebook, or ecourse
if they sign up for your list.
Use your email
signature.
Your email signature line can be a powerful marketing tool
if you take advantage of it. Include a link to your Web site
or directly to the opt-in signup box, so people can easily
sign up for your list.
Ask in various
ways.
Sure, you want to have an opt-in box on your squeeze page,
but that's just the beginning. Invite your visitors to sign
up for your mailing list on your homepage and on other pages
of your Web site, including your guestbook, if you have one.
Ensure privacy.
Promise your list members that you will never spam them or
share their email and other personal information with
others. And, make sure you stick to that promise.
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