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How To Build Your E-mail List

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We’ve covered how to build an auto-responder for your business account.  But then the question hit us: where are you get all those e-mails?

1. Writing free e-zine and blog articles

Contrary to popular belief, people are reading more than ever nowadays.  Submitting an article to somewhere like Go Articles is a quick way to increase exposure.  Keeping up a blog and sending out articles on a regular basis helps a business appear current and stay in shape SEO wise.

2. Using Social Media

It is often said that social media is over-hyped.  However, it’s all about how you use it.  For example, answering questions on a LinkedIn group can help both break the ice and show how useful you and your product are.  Posting questions on forums can also include a link to page to sign up for your e-mail list.  People are always more willing to give something if they get something in return including good honest knowledge.

3. Creating Online Webinars

A webinar has a dual purpose.  Using tools like LinkedIn and other social media sites, you can get people to sign up and finally put a face to the company.  Services like GoToWebinar also allow you to record your session to use for later content.  Of course directly interfacing with your customers is always a good thing.

For more information on using technology to your advantage go here.

How to: E-mail Auto-Responder

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E-mail is the most cost-effective way to stay in contact with your customer base. No stamps or waiting time is required and it can be received from anywhere.  So what’s the most cost-effective way of e-mailing?

An auto responder is a quick way to easily reach everyone in your contacts list.  There are several apps that you can use like Constant Contact and iContact.  For our purpose, we’ll use iContact.

First you need to import a contact list.  What’s the point of having an auto responder if you have no one to send e-mails to?

iContact has four ways to import contacts: one-by-one data entry style, uploading a text file, copy and pasting into a form, or using sign up forms.

Next you’ll want to divide up your contacts so you can focus your message.  Most people will either fall into a customer, a prospect, or other, such as a supplier.

In iContact, this is done via the My List tab.  After that is done, now is the time to create your actual e-mails.

The biggest reason I’d recommend using a service rather than building your own auto responder script is simplicity.  All of the aforementioned apps above have step-by-step templates that make professional looking e-mails.  That way, you can make a something that’s unique without having to hire a graphic designer.

Now, go forth and start your e-mail marketing campaigns!