Why Is Building A List So Darn Hard?
Listen.. I’m pretty sure you’re going to relate to this…
I’m always reading emails from the “guru’s” about how it’s imperative you start bulding a list. I don’t know about you, but these guys who have thousands on their lists obviously take the tact that it’s easy. Yeah.. well I say (expletive).
I’ve reads just about everything you can possibly imagine about building a list, and I keep coming back to one thing. It’s a whole different ballgame today as opposed to 4-5 years back.
Back then (which wasn’t that long ago) emails were a novelty. We would actually look forward to getting emails. Now when we get a full inbox I’m sure we all put out a collective groan.
I was overwhelmed with so many emails to read I just had to cull my lists I was subscribed to.
And if I’m doing it then so must plenty of others. Reading emails takes up so much freakin’ time it really does keep you off track and off focus on what you should be doing - which is building your business.
The big gurus shoot each other an email when they are about to do a product launch, and presto! their launch hits thousands (pretty evident by the number of cut/paste emails I get from various lists).
We all know the benefit of a list, but with information overload, emails flying thick and fast to our in box (and we just ain’t got got the time to read every last word), list building has become a nightmare.
Quite frankly I stay away from lists now like they have the plague. If I need to keep abreast of what’s happening I just read IMNewswatch.
IMNewswatch gives me the heads up on what’s going on in IM circles and saves a hell of a lot of time reading emails.
Now… back to building a list.
Personally, I feel that emails will become a waste of a marketers time. There will come a day when we are all so over reading and replying to emails they will have lost their pull.
Any wonder why RSS has become favourable?
So what do I prefer?
1. Post good quality content to a blog (every day of you can) and offer an incentive (if you must) to get a sign up. If your site’s Alexa Rank is hidden in the millions of others then you are pushing the proverbial uphill with a pointed stick. Better to focus on becoming an authority through offering good advice.
2. Utilise social bookmarking sites and submit your site.
3. Post in forums. And I’m not talking about IM forums. I’m talking about posting in forums in which you are likely to get customers. For instance; if you have a site which is for handcrafted jewelry components go visit forums about jewelry making. Atleast you have potential customers!
4. Use word of mouth. Tell your friends. When you send emails send it with an email signature for your site and get their attention. Be innovative with what you put into your signature tag.
5. If you sell a product JV with someone who is an eBay Powerseller.
For instance, if you have put together an information product to do with travel, JV with eBay Powerseller who sells luggage. Usually they will have a sizeable list to market to. They just sign on as an affiliate and promote to their list.
If you have any other ideas why not share them by posting a comment. We all need as much support as we can in building our business!
