Hitting Targeted Market

I am a newcomer to the internet website business.
I am very frustrated on how to customize my search for my particular client.
I would know sending out mass emails generates some business!
But it also generates emails to people that do NOT want them.
I know I get so much "advertising" and end up hitting the delete button as soon as I '
open my email! Is this just part of marketing until you build your list?
HELP!

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Steve on June 6, 2009 at 7:13pm: Linda Jo,
I went to your site and see you specialize in wedding gifts. If you have not done so already I would search out sites that offer free listings for your service. Weddingwire.com is one (I own an old church and have a free ad for venue rental) there are several, actually a bunch, most charge but some offer free limited space. I also would find as many groups and bulletin boards that pertain to weddings as I could, join and offer advice and always put a plug in for your services. Beware, always offer some advice or join discussions or they will see you as just being on to be commercial and you could get the boot. Always put a link to your website in your signature line.
Swap links with other wedding services such as florists and who ever else is in the wedding business. There are always plenty of wedding shows to attend as a vendor, some are very reasonable to do, especially mall shows. Downside to wedding business is mostly you have your customer only once (well not always) but word of mouth is great in this business! I am sure I only touched a tip of the ideas for getting your website known so keep your opt in form in a good place and you will get sign ups!

Here is a little thing I jotted down, maybe it will give a few ideas.
http://lounge.verticalresponse.com/forum/topics/building-a-mailing-...

Hope this helps; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bill Henthorn on July 8, 2009 at 6:21pm: Howdy Ms. Linda Jo,

Steve's got some great thoughts in his article.

Remember: the overarching rule is simply this:

Build a relationship by giving valuable stuff
away for free, so that your subscribers welcome
receiving your info, develop trust with you, and
follow you loyally.

And remember this idea from sales:

80% of sales are made after the 7th contact.

Here's a specific idea to get free qualified traffic:

Use article marketing: EzineArticles.com:

1. set up your account
2. write some articles
3. make the titles keyword-based
4. work hard on your author bio so people click through
5. have them land on a signup page (more about that here:)
6. make sure they double opt in (more about that here:)

I have a ton more ideas for you here: Ripper Marketing

Questions? Comment on my wall and I'll reply:

Hope that helps a tad,

Bill Henthorn; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Claire Alcock on July 14, 2009 at 2:26pm: Hi Linda Jo,

I agree with Bill on this. The best way to build your list is the great content that answer people's questions about your subject, not just your company or product.

article marketing is essentially blogging. A blog is a really easy way to regularly update your website with relevant content that give people answers for their situation - the types of advice you will find yourself giving in 1 to 1 emails all the time I bet.

A blog is a great way to build your customer list as they can subscribe to your posts. You can add the vertical response widget in to build your list directly from the site.

If you would like to find out more about how blogging can help you build your client list - check out our webinars on the subject www.typepad.com/small-business-blogs.

Good luck!; ▶ Reply to This