Build A Super Targeted List With A Separated Autoresponder Series And Newsletter
Build A Super Targeted List With A Separated Autoresponder Series And Newsletter
Every once in a while, on any given marketing forum, someone will start a thread asking which is better, an autoresponder series of a newsletter. Well, the answer is both. Both an autoresponder series and a newsletter have their benefits, but depending on the level of experience of your subscriber, one may be better than the other. Each individual subscriber is different and each has their own unique informational needs.
An e-course, also known as an autoresponder series is great for somebody who is just beginning to understand a subject. An autoresponder series can be easily set up with the unique needs of the layman in mind. For example, if a webmaster with several years of experience setting up websites using straight HTML or perhaps dynamic PHP scripts wants to share their knowledge to newbie upstarts, they can simply write a series of emails noting each step in the process of launching and monetizing a website. The first email could be about niche selection followed by one about acquiring a keyword rich domain name. Then follow up emails could discuss acquiring hosting and generating content. The entire autoresponder series could be monetized by providing affiliate links to the tools and services that the subscriber will be using to build their own business. An autoresponder series or e-course such as this is a great way to build the level of trust of the subscriber and get them used to hearing from you on a regular basis as well as opening your emails and clicking on the links that you provide.
A newsletter on the other hand is more for individuals who already have a basic understanding of a particular subject of interest but are learning to continue their education and continue refining their skills. A newsletter would be published on a regular basis, usually once or twice a week and would be prepared with as much quality and value as is possible. That way, trust is maintained between the publisher and the subscriber. A newsletter can be monetized two different ways. The first way is through soft selling. Most publications soft sell, meaning that they place advertisements throughout the publication with the content. This way, the advertisements are seen along with the main material of the publication. The other method is a hard sell. A hard sell is an email newsletter that is sent or blasted to the list with only an advertisement as the newsletter content. A hard sell will typically polarize a list in that non-buyers will immediately subscribe where as buyers man opt to purchase the product being offered. Either way, subscriber trust is essential.
Email marketing requires resources that are not free. Many quality autoresponder services provide excellent deliverability at reasonable prices, but as a means to provide acceptable Return On Investment (ROI) costs must be controlled and in the world of email marketing, this means trimming the fat out of your list and eliminating the freebie seekers. How can this be done?