by Ana Hoffman 28 comments

List Building: When I Want Your Opinion, I’ll Ask for It… Asking Now



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This is one of those times...

Sooo… List Building.

No, I am not going to talk about it today. It’s not the time yet.

As a matter of fact, next week won’t be list building week either. :(

You know why?

Because I am lining up some great bloggers who ‘ve been there, ‘ve done that, and they need another week to write down all the wisdom and all the secrets they know about list building.

Meanwhile, I want to talk to you about something very intriguing – to me, anyway: the results of the list building poll we all took about a week ago.

Let’s take a look at it again:

According to the results, I divided my readers into

3 List Building Groups

Group 1. 34% of you, poor unfortunate souls without a list, will be happy to know that we’ll take care of you and teach you anything you ever need to know about list building.

I will also include the 18% that do have an opt-in form, but going nowhere with it, and 4% with unresponsive list.

Group 2. Most of you (36%) do have a list, doing something right here, since it is growing, but really need some advice on how to supercharge it.

Group 3. Amazing webmasters who have not problems with their lists whatsoever, meaning they are growing by leaps and bounds and are very responsive: 6%.

Now that I pointed out the obvious (after all, anyone can see the results  by clicking… well, “View Results”), I am getting to the meat of the post.

What Do YOU Know That We Don’t?

That’s right.

We all have little tricks up out sleeves – even those of you who are not too happy with list building at the moment.

But especially YOU, the elite 6% – we want to know what makes it so easy for you to build a great list!

As you know, I am huge on readers’ participation and this is one of those times you can get your face – or your link, I should say, in front of thousands of my readers by spilling your beans on the topic.

Do it in the comments below.

I will put together a post based on your tips and tricks – of course, only quality ones will be included. The post will be published during my List Building week.

Remember, we are NOT looking for the basics here, like:

  • put an opt-in form
  • give away free stuff
  • use popup form
  • etc

We want the REALLY good stuff!

Marketing Takeaway

List building floor is yours!

Leave us a comment, if you think you’ve got something good to say or don’t if you have nothing to add – just read and learn.

Or yes: discussions are not only allowed, but encouraged. You have a voice!

ana hoffman list building


traffic generation cafe comment below

{ 28 comments }

Gib March 23, 2011 at 9:33 am

I read this post, as all the rest of your posts and instructional tidbits with great enthusiasm. But I still have one question, and *maybe* it’ll be answered in the coming week. That is: At what point can you consider your list working, with regards to number of visitors?

If we just look at % returns, then 4 sign-ups of only 10 visitors is great! But does such a ratio hold true for all levels of visitor numbers? For the folks that are at 6%, did your list work at 10, 50, 100, or 1000 visitors? Did it blossom at at certain number? And should we expect the same list building results with low numbers or patiently wait till we have 250, or 2500 visitors a month?

Or is it all a matter of content, regardless of the numbers?

Looking forward to some hard results finally, Ana. Thanks for bringing the subject forward! :-)

Ana March 24, 2011 at 9:23 pm

Can’t speak for the others who took the poll, but I can tell you what my conversion numbers are (don’t tell anyone :) ), on average they are about 3%.

So you figure how much traffic you need to get say 1000 subscribers.

Robert Dempsey@Internet Marketing Strategies February 26, 2011 at 11:15 pm

I really don’t see why everyone makes such a big deal about this email list thing. I mean, only everyone tells you “the money is in the list” whatever that means. Jeez.

Ok seriously. This isn’t exactly ninja but don’t worry about getting huge numbers. If all you (the general you) want is huge numbers you’re in the wrong game and may as well jump in with all the gurus that don’t give a crap about anyone but themselves and the money they can get from them.

Huge numbers won’t get you want you want – the right people on your list. That’s the secret to the entire thing. That and then delivering value to your most excellent email subscribers on an on-going basis, like for months and months.

Here’s a tip for everyone – plan out your autoresponder sequence ahead of time. I just redid mine on two lists and asked AWeber to reset everyone to 0 so they would get all of the emails. I lost a few people on that one, which is fine. I enjoy it when people self-select. Knowing who your customer isn’t is just as important as knowing who it is.

Ana March 5, 2011 at 7:39 am

I think the lists are important for people who mostly market affiliate/their own products. Not so much if you offer products.

Believe it or not, I never send canned emails, only live broadcasts.

Robert Dempsey@Internet Marketing Strategies March 5, 2011 at 8:44 am

I can argue against that one :) On all of my niche sites regardless of type I have an email list set up. For a pure products company an email list could be purely broadcast messages as you say you use Ana, for instance specials and what not. Still an email list though. I interviewed a pizza shop owner who uses email marketing very effectively.

