After creating your online home based business your next focus should be building a highly targeted and responsive email list. I’m sure you’ve all probably heard the old Internet marketing adage “the money is in the list”. This axiom still rings true today and maybe even more so than it did ten years ago.
If there’s one thing all of the millionaire gurus online have in common is they all have very large email lists. In this case size does matter because with the push of a button, if you own a sizable list, you can generate thousands of dollars from a single offer.
The best way to build your directory of names and email addresses is to capture your visitor’s contact information when they visit your web page. Here are 5 strategies for persuading these individuals to give you their contact information before leaving your website:
1. People will only part with their contact information if they receive something of value in return. Therefore a very effective tactic would be to offer your guests a freebie related to your particular niche. For example, if your target market is home business opportunities you could give them a free report outlining the top home based business money making ideas online today if they provide their name and email address.
2. Your landing page should be simple in design, straight forward and to the point. It shouldn’t contain any other links other than your opt-in form.
3. Your squeeze page must look professional and be professionally written. Its sole purpose, after all, is to persuade people to leave their contact information so you should treat it as a sales letter while remembering you aren’t trying to sell the person on their first visit. You may turn off your visitors if you indulge in a hard sales approach and no matter what you’re offering as a freebie they may decide to leave your website.
4. Concentrate on high lighting the benefits of your free offer. Remind your potential customers they are receiving more than a free subscription to your newsletter by outlining the benefits your gift can provide and the problems it may be able to solve for them.
If possible include a dollar value for your freebie to illustrate the value they are receiving for nothing. People love to receive something for nothing and if they see a monetary value associated with their gift they are more likely to sign-up.
5. Building a targeted, responsive email list isn’t just about capturing your visitor’s name and email address, it also involves relationship building. Therefore placing a picture of you with your name underneath on your landing page may help start this process.
If people can associate a face with a website or a particular offer they may begin to feel as though they know you. People are more likely to do business with someone they feel they know and trust rather than with a perfect stranger.
An effective list building strategy is a vital component of the overall Internet marketing plan for any home based business or any other venture, for that matter, online today. Once you’ve created a directory of hungry buyers who are interested in your niche you will virtually guarantee the long term success of your enterprise on the web.