Just getting started building your mailing list?
Here are ten tips to help you get off to a great start:
- Do set a
goal. Get a particular target in mind (ex.: “500 subscribers by June 1,
2010”) and keep your eye on that target.
- Don’t make
the goal too small or too big. It should be big enough to stretch your creativity, yet not be so big that it
shocks you into paralysis. Ask your coach or a colleague to help you find your
sweet spot when it comes to setting goals.
- Do track
your results on a regular basis. Your total number of subscribers and rate
of increase from the previous month(s) are key performance indicators.
- Don’t let
unsubs distract or dismay you. And don’t take them personally! If your
mailing list management system automatically sends you a notice every time someone
unsubscribes, turn OFF the notification. Seriously. Turn it off. Stay focused
on growing your list; don’t worry about reducing unsubs.
- Do use a
mailing list management system. The most popular online services are
AWeber, Constant Contact, and iContact. If you want to integrate a shopping
cart with your mailing system, check out 1shoppingcart or WAHMcart .
- Don’t use a
personal email system (like Gmail, Outlook or Outlook Express) to manage your
list. You need to manage a business mailing list, not a personal address
book. It may be tempting to try and save money by using your personal email
system, but in the long run, it’s actually going to save both time and money to get yourself
properly set up on a business system ASAP.
- Do get clear
about who your ideal subscribers are. You’re going to be creating content for
them, so it’s really important that you have a specific audience in mind. You
need to know who they are and be able to describe them so THEY know who they
are, too.
- Don’t
automatically add friends and family to your business list. If they
want to add themselves, fine – but don’t just import your whole personal
address book into your mailing list. For one thing, once they’re on your list, they’re trapped – because they know
YOU’LL know if they unsubscribe! And you really only want qualified prospects
on your list anyway – people who are most likely to want to do business with
you. Your Aunt Susie is probably more likely to buy stuff FOR you than to buy stuff FROM
you.
- Do learn how
to use the basic features of your mailing list system. Even if
you’re going to hire a VA to set it up and/or manage the list for you – you
should know how the thing works! Your list is a critical tool for building your
business; you can’t really use it properly if you’re afraid to even touch it.
- Don’t forget
who you’re talking to. While your list may grow to have hundreds or even
thousands of subscribers, you’re the only one who sees them as a group of
people. Remember to write your emails as if you’re addressing just one person.
Don’t say stuff like “Dear Subscribers” or “Some of you might be interested to
know that…”