Ana March 5, 2011 at 10:33 pm

I just read my comment, Robert, and it made no sense to me. :)

Lesson learned: don’t stay up past midnight to work… Which reminds me, I need to go to bed before I put my foot into my mouth again.

Of course, anyone needs a list!

Craig Sowerby February 26, 2011 at 4:12 pm

Ok People and of course Ana,

Here is my little spin on list building. So we will assume you have a free gift, got your squeeze page set up and auto responder filled with a minimum of 5 emails over 2 weeks.

I think you need to get all of these into place as a bare minimum to start with then add more content to your follow up emails. Content as well as offers.

You need to be monetising your traffic through your funnel. So when people sign up they are sent to a OTO or a possible upgrade. Make a confirmation page telling them exactly what they need to do and also offer another free gift just for confirming the email you sent them.

There will be so many people who will not even confirm the email you sent them. But if you offer another valuable product just for confirming their email address then you should get alot more.

Thankyou page should have your free gift but also a paid gift or an affiliate product. We are here to make more money or giving great recommendations so doing these easy things with in your funnel will determine what type of subscriber you have. Buying subscribers are worth so much more to you. Than freebie seekers, so monetising your funnel will determine this.

Hope these few tips help you

Cheers

Craig

Ana March 5, 2011 at 7:27 am

I entirely agree with you point about OTO, Craig – that’s something I haven’t done either.

Shame on me…

Thanks for the feedback though!

Ana March 5, 2011 at 7:34 am

I just went through your “sales funnel”, Craig – nicely set up, although, if you don’t mind some feedback, it wasn’t easy to find the download to the free report and everything looked to “salesy”.

You wouldn’t build any points with me as far as staying on your list because of it.

Just an opinion…

Craig Sowerby March 5, 2011 at 7:44 am

Hi Ana,

Thanks for taking the time to go through my funnel. It’s feedback like this, that will help with serving my subscribers better. The report is at the bottom of the thankyou page.

IYHO How would you have set things up?

Craig

Ana March 5, 2011 at 8:03 am

On your thank you page, I would first somehow highlight that their download is at the bottom. Right not, it’s hard to see it and people might feel swindled seeing all the flashy stuff first (since we scan first, read later – if ever).

You offer 2 “free” bonuses, but to me they are not free at all – they take me to more sales pages and require me to get on 2 more email lists.

Your “free bonus” just made me feel like you are trying to sell me something – you might as well just offer them to buy something inexpensive instead. That’s what I would do.

Hope this helps.

Dan Reed February 26, 2011 at 8:15 am

I have an opt-in form to offer a free 26 part online marketing course, located at the top right section of my blog, so that is basically the first thing anyone sees, although it would probably be better located on the top left, according to Lisa @ The Friendly Blogger, but I really don’t have the option of changing the location in my Theme.
I actually just started this opt in about 1 1/2 months ago and only have a very few on my list.
I expect that my subscribers will get nothing but good, solid information with absolutely no selling on my part, then after the course is completed, they will start to see some “freebie” offers every few days, in a very laid back way to entice them to go to my affiliate links, which all are free to join, although does offer upgrades, but in reality will also generate a percentage of traffic in my traffic exchanges that I use, as well as building my list in downline builders. I also offer a couple of free opt-in Ebooks that will generate downlines as well. Of course, I also offer an RSS feed and quite a few different Social Bookmarking options to share my content, in hopes of generating the traffic necessary to gets eyes on my site and get those much anticipated opt-ins.
Just sharin wit cha….:)

Ana March 1, 2011 at 3:37 pm

If you are up for some advice, Dan, I am up for giving it – always. :)

Your opt-in form is hidden, bland, and doesn’t really tell your reader why they should opt in. Internet marketing course? What kind? How will it benefit me?

Plus, you sound a bit idealistic as far as “serving” your list is concerned.

Don’t be afraid to find balance between free and paid. Your list should know that this is business! If less subscribe because of it, good riddance, because you really want only those who are apt to buy anyway.

I’ll take smaller, but more responsive list anytime over a huge inactive one.

Alex February 26, 2011 at 8:06 am

I’m not sure where I sit actually. I think I am at 8% and missing out on the elite by thaaaaaat much. Typical.

I do however feel that I can share a little pearl of wisdom that took me a long time to figure out, but is so simple.
Having trouble continuing the conversation with your list? Not sure what to offer them in the first place?

Make the offer and the conversation one in the same!

By creating an ecourse or series of lessons that are drip fed over time, you not only provide ongoing conversation and an ability to highly target monetized content at the applicable times, you also have a framework with which to build the real relationship around.

