If you seriously want to make a living from
Internet, no matter what you intend to market, you simply must develop and cultivate your own mailing list. That list should contain names and addresses of people who have expressed at least a general interest in what you have to offer. In other words, they have 'exercised their option' to join your list, in return for more information, training, free promotional items, etc. They have chosen to 'opt-in' to your list, effectively giving you permission to contact them regularly into future.
Whether you have already started building your list, or are just beginning, here are a few questions that you should answer to yourself. We believe answers you develop will lend focus, and aid you in compiling a much more effective and responsive opt-in mailing list of your own.
1. Who do you want to target?
Your first answer may be 'everyone.' And that may seem reasonable, especially if you intend to market widely used consumer goods like nutritional products, DVDs, gamewares or like. In reality, your target must be much smaller in order to achieve adequate results from your marketing efforts.
Take a look at your product or service. What can you determine about people who will be most likely to need, want, and use it?
Let's say you offer a line of exclusive designer baby accessories. Your target market will primarily surround young mothers (and fathers) in 20-30 year age bracket who enjoy above average incomes. A secondary target would involve financially stable grandparents. Mailing to a list that includes childless married couples, single adults, or people who have no disposable income will be a waste of your time and resources.
2. How will you attract attention?
You must do something or offer something that will cause your target market to take notice. If you want superlative results, then you must make a superlative offer.
Most Internet users come online seeking one thing . . . information. And you may have already heard that a 'free informational report' will draw new subscribers like bees to honey. Not necessarily so!
The information itself must be of a timely nature, and not yesterday's news. It should be thought provoking, useable, and have value in and of itself. To young mothers, a short report titled '10 Ways To Make Your Baby Smarter' would be of immense interest.
3. What is your plan of action?
In other words, what will you DO to spread word about benefits of joining your opt-in list? First you will need to seek out venues frequented by your target market. Next, develop a regimented marketing plan of daily, weekly or monthly action that you will take to make your market aware of what you have to offer.
