By Toni R. Harris
Congratulations! You’ve started your business, published your website, and await a flood of interested parties bent on giving you cash and engagements, clicking dollars into your pocket.
Disillusioned because the Web doesn’t equate to instant wealth, you look for ways to reach those that need you. You realize the need for an opt-in list for email marketing. Having found a few experts, you read of thousands being made in minutes and so, happily follow their easy steps to overflowing pockets.
Crossing every T, dotting the Is, you patiently wait and once again fail to find pockets packed with cash. Your results are few and expenses abound. For those who are starting, here are three quick and easy ways to build a profitable opt-in list:
1) Get your customers to trust you and your products. Just launching your opt-in list would not make you an expert and a believable seller. Write about the topic you know and have started and used for your site. Gain knowledge about your customers, their wants, their needs, and target their wants and needs.
Join forums from other sites as well. Provide expert advice and recommendations. When people trust you, you will be able to start your own opt-in list. You can build a base as well with other forum users. You can ask them to join your list. Put up a link to your site so that they may be able to see what you’re business is all about.
The certain truth is, the money will only come in when the consumers and subscribers believe and trust in you. They want a product or service that could be a good exchange for their money. People are not going to buy something out of your recommendation if they don’t know you.
2) Find a product or service that people want and need. Although research may not be your forte, if you provide a service and product that you have researched and learned about well, you can carry it forward. Invest your time, effort, and money in a product that you could sell as well as what the buyers or subscribers of your opt-in list can use.
While it is true that it is best to sell something that you have interest in, there are not many people who have the same interest as you if you decide to sell something that is not entirely popular or profitable. Do your research well and you would see the profits come in. Also, provide your subscribers with promotional material that they could actually use and spread around.
3) Make friends with other opt-in list users. This is basically beneficial especially if it is someone who has already launched a successful opt-in list. These are people that have the experience in this venture and experience is still the best teacher. While there are many articles available for you in the Internet to use, there is nothing like getting a first hand account from someone you trust.
Experienced opt-in list users will be able to tell you what to do and what not to do because they have gone through it. While different situations occur for different people, the general concept can still be very helpful. There are many things to avoid and these people will be able to tell you which ones.
Building a profitable opt-in list doesn’t just happen overnight. Opt-in lists are built from scratch. As your list grows, you should also maintain the quality of your list. Keep it organized and manageable. Get or hire help if needed. Just make sure that your subscribers are happy and satisfied and they will be willing to buy from you.
Now you can understand why there’s a growing interest in opt-in lists. When people start looking for more information about what you sell, you’ll be in a position to meet their needs.
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Toni Harris, also known as the Turnaround Queen®, is a Business Coach, Author, and an Authorized Local Expert with Constant Contact. You may contact Toni via email her at toni@toniharrisspeaks.com and visit her website at www.toni-harris.com.