Once the ‘Course’ is in place, forget about that side of things and make a consious effort to broadcast relevant and helpful content on a regular basis
The Trick to this is:
*Never monetize the emails outside of the established course. Unless of course you genuinely have a OTO they can’t refuse. (Really?)
*You apologise for your mistakes.
(the other day I posted, had to renig and then emailed my list to apologise, I received over 50 responses saying that it was nice to see the human side – even though they knew full well that I was techinically writing to {firstname!}. – this proves one thing: To ERR is human, and your list wants to see this from time to time.)
*You get off your high horse.
Most lists seem to focus on the ‘how can I help you?’ but its amazing how empowering you can make your list feel and how mcuh it can strengthen the relationship if you ask for their help every now and again.
(you do it here all the time and I think it is a key element to your success)

Ummm, that’s all I got, and I think its almost a post LOL

OK im going to go so far as to move myself up to 7% now :)
nearly there….

Hope you (and the readers) got some good little tips out of this.
Oh ,and sign up to my list to see first hand how nice and helpful I really am LOL!
http://buildrankprofit.com

Ana March 1, 2011 at 3:31 pm

Not bad at all, Alex, not bad – I didn’t realize you knew a thing or two about list building…

Do you have time to cough up a killer list building how-to post by next week?

I know it’s a lot to ask, but hey, ask and you shall receive, huh?

Alex March 5, 2011 at 6:54 am

Considering I am responding ‘next week’ I suppose an apology is in order.
SOrry Ana, too many things on the table this week and not only is writing a post out of the question, as you can see -having the courtesy to say as much was clearly too much to ask as well ;)

If you still want the post, I am happy to send it over (its kinda half written as is LOL)

keep me posted

Ana March 5, 2011 at 7:22 am

I completely understand, Alex, and would hate to “overflow” your plate.

I will try to use some of the tips you gave here in one of my posts. If at any point you decide your schedule allows it, I’d love to have something from you.

If it’s half-baked, I can always bake the other half! :)

Alex February 26, 2011 at 7:54 am

“Of course, there is a huge problem with personalizations – fake names, which are quite frequent. You don’t want to write an email and call someone “GMCA”.”
Exactly!

Kharim Tomlinson February 25, 2011 at 6:17 pm

Started my list but moving quite slow even though I have pop up domination and subscribers magnet :(

Oh well. I guess over a period of time it will

Ana February 25, 2011 at 7:57 pm

There can be a number of things of course: traffic and content are just the two of them.

We’ll talk more about it though.

Ben Lang February 25, 2011 at 3:15 pm

Started building mine, but it’s moving slowly. Working on a freebie though, so hopefully when that’s finished it’ll start jumping :)

Ana February 25, 2011 at 7:47 pm

Thanks for coming by, Ben

Free stuff: I am not sure it REALLY works. Subscribers got to expect to get something from you and then shortly unsubscribe.

A freebie doesn’t help to build quality and responsiveness, although does help the size. :)

Katie Goode February 25, 2011 at 2:09 pm

I just started to transition my blog in a new direction so I’d really love some juicy info from the 6%! I’ve had an opt in form and was getting some subscribers, but wasn’t doing anything else with it.
Can’t wait!

Ana February 25, 2011 at 7:55 pm

So far the 6% is non-existent, Katie…

Sounds like wishful thinking on their part and nothing to back it up with. :)

No problem though; I’ll have your back if they don’t show up.

Heather Hill February 25, 2011 at 12:22 pm

Hi Ana!
Looking forward to learning all about list building.

I am not in the technical niche so getting people to sign up for my pregnancy newsletter may be a little harder. Many people who are web savvy know that signing up for the list means you’ll get great information and updates. They usually feel they know and trust you, and also trust you won’t sell their name and email address.

I think that for non-tech sites, we should give more information about what is actually included in the newsletter and how often it goes out.

I think people would also be more inclined to sign up if they knew it was safe from spam and that they can un-subscribe easily.

Ana February 25, 2011 at 7:43 pm

You are right, Heather – I belong to the internet marketing niche where just about everyone know what an opt-in form is and what they are getting themselves into. :)

But as far as less “technical” niches is concerned, you really do need to “groom” your visitors before they give up their info, huh?

Good point!

Allie February 25, 2011 at 11:52 am

Crickets!
I’m new and just got my list up 2 weeks ago so, hello? 6%???
I need your expertise!

Ana February 25, 2011 at 7:39 pm

I don’t supposed they want to “reveal” their incredible secrets, Allie… Just as I thought… :)

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