One of the leading challenges of start-ups is finding customers. The task can get expensive and take a long time. As a matter of fact, many ventures go belly up before getting enough customers.
Typically, new companies are short on financing and have a limited workforce that can handle a large marketing campaign. It can be very challenging to build a customer base.
What is the Solution?
If you are trying to build a client base for your business; you can't ignore the opt-in list. This tactic is extremely cost-effective. All the effort you put into growing your list pays off because you own your list and can advertise to it over and over.
You can save money by selling to repeat customers instead on constantly trying to find new buyers. You can run fewer ads, you can purchase less leads and you can save money on an advertising campaign. Actually, if you succeed at putting together an opt-in list, you may not have to buy leads ever.
Therefore, if building a customer list is so wonderful and low-cost, how can you begin?
1. Start by Getting Your Prospects to Have Faith in You
Don't make this hard on yourself. Think about meeting people initially and starting friendships. Imagine a person you never met before offered to solve your problem - just to be nice? This would probably form a certain amount of trust and friendship, right?
So take this concept and apply it to your business. Give away free advice, tips or free samples to help prospects out. This "gift" makes you look likable in their eyes. How likely is it that they will return to you and refer others to your business?
2. Next, Put Together Your Gift
Now, don't make this hard on yourself. Note, you're not trying to get your customers to buy - you're giving them something for free. A simple 2-page write up or small freebie is more than enough. You can format your free report as a "Top 10 List" or advice on how people can resolve their situations. Make it into a downloadable document with a free software like Cute PDF.
However, keep in mind: first impressions count. Quality counts over quantity here. Show people that you know what you're talking about. Teach people tactics to quickly get rid of their dilemmas. If done right, you will gain their trust.
In exchange for the free "gift" you hand out, request contact information from prospects so that you can follow up with them to give them more free tips. If what you offer truly can help your prospects, they will want to keep in contact with you anyway.
3. Lastly Assemble an Automated Tool that Does the Work for You
Obtaining a customer's email is much easier than a phone number or mailing address. In general, people are much more likely to give out this information. Thus, let's go for emails. The quickest way to obtain email addresses is by way of a website.
If your business does not currently have a website, set one up. This can be done very cheaply with basic basic applications.
Once you have your website set up, you are ready to include a form to your website and start collecting names and emails from potential buyers. Email marketing services like Constant Contact and Your Mailing List Provider provide businesses with sign up forms that you can post on your site. They do all of the programming and will manage your list data for you. With a few clicks of a button, you can check in with your contacts again and again.
Email marketing systems like these cost roughly $ 20 per month. These programs are not free, but they cost less than direct mail campaigns or hosting an event.
So how do you start attracting visitors to your sign up form? Take advantage of social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Announce your free gift and ask visitors to share the news with people they know.
What's the Downside to Building an Email Opt-In List?
One drawback to building a list this way is that you usually don't meet your prospects person to person. You can only build so much trust using a computer screen Moreover, you need to spend time and energy and perhaps money developing an article you can hand out for free. Another thing to think about is that if your market does not spend much time on the web, interacting via email may not be your best alternative.
Typically, new companies are short on financing and have a limited workforce that can handle a large marketing campaign. It can be very challenging to build a customer base.
What is the Solution?
If you are trying to build a client base for your business; you can't ignore the opt-in list. This tactic is extremely cost-effective. All the effort you put into growing your list pays off because you own your list and can advertise to it over and over.
You can save money by selling to repeat customers instead on constantly trying to find new buyers. You can run fewer ads, you can purchase less leads and you can save money on an advertising campaign. Actually, if you succeed at putting together an opt-in list, you may not have to buy leads ever.
Therefore, if building a customer list is so wonderful and low-cost, how can you begin?
1. Start by Getting Your Prospects to Have Faith in You
Don't make this hard on yourself. Think about meeting people initially and starting friendships. Imagine a person you never met before offered to solve your problem - just to be nice? This would probably form a certain amount of trust and friendship, right?
So take this concept and apply it to your business. Give away free advice, tips or free samples to help prospects out. This "gift" makes you look likable in their eyes. How likely is it that they will return to you and refer others to your business?
2. Next, Put Together Your Gift
Now, don't make this hard on yourself. Note, you're not trying to get your customers to buy - you're giving them something for free. A simple 2-page write up or small freebie is more than enough. You can format your free report as a "Top 10 List" or advice on how people can resolve their situations. Make it into a downloadable document with a free software like Cute PDF.
However, keep in mind: first impressions count. Quality counts over quantity here. Show people that you know what you're talking about. Teach people tactics to quickly get rid of their dilemmas. If done right, you will gain their trust.
In exchange for the free "gift" you hand out, request contact information from prospects so that you can follow up with them to give them more free tips. If what you offer truly can help your prospects, they will want to keep in contact with you anyway.
3. Lastly Assemble an Automated Tool that Does the Work for You
Obtaining a customer's email is much easier than a phone number or mailing address. In general, people are much more likely to give out this information. Thus, let's go for emails. The quickest way to obtain email addresses is by way of a website.
If your business does not currently have a website, set one up. This can be done very cheaply with basic basic applications.
Once you have your website set up, you are ready to include a form to your website and start collecting names and emails from potential buyers. Email marketing services like Constant Contact and Your Mailing List Provider provide businesses with sign up forms that you can post on your site. They do all of the programming and will manage your list data for you. With a few clicks of a button, you can check in with your contacts again and again.
Email marketing systems like these cost roughly $ 20 per month. These programs are not free, but they cost less than direct mail campaigns or hosting an event.
So how do you start attracting visitors to your sign up form? Take advantage of social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook. Announce your free gift and ask visitors to share the news with people they know.
What's the Downside to Building an Email Opt-In List?
One drawback to building a list this way is that you usually don't meet your prospects person to person. You can only build so much trust using a computer screen Moreover, you need to spend time and energy and perhaps money developing an article you can hand out for free. Another thing to think about is that if your market does not spend much time on the web, interacting via email may not be your best alternative.
About the Author:
Kelly Meyers is the Chief Marketing Officer at HotEnvelope.com. Since 2001, Hot Envelope has researched information on leads, sales copy and email marketing tools for small business owners. For more information on email tools that can help your business and a free copy of the book, "How to Write Killer Promo Emails", click here.
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