Participating In E-mail Discussion
Lists
As we all know, marketing is really just a "numbers game" -- the more people you
introduce to our services, the more money you'll make. And Internet marketing is the same
way, it's all about exposure. To be successful in the long-run on the 'Net, you need to be
consistent, patient, and you need to always be looking for additional ways to advertise
your business.
And one of the best places to market your products and services is on the over 80,000
Internet Mailing Lists. A mailing list is simply a program that automatically distributes
messages to all list subscribers. With the press of a button, you can literally send a
message to thousands of Internet users subscribing to a particular list. It's better than
Bulk E-mail!
Better Than Bulk E-mail
Over the past year, I've literally generated thousands and thousands of inquiries by
taking part in these discussion lists. Using the same techniques I do in the newsgroups, I
post often and reply to as many messages as I possibly can. The difference is that 10,000
or more qualified prospects see my signature every time I post to a popular discussion
list, and many visit my web site!
At the bottom of this page is a link to one of the best discussion list resource sites
around. You'll learn how to easily search for and subscribe to lists that interest you all
within just a few short minutes. No doubt you'll find a few that you'll be able to
participate in. There are even a bunch of marketing lists that you should subscribe to.
But before you click off, please finish reading.
So how do they work? What you get is a daily batch of mail. It would be like someone
sending you the contents of each day's postings in a particular newsgroup as E-mail at the
end of every day. You read the mail and respond to what ever you want to, or send new
messages. You can also choose to receive each message individually as its sent if you
wish.
The idea is to actively participate in the discussions, the more messages you send to
the list the better. Why? Your signature of course! Be sure to read the page on signatures
and set one up if you haven't already. Feel free to use mine from the e-mails I've sent
you, or create your own. It's a mini-advertisement that thousands and thousands of people
will see every time you post a message to the list.
These lists are literally an untapped gold mine. It's amazing how many Internet
marketers don't take advantage of them. Think about it. You get to "take a
break" from marketing, yet you're marketing your business the whole time. The popular
lists have 10,000+ subscribers, which means every time you post a message to the list,
10,000 or more people will see your URL!
Effectively Using Mailing Lists For Advertising
You'll want to post as much as you possibly can. Just don't go overboard. If you've
subscribed to lists that interest you, you should be able to post often without even
thinking because you already have some knowledge on the subject. But whatever you do,
don't reply with "I agree." and then a 10 line signature. You'll be laughed off
the list in no time.
Product announcements are acceptable if posted one time to appropriate mailing lists. A
book author will announce the availability of his new book after it is published for
example. Along with a brief outline, he tells list members how to order a copy of the
book. Announcements concerning for-profit seminars and new products are also common.
An extremely effective way to market using mailing lists is to give a great deal of
content on a subject related to your business. Whatever your interest or business I'm sure
you have some useful information or experiences that you would like to share with others.
Share it in the mailing list, then at the end of the article, mention your URL, etc.
I suggest you subscribe to a few lists that really interest you, the more involved you get
the better. Have a hobby? It's safe to say there's a list for discussing it. Just go to
the URL at the bottom of this page and do a search for whatever you're interested in.
Subscribe to the lists, then just wait for the messages to start rolling in. You should
see something within a day or so.
I suggest you "lurk" for a day or 2, just read the messages that come in and
get a feel for the list. Then when you have something to contribute, start replying to
messages. Soon after, you'll be posting your own messages and will be an active
contributor to the list. Just don't post anything "off-topic", and definitely
don't ever post a blatant ad to a list unless you know it's ok.
Some Lists Encourage Advertising
Before attempting to sell on any given mailing list, read the FAQ (Frequently Asked
Questions) for that list. The FAQ will usually be included in the confirmation message
sent to you after subscribing. Some lists encourage commercial announcements so long as
they relate to the list topic, while others strictly prohibit commercial activities.
Sending a blatant advertisement to a list that has nothing to do with your product or
service is always considered spamming. If you do this, you'll be "flamed" off
the list forever. If your product or service will be of interest to list members and the
FAQ allows commercial announcements then you can definitely be more forward with your
advertising activities.
The key to posting commercial announcements and advertisements to mailing lists is to make
them brief, to the point, and of interest to those on the list. If you contribute
content-oriented material and advice regularly to the list, members are more accepting of
such periodic marketing activities. Whatever you do, just use some common sense.
On the other hand, if the only time you ever contribute to a list is when you are
advertising then eventually list members will tire of your activities and begin asking you
to quit your marketing activities. Another entrepreneur on one of my favorite lists only
posts messages about his book, his products, and his MLM opportunities. Always taking,
never giving content in return.
Essentially this entrepreneur has lost a great deal of respect on the list and probably
finds it difficult now to market anything there. The old adage "Give and you shall
receive" truly applies to marketing activities on mailing lists.
Ready, Set, Go, Go, Go!
Once you are actively participating in a few lists, you'll be amazed at how much business
it can bring you. Because you normally won't be posting blatant ads, believe it or not,
more people will inquire about your business and/or visit your web site. When most people
come across a blatant ad, they skip right past it. But when they finish reading an
interesting, helpful, and/or informative message you posted, they will be much more
inclined to respond positively.
Don't believe me? Try it and you'll see!
E-Mail Discussion Groups/Lists -
Resources
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