3 Ways to build closer relationships with your prospects…

Making Money With a Small, Responsive List

 

If you’ve been online for any amount of time, you’ve probably come across the phrase “The money is in the list.” This, of course, refers to the database of names, e-mail addresses, and other information you may collect from customers and prospective customers.

 

All other things being equal, the bigger your list, the more money you will make. That’s great news for marketers and list owners who have thousands, tens-of-thousands, and even hundreds-of-thousands of subscribers.

 

But what if you are just getting started and don’t have a big list? Can you still make money with a small list?

 

The answer to that question is a resounding yes.

 

You see, there is another key factor that determines how much money you can make with a list, other than its size. And that is the responsiveness of the list.

 

Usually, in Internet marketing, responsiveness refers to how many people are opening your e-mails, clicking on your links, and taking action on what you want them to do (subscribing to your newsletter, for example, or making a purchase). The more people who do these things, the more “responsive” your list is.

 

Many things factor into building a responsive prospect database – but one of the best ways to increase its responsiveness is by developing a personal relationship with your subscribers.

 

The easier you make it for them to know, like, and trust you, the more likely they will be to open your e-mails, click on your links, and purchase the products you are selling or recommending.

 

So, in today’s digital world, how, exactly, do you develop a relationship with the people on your list?

 

Here are three specific things you can start doing right away to help create a bond with the users on the other end of your websites and e-mails and, thus, increase the responsiveness (and profitability) of your list.

 

• First, get personal.

 

Whenever you are writing copy for your website or an e-mail that you’ll be sending to your list, write it as if you were having a conversation with your reader, face to face. And look for ways to incorporate your personal story and your own personality into the copy.

 

I make my websites and emails personal by keeping my readers updated on where I am and what I’m doing. I also share information about my background, and the successes (and failures) that I’ve experienced.

 

A good format is to start your e-mails with a quick personal update, then go into your content or sales message. And the “About” page on your website is a great place to share personal background information.

 

• Second, put a face to the name.

 

Be sure to have at least one photo of yourself on your website. Your readers want to know that there is a real person at the other end.

 

A great example is the way Dave Munson includes many photos of his adventures, background story and his family, on the hugely successful www.saddlebackleather.com web site.

 

I highly recommend you take a look at this great marketing-led web site.

 

• Third, use video.

 

Having video on your website is one of the best ways to connect with visitors (other than meeting them in person and shaking their hands). Soon enough, online video will be the rule, not the exception – because it’s not as expensive or as difficult as it used to be.

 

One tool to try is the Flip – an inexpensive camera you can use to record video and upload it to your website with the click of a button.

 

All three of these simple strategies can help you and your website stand out in a cold and crowded digital world. By taking advantage of them, you’ll quickly discover that while it’s true that “the money is in the list,” there is more money in your relationship with the people on that list.