In the first post of this series: List Building – The Most Important Step is The First, we spoke of goals and how important planning is to your list building efforts. In the second post of this series: List Building – Target Market Analysis, we covered the role research plays in growing your opt-in list. In this post, the last of this series, we discuss problem solving and promotion of your opt-in list. Let’s get started.
Problem Solving: “The mental process that involves discovering, analyzing and solving problems. The ultimate goal of problem-solving is to overcome obstacles and find a solution that best resolves the issue.” About.com
Although you may not be ready to create your opt-in product, it is important that you start thinking about what you can offer. The best way to get started is to approach product creation from the standpoint of being a problem solver.
Your target market’s main thought is “What’s in it for me?“ They are only concerned with what you can offer them – what benefit it is to them.
In general, people want to:
- Make More Money
- Work Less
- Be Happier
- Be Smarter
- Get In Shape
- Be More Attractive
- Save Time
- Reduce Stress
- Look Better
- Find A Mate
- Become Fit
- And a lot more.
Think about the obstacles your market faces, the issue(s) they are facing in their life, then create your product around solutions to those problems.
Okay, now that you’ve got people signed up for your email list, what are your follow-up goals? Yes, more goals…get used to them.
Another thing to consider is how often to send follow up emails to your list. Some email campaigns may consist of up to 10-15 messages, a 30-day e-course, or as few as a weekly or monthly newsletter.
At this point in your list building efforts, it’s important that you begin thinking of how you can continue to meet (solve) your markets ongoing needs (problems) while at the same time meeting your own business goals.
This is important because it helps in the product creation phase as well.
For instance, let’s say that you’re creating an in-depth email course as your free product giveaway, you’re obviously going to deliver it via autoresponder. Your site visitors sign up to receive the free e-course at which time they are then forwarded to a thank you page and their first course.
All the courses must be prepared in advance, uploaded into your auto-responder, then scheduled for delivery. Again, this is why planning each step of your list building plan is critical to success. Research, plan, action.
In conjunction with problem solving comes promotion. This is the final piece of your opt-in list building plan. How do you plan to promote your opt-in list?
Essentially, there are two components to this stage:
- Integrate your list promotions with current marketing tactics, and
- Using new list building tactics
Integrating your existing marketing efforts could be as simple as promoting your list on the social networking platforms. Take Facebook for example; create a fan page and promote your free product via posts and updates.
Another promotion tactic could include working new ventures with your current JV (Joint Venture) partners.
If you are not currently using Pay-Per-Click (PPC) to promote your list, then you may want to consider including this tactic as well.
Another list promotion tactic would be to create a viral ad campaign. You could accomplish this with either a YouTube video, eBooks, brandable software, images, or even text messages.
Conclusion
A quick synopsis of this three part list building series: Planning is central to your list building goals and strategy always comes first before taking action.
The plan you formulate is critical to your success, due to the fact that it will become part of your overall business plan and help maximize all other business building strategies.
You must know your target market intimately! You must know as much as you can about their fears, hopes, dreams, and the issues they face on a daily basis.
Look at your business’ purpose as that of being a problem solver. Create products with an emphasis towards solving your markets problems.
When it comes to list building and marketing online, your business tactics and strategies (promotions) work hand-in-hand to maximize continuity, return on investment and consistent business growth.
And remember, the most important step is the first…Take It!
- James
