by Beverly Johnson

Created on: April 26, 2008   Last Updated: June 22, 2009

List Building Made Easy: Attracting Qualified Subscribers

Building an opt-in email list, without spending any money, isn't very hard. But it does require lots of imagination, time and patience. You have to be willing to work twice as hard, if you're not able to spend the extra money.

Fortunately, there are tons of free ways to build a responsive, high quality list.

Here are a few simple suggestions to help you super-size your opt-in email list.

1. Ask your current website or blog visitors to subscribe to your newsletter. Place a subscription box on every page, preferably near the top of each page.

2. Ask your current email subscribers to refer their friends to your newsletter. If they've enjoyed your newsletter, then chances are, their friends will too. You can do this by placing a "Tell a friend" script on your website. Or, simply asking current email subscribers to forward your email newsletter to a friend.

3. Prepare a free five day e-course available only by subscription to your newsletter. People love free information. Why not take advantage of that. For instance, if your website or blog happens to be about dog care, then your free e-course could be "Five ways to house break your dog, without using pressure tactics."

If you have an online Internet Marketing advice blog, you could write a simple course about "How to double your blog traffic in seven days."

After your five day e-course is over, you'll have the chance to send these new subscribers copies of your weekly newsletter.

4. Put your opt-in information everywhere! Post a link to your subscription or "squeeze page" on forums where advertising is allowed; online guest books and classifieds; blogs, etc.

5. Make sure all out-going correspondence (invoices, catalogs, brochures) are stamped with your subscription information.

6. Write articles. The easiest way to prove yourself an expert in your niche field and attract new subscribers is by becoming a published author. If your article readers like what you have to say, they'll want to hear more.

Write a short 400 word article (in your niche) and get it published at many online article directories. Be sure to include a direct link to your subscription page along with an enticing advertisement for your newsletter in your "About the author" section.

Ultimately, you want an email list packed with receptive, ready-to-buy prospects. You want to be able to send out an email and get sales. That's the point of email marketing. If you lose sight of that goal, then you need to refocus.

Beware offering freebies when getting subscribers as you'll only attract freebie seekers. These people will never buy from you, no matter how many times you send them emails. Instead work toward building a responsive list that actually looks forward to hearing what you have to say.

Treat your current subscribers with respect and care. Never breach their trust. And, don't email until you have something important to say. Ask for feedback from your current subscribers, so that you can publish an online newsletter that meets their needs.

And, lastly, don't be afraid to be yourself. People are tired of meeting and talking with the same old robots online. Show personality in your newsletter and you'll have subscribers eating out of your hand. And that's advice you can take all the way to the bank.

Learn more about this author, Beverly Johnson.
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