Next on agenda is an easy way for your prospects to purchase your product. If you don't accept credit cards you are missing impulse sales. If someone is ready to buy, and you make them jump through hoops to purchase, odds are they won't. If you give them time to "cool off" they will most likely look elsewhere.

It is not that difficult to obtain a merchant account. Anyone who is selling a product or a service, who doesn't have one is simply wasting their time. If someone has to send you a check or money order, by time they get around to doing it, their impulse to purchase may very well be gone.

Do you have a personal presence on web? If not, you are losing business. You don't have to give them your life history, but your picture and way to contact you goes a long way.

Do you need a toll free number. I always felt this was important, but have lately changed my thinking. A toll free number will generate a lot "tire kickers" but not too many sales. If someone won't "drop a dime" to find out about your offer, they are most likely not serious. We took out our toll free number and two things happened - number of calls we received went down. But, number of sales we made went up - go figure.

These are just a few of stepping stones needed to reach your goal. While there are many others, if you provide these steps for your prospects, you will most likely meet your goals. If you don't, you will quickly lose heart and wonder why you are not getting any business.

Then stick to it! Many would be entrepreneurs will give up when first efforts seem to produce scant results. This will only leave a larger market share for you. Consistent marketing action and persistent focus will get you what you want.

4. How will you retain subscribers?

What will keep your list members from unsubscribing? What will you consistently offer to keep their attention?

It's important that you develop firm answers to these questions in advance. Lack of a well defined concept in this vein can lead to inconsistencies in your content, and possibly a mass exodus of previously interested prospects.

We do wish to advise against offering a constant flow of 'freebies' in order to retain subscribers. This can critically undermine responsiveness of your list. Your subscribers should know upfront that while you are interested in serving their needs, you are also in business to earn a profit.

5. What will be your mode of delivery?

How do you plan to keep in touch with your list? It goes without saying that we are discussing online communication by email. But there is methodology within that form as well.

You may choose to send your list only updates, new product announcements, and bits of useful information from time to time. Yet even this seemingly informal contact mode should be done on a scheduled basis, and not be left to random action.

You may also choose to formally publish your own newsletter. In this case, make a realistic assessment of how much time you have to devote to publishing, and gear your publishing schedule to surround your own ability to follow through. Few things are more detrimental to effectiveness of your list than haphazard publishing and delivery.

When approached with prior planning and systematic action, your opt-in list can accumulate much quicker than you might expect. With proper care and cultivation, it can literally grow into proverbial money-tree, and yield fruit for your lifetime. _________________________________________________ Dan B. Cauthron - 'anti-guru' - has been involved in direct marketing for more than 30 years. Join his NEWS Letter list for weekly original articles and insights plus a 7-Volume complimentary eMarketing Library. Visit here: http://www.DanBCauthron.com or email this autoresponder for latest issue mailto:subscribe@DanBCauthron.com __________________________________________________ © Copyright 2003 - Dan B. Cauthron All Rights Reserved Worldwide