Internet Marketing Strategies, Resources, Tips & Advice

Email marketing is a very powerful form of online marketing, there are not many marketers that would deny that because most email marketers find that most of their revenue comes from the relationship they create with their opt-in list.  Create a great relationship and they will not only buy once, they'll come back again and again. 

So where do you start?  First off, let's start with how to capture email leads…       

Notice I said "capturing leads".  Buying an email lead list is not recommended.   These lists can leave you vulnerable to sending email to people that can hurt your business.  With most purchased email safelists you're not sure how reliable the lists are, most of the time the lists are outdated leaving you with names and addresses that are useless or worse yet will accuse you of spamming.  

Capturing your own list isn't hard.  You can capture targeted email leads by providing an opt-in form that allows them to sign-up.  To effectively do this you will want to offer something of value in return, a newsletter, a free e-book, a mini-course, topic tips, etc.   Here are a few options for getting leads:

Write an article.  In the article resource box instead of directing your readers to your home page, direct the reader to your newsletter page or email course page where they can sign up for your opt-in, whatever that might be.  Each time you write an article you'll see more and more sign ups.

Use forums to build your list. Many forums will allow you to add your website address to your signature line. But a few words of advice. Join the forum with intention of helping others.  Simply making an entry that says, "nice post" with your signature and website address is spamming the forum and that's not benefiting your or anyone else. 

Be sincere with comments; go with the attitude of making a useful contribution.   Forums are best used when you can make personal contacts, develop networking and actually show others what you're really all about.  Also be sure to read all forum rules & policies before signing up.  

If you have a website, post a simple web form that requires a viewer to sign up for a free product or service.  This can be your free weekly newsletter or perhaps a free e-book.  Always usedouble-opt in which requires the person opting in to confirm their sign-up by going to their email address and confirming their request.  In order to do this you will need an email autoresponder. Companies like Aweber offer excellent products to help you achieve a smooth running email opt-in campaign.

Once you have an email list, you can notify them of newly added website content, new products, topic information, seminars, contests or whatever it is you want to make an announcement about.  The point is you want to keep people coming back to your site.

Here's an e-book resource for finding free e-books that you can give away.
www.homenotion.com/surefirewealth

Writing Your emails
Sending out an Email to a permission based email list is one of the fastest and easiest ways to promote products but it takes a bit of skill.  My first emails were pretty funny, I had no idea how to market effectively and present my case in a compelling manner.

Let's take a really simple example (and this is really simplified) of how an email promotion might look:

Dear Name,

If you'd like to know how to (insert benefit of product), I have a tip for you.

The other day I stumbled across a product that showed me how to (insert benefit). It's called (insert product name). I did X (add action) with it and I can tell you this — it worked like a champ!

There are a bunch of products on (insert topic). But this one was different for me. Here are some of the things I liked most about it:

1. (insert benefit one)

2. (insert benefit two)

3. (insert benefit three)

4. (insert benefit four)

To discover all the secrets for yourself, go to –

(insert your reseller URL here)

Your name
 

Let's analyze this:

Note the difference between benefits vs. features.  I like to leave the features per se up to the merchant to expand on.  I sometimes put them in my promotions but I like to focus more on the benefits.

For example, let's say I promote a running shoe with added cushioning and arch support and lightweight mesh. The arch support, cushioning and lightweight mesh are the features, the benefits are added comfort, longer running time and lightweight for added energy.

Endorsement letters work because of credibility.  Your viewers and email subscribers feel they know you, so they want to hear what you think about a product.  Did you like it, what didn't you like, etc. People want to hear your personal experience.

It only makes sense that someone would rather hear your opinion than some long drawn out sales letter.

One of the most important things to remember is to point out to your reader what's in it for THEM, not how great it was for YOU.   Talk about your experience with the product but keep the direction focused on your reader, not on yourself.  Also, just saying the product is great and that you liked it is not enough. Be specific about the benefits.

For example, instead of beginning an email with:

"I've just discovered a new product,” instead say “If you are looking for an easy way to do XYZ, then here's something new I just ran across."

Notice the first statement says "I've discovered", the second says "if you are looking for".  See the difference?

Tips on formatting your emails

- Don't hype. People get turned off quickly by hype, plus you'll lose your effectiveness. Exclamation points should only be used to make an outstanding, exceptional point and only use one, not a bunch of them like this!!!!!!!

- Use CAPITAL LETTERS SPARINGLY. USING A LOT OF CAPS LIKE THIS IS A BIT LIKE SHOUTING AND IT'S ALSO HARD TO READ.  Using a few caps goes a long way so use them sparingly.

- Keep your emails to 58 characters per line.  If your line is too long some email readers will put line breaks in the middle of the sentences which makes the email hard to read.

More email marketing tips from Jimmy D. Brown
Build Your Opt-in lists - How to Pull in as Much Profit As Your Wallet Will Hold with Opt-in Lists

Tags:   Email Marketing1 Comment