I talk a lot about building big email lists (such as in 100 Subscribers Per Day), but not so much about developing rock solid relationships with your subscribers.
Yet without getting your subscribers to like and trust you, having a big email list will be pointless.
I’d almost go as fas as to say that your RELATIONSHIP with your subscribers is more important than the SIZE of your email list. And that’s coming from someone who teaches list BUILDING!
Adopt these five tips that I regulary use to increase the bond I have with my subscribers, and to increase the chance that each subcriber will buy something from me in the future.
1. Have a “welcoming” welcome email
Your welcome email is the first message your new subscriber will receive from you, and it will set the tone for the rest of your relationship.
My opening message usually includes a brief introduction about me as a person and my business and then I encourage my new subscriber to email me back introducing themselves to me.
Often I prepare a short five or six question questionnaire for my new subscribers to fill out. Their answers provide me with valuable market research (such as, “What would you most like to learn about?”) and also shows my subscribers that I’m interested in THEM.
2. Peronally interact with your subscribers
Everytime I send out an email, I encourage my subscribers to hit the “Reply” button if they have any questions or want any help.
I regularly get emails from my subcribers as a result of this and I personally reply to 95% of those messages.
When I reply, the subscriber on the other end of the email sees that I’m a real human being interested in them – and not some marketing guy interested in increasing my bottom line.
Some of my subscribers reply to almost every email I send and I reply back to them. For a handful of subscribers I could recite their life story – and when I do a promotion, I almost always see their name in my order reports.
3. Provide TOP QUALITY content
This goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway. The BEST way to get people to keep opening your emails, is to provide good content.
Things such as articles, reports, audios, videos, interviews etc. And it doesn’t always have to be from you.
If there’s an expert in your market who’s written a really good article, or created a really good product then share it with your subscribers. They’ll thank you for it.
4. You don’t ALWAYS have to make money from an email
When I first started building an email list, I believed that every single email I sent out had to make money. It doesn’t.
For example, I’d write a quality article, share it with my subscribers, but within the article I’d plug a bunch of affiliate links to relevant products. And then at the end I’d put another affiliate link.
It would have looked to my subscribers as if the primary reason I was sharing this content was because I wanted to make money. Whereas if I’d left those affiliate links out, it would have loked like I merely wanted to share some good content and HELP them.
And if your subscribers see you to be helping them, then that’s what ultimately builds your rock solid relationship.
5. Be interesting and different
I, even now, fall into the trap of writing articles and reports as if I was writing for a text book. While I often use real life examples and case studies, I rarely inject my personality into my content.
Even in this post here I’ve written as if I’m writing for a textbook.
There’s a couple of marketers who’s emails and blog posts I read regularly primarily because they manage to inject their personality and humour into their content.
For example, Dan Thompson. I read Dan’s emails every time I get one because I know it’s going to be an interesting read. I know that even if the content isn’t going to make massive improvements to my business, it’s going to give me a good laugh.
Hit the link below to read one of Dan’s best, most humorous posts. (But not if you are easily offended)
Click Here To Read His Post
And take a look around his blog. There’s personality injected into every aspect.
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It’s imperative that you build a rock solid relationship with your subscribers.
Otherwise your list building efforts will be wasted.
Implement some of these strategies today and see your response rates soar.
And if you don’t have any subscribers to build a relationship with yet, then check out my new training course 100 Subscribers Per Day. You won’t regret it 
I hope you enjoyed this free content.
Leave your comments below letting me know what you think, and share some stories of your successes (and failures) developing relationships with your subscribers.
I’ll be in touch again soon with more great stuff.
Talk soon,
James Penn
Leave a Reply
03/02/2011
I mentor students online and used much of what you mentioned. I would say that connecting with your list and giving them good, practical information will soon turn them into loyal subscribers with plans to buy from you soon.
Nice one James. Been following you for a while. I don’t subscribe to many blogs, but your is a definate read
Seems to be working for you. I make a point of opening your emails, which is more than can be said for around 75% of the stuff that reaches my inbox. I like the questionnaire in the welcome email idea so much I’m going to steal it.
Thanks Geoff. Steal away.
That’s why I share some of these things – so my subscribers can implement what’s working for me.
James
Hi James,
Very informative. Helpful type of honesty I am looking for in I M Marketers to relay to my readers. I hope you don’t mind if I post this on my Blog next Tuesday ( including your links ) on my blog.
Thanks for the great insight and content.
