There was a time where if someone wanted to do business with you they had to try to get your attention through direct mail, telemarketing or face-to-face.
The problem? Most of the time these marketing methods were completely unsolicited – they were “push,” as marketers pushed information to consumers. As a result, we often refer to these solicitations in a negative way and respond angrily. We use terms like:
- ‘Junk Mail’
- ‘Harassment’
- ‘Snake Oil’
So how is email marketing different?
The major difference between email marketing and the other marketing methods is that people opt-in – or choose – to receive your marketing message. This is golden. It’s like an open-door invitation to share your information and expertise with your customers.
And that, my friend, is something you just can’t pay for.
Convinced it’s time to pay attention to email marketing? Then let’s talk about where to start…
Show Me The Money! How Do I Make Money From My Email List?
We’ve talked a lot about the technical details: choosing what type of email to send, getting your lists set up, the rules and laws, etc. But what about the practical art of making money from your email lists?
I call it an art because once you develop the skill of selling to your list, you’re truly an email marketing artist. When you really understand how to send out an email that gets attention and results, you’ve mastered an art that not everybody will be able to conquer.
Let me make sure there’s no misunderstanding here: You CAN master sending profitable email messages. Quite simply it comes down to making offers that match your subscribers’ interests.
When people first start an email list they are thrilled to have a medium by which they can share information to a large group of people. Most people share freely with no hesitation.
But when it comes to selling, however, they freeze up and shut down. They think… “My list will leave me if I send them too many promotional emails!” or “I’ll get reported as a spammer!’
Wait! We didn’t just go through all the work of setting up your email list only to give all your knowledge and expertise away for free!
I have good news for you:
The best marketers don’t SELL, they simply connect people with what then need when then need it.
Let’s get back to that question of how with the two main ways to sell to your email list:
- The Information Sell – There are going to be many people who come to your email list just for information. They’re just not in the mindset to buy and they’re not ready to buy, yet. It’s your job to show these people that they can trust you 110% percent. You do this by providing high quality information that is useful to them but also not entirely complete. This way they’ll take your information and come back for more (versus taking it, getting everything they could ever wish for, and never coming back again). But here’s the catch: If they want ‘more’ it’s going to cost them. At the point where you’ve given away great value that leads to more value, it’s really not a difficult sell.
The Information Sell can come in many forms, including:
- free ecourses
- free reports
- free webinars or teleseminars
- free tools & templates
If that sounds overwhelming, you might want to check out FreePLRTips.com to get content that’s copy and paste ready for you to send.
- The Straight Sell – There are going to be people on your email list who are ready to buy right away. They are looking for a solution to a specific problem or need and if your product fits the bill they will buy it. Don’t neglect these people by not sending them direct, to the point sales offers. Tell them what you have for sale, what it does and how they can buy it. The people ready to buy it will appreciate you making it easy for them, and the people not ready with either delete or file it away for later.
If you feel unsure of where to start and what to write to your email list, think of your potential customer. What do they need? What problems might they be facing? How can you help? Your best solution to ‘email marketing writer’s block’ is to put yourself in your shoes, use your own creativity and start communicating!
Don’t be afraid of messing up. Do you always say the right thing to the right people in your daily life? Of course not! You flub up. Expect you’ll make a mistake or two, even EMBRACE those mistakes. Wait for them and then when they come be happy since that fear is no longer holding you back.
When it comes right down to it selling to your email list is about communication. The only way to communicate with people is to start talking.
Then ask for a response.
You may not get a written response but your list responds by either unsubscribing, clicking, buying, etc. Pay attention to these actions and bit by bit you’ll get on the same wavelength as those you’re looking to sell to. That’s when you’ll turn from ‘annoying salesperson’ to the business owner who ‘gets our needs and delivers true value’.
Best of success in your email marketing endeavors!
