If you have spent even a short time working online, then you have probably have heard the phrase, “the money is in the list” and it’s true. As much as I’d like to believe there are better ways to make money online (mainly because I am an untraditional thinker), if you want to have the best chance of financial success online, it pretty much comes down to your email list.
One of the biggest regrets I hear from bloggers is that they wish they had started building their list earlier. The reason it’s so valuable is that it is the best vehicle for you to build a strong relationships with your readers.
Not All Lists Are Created Equal
These days, everyone seems to have an email list, so people are getting more and more selective as to which they are signing up for.
The free incentive offers are getting out of control as well and it’s not uncommon to see multiple products being offered or products “valued” at hundreds or thousands of dollars for free to entice potential email subscribers.
I’m sure you have seen people boldly (and flauntingly) proclaiming “join 10,000 others and get my awesome book for free” and that kind of social proof does go a long way. But it won’t for long.
You might be thinking “wow, they have SO many subscribers, they must be doing something really exceptional!”
Having tens or hundreds of thousands of subscribers is the result of usually 2 things.
- They started collecting emails years ago, long before you ever thought to.
- They are actually offering something very valuable and that people truly want. For example, Pat Flynn offers his eBooks The Smart Way, which I have personally read and it is a great resource.
A common mistake that can cost you many subscribers is creating a free offer that you think people want, but in reality, do not.
Be a Great Marketer If Nothing Else
The biggest reason that nobody is subscribing is that you are not offering the reader enough of a reason. The days of the eBook offers are numbered because the market has been flooded with millions of shitty ones all trying to get you to eventually buy some other shitty thing.
And unfortunately, even if you do crate a great freebie, it won’t garner much interest if you don’t market it well.
I’ve heard it said that a great marketer will be far more successful online that a great writer and I’ve seen that proven to be true many times. It’s ALL about marketing. Of course if your content sucks, you won’t last long, but the marketing is what gets the eyeballs there in the first place.
They’re Hooked, Now Keep Them On The Line
Once a reader has chosen to join your list, and you should be grateful that they did, it’s your job, your only job, to keep them there.
The best way to do this is by offering insanely good content via regular emails. We’ve all heard about autoresponders and I think that’s a very important part of the relationship building process, but you need to do more than that.
A LOT more.
You need to connect with your reader. Be personal. Offer them your absolute best content. Treat them like a friend.
Here are a few people who know how to treat their email subscribers like the best of friends and have reaped the rewards in the form of massive business success.
- Ash Ambirge from TheMiddleFingerProject.org
- Danny Iny from FirepoleMarketing.com
- Scott Dinsmore from LiveYourLegend.net
Don’t Be A Salesman
Keep in mind that everyone is building a list with the sole purpose of selling them something in the future. Don’t be that person.
People are tired of being sold. They are sick of seeing “only 6 hours left on my sale” and being inundated with affiliate links at every corner.
Instead, be the person who offers so much free valuable information that when you do occasionally sell something, people will be far more likely to buy.
A perfect example is Danny Iny from Firepole Marketing. A few years ago, he offered to mentor me and we spent an hour or more each week on the phone talking about my business. He offered advice, suggestions, and helped me a tremendous amount. And he did it all for free.
He now runs a 7-figure business.
And if you are a reader or subscriber of his, you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about. He gives and gives. And it’s no coincidence that I am currently enrolled in a $800 course of his now because I knew it would be worth 10X that much.
And I was right.
Care. Don’t Pretend To Care.
So if you are serious about building an online business, make sure that every single person on your list feels like you care and they should feel like that because you actually do care!
People aren’t stupid. They know when you’re full of shit. If you are telling them one thing and doing another, they will learn quickly that you’re not legit.
You MUST actually care about your people. Focus on helping them as best as you possibly can and when it comes time to launch your product or service, they will buy it.
Just like Gary Vaynerchuk’s latest book, Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook, it’s all about give, give, give, and then ask.
So if you’re not giving your readers a reason to subscribe, change that today and blow them away. And if you’re not doing all you can to keep them there, start giving a shit.
You’ll be amazed at what happens.
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