Best regards,
Harry
Go ahead Harry, as long as the links are there that’s fine
hey James,
Enjoying this little journey with ya around list building. Seems you know a thing or 2, so its good to be learning all the tips like the ones above.
I particularly like the one, where you always suggest to subscribers to hit the “reply” button – creating that interaction is important. I do it myself, but could possibly encourage it in every email I think.
Wonder if you could comment on the open rates of emails and what are some good open rates to aim for?
cheers,
Kieran
Hi James,
Really enjoyed reading your post and 100 subs a day course!
And Dan’s style is hilarious. I got on his list right away, just to prove your point
All the best,
Andi
Cool Tips James
But then yeah – over the years you have always given quality content – so you obviously listen to your own advice
(you can laugh…. but look at how many say these things – then just send pitch emails day after day!!)
Rest assured – I’ve always opened your emails mate
(You’re on my list of ALWAYS OPEN and have been for years)
Randy
Thanks Randy. I REALLY appreciate it
It’s a shame there’s not a more intimate forum where we can chat like we used to in Lee’s Standing Start Profits forum.
Those were the days!
James
I totally agree with Randy. James, you have won my trust.
Please keep on the good work,
Ido
Thanks Ido
I appreciate it immensely.
James
Great Information here James! Quality content is always key when making connections.
I am just starting out with the listbuilding, and just bought your product,and it was a great read, and very informative. I to like to thank you for keeping up with the support and the emails. Most people do not do that once you buy something from them…they just want to sell some more.
Again, thank you for the wonderful post, and the information you provide.
Thanks for buying Carlos and for your comment.
I’m not one of those marketers who takes someone’s money and runs off and creates a new product under a different pen name.
I’m here to stay in this market and my name is gonna stay with me so my reputation means everything.
James
Great advise James,
I do open you emails, and read them through. Looking forward to promoting your materials and mine.
Yaron
All of the above James, and then some. Good work man, that questionnaire idea I think is a fantastic way to get a good idea about your subscribers. Thanks for sharing it.
I am not involved in the IM niche, but I know how competitive it is, and the fact that you show real integrity sets you apart. There are very few like you in this market right now, and I want to sincerely thank you for all your help. I got more out of your 100 subscribers a day report than I’ve seen in $497 video courses … all dinner, no filler!
Took you up on the offer with Lee McIntyre BTW, thanks for getting me to finally check out his stuff. I should have bought IIS system a long time ago. : )
Matt
Hey Matt
Don’t thank me, THANK YOU for grabbing my 100 SPD and Lee’s offer. Of course I get a commission for recommending it but only do so because I know subscribers/customers will get massive value from it.
James
I like the ‘hit reply’ idea. I use the post a comment idea too often and get a few results…it helps build content…I tried a contest once for ‘best comment/idea’ and that worked well.
As I am the new editor for our site, I am still learning the art of list building.
I am working on a “thank you gift” for new subscribers, one that I am sure will help grow the list.
Thanks for the post,
-Kevin
Hi, James…
I’ve appreciated all your help and comments, and indeed content is king. However, I’m a bit stumped getting my blog going. Do you have any reference books that you or others have found handy for starting a web blog? I’m all eyes and ears.
Thanks, Galen
Several good tips here. Things like writing funny and amusing emails, giving away free and quality content and services always works.
Winning tactics indeed James. Thanks for sharing
Dwight Anthony
Financially Elite Blog dot Com
Hey James,
You mean I can’t just send adswaps and promos to my list everyday?
Many are teaching this now… Kind of disturbing, but people are actually teaching “churn & burn” list building and expectgin it to work long term…
Well, I’ve always like you James because I can relate… We are both college students and we both take a similar view on things…
Plus Accelerated List Building and also the 100 SPD helps keep me on track.
It’s easy to have a responsive list… Just send them stuff YOU WOULD WANT to read! The golden rule is never more true than in Internet Marketing especially if you try to tackle the IM niche…
Don’t fall for “churn & burn” list building techniques, just keep 100 SPD or ALB close by and stay tuned to this blog and I bet your subscribers will soon be saying the same thing we all are saying about James!
Cheers,
Coby Wright
Hi James
Love your post. I just purchased 100 SPD and Lee’s product I loved yours and implemented right away. Didn’t get to lees yet. Hope you don’t mind I’m going to steal your tips here both are fantastic. I’ll difinitely be purchasing from you again
Success
Dorothy