“You need a list,” they said. “The money is in the list,” they said. “You need an autoresponder,” they said. So you purchased an autoresponder; you added an opt-in box on your website; you have a couple of subscribers; now what?
Now, you sit down and plan out what you’re going to send to your list.
The thing is, the money is in the list ONLY if you stay in contact with the list. If you send out random emails every few months or every few years (yikes!) chances are you’ll have several unsubscribes and maybe even a few spam reports. Since you weren’t consistent in your communication, your subscribers are probably wondering who the heck you are and why they opted into your list in the first place.
Be Cognizant of Your Subscribers
Although some of your subscribers may not fit your client avatar, the majority of your subscribers should be your ideal clients. When you write your emails, you want to write your emails in a manner that speaks to your ideal clients.
What do they need? What are their pain points right now, this minute? How can you help them? What products or coaching packages can they use in their lives right now?
Knowing the general details of your subscribers’ lives and their needs will naturally tell you what kinds of offers to make. Of course, offer your own services and products first but also investigate affiliate programs of products that complement what you offer.
Ask Questions
In this social media age, people are gung-ho to offer opinions on absolutely everything, so don’t be afraid to ask open-ended questions about what your subscribers need. This is market research and shouldn’t be construed as an invasion of privacy. People are more than happy to answer your questions. There is even a method being taught today called the ASK Method where the creator shows you how to systematically use asking questions to propel your business forward. You want to fill your subscriber’s needs and guess what they need isn’t a productive way to use your time.
Planning is Essential to Being Consistent
Consistency is key to developing and keeping loyal followers. Plan your emails to correspond with your other content and promotional offerings during the month. Decide how often you will email your list then pick a specific day of the week. Mark it in your calendar and as a recurring task in your project management software so it’s official. At the very least, tie in your weekly blog content with your email theme/offer or get adventurous and choose a monthly theme. Write it all down so nothing falls through the cracks.
