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Mailing List Management
Mechanics by Michel Fortin Obviously, having an Internet
presence is important for doing business online. But it doesn't mean
simply being a mere silent billboard in cyberspace. In addition to online
(and offline) promotional activities, one has to maintain a consistent
contact with web site visitors who, in most part, are potential customers.
And one must interact with them as well. Next, in order to properly maintain
your list you will need a system that will help you compile and properly
manage subscriptions. If you're using a simple email program or address
book, they can become bulky and cumbersome after a certain period of time.
Of course, there are also Perl (or CGI) and Microsoft NT (or ASP) mailing
list management scripts available for the more technically inclined. These
scripts offer webmasters the ability to maintain their own mailing lists
directly onsite. For example, some can be found at: However, most Internet marketers are business owners
and, if they're anything like me, they more than likely do not have the
time to implement and manage their lists themselves. If this applies to
you, a tool you will therefore need is what is called a mailing list
server. If you publish an ezine on a regular basis or plan to
make announcements about updates to your website (you definitely should
maintain a certain contact with visitors), a list server will definitely
become handy if not necessary. Some web hosts offer list servers as part
of their hosting packages while other sites provide the necessary scripts
to configure your own list server.
An action word or phrase, especially on or near the submit button, such as "subscribe," "enter," "join," "enroll" and so on (in other words, tell the visitor exactly what to do, i.e., take them "by the hand"); And simple, clear removal instructions (on the
website, on the privacy policy, in your welcome message and in every
communication you make) so recipients can easily unsubscribe from your
list at any time. Mailing lists are not limited to email addresses that
you've personally captured. They can certainly be leased or bought from a
reputable, responsible, and ethical list broker. Keep in mind that bulk
email (or "spam") is not the same thing as bulk (or "junk") mail.
Unsolicited email uses a lot more resources and can be construed as an
invasion of one's privacy. While you should start building your own list with the
use of the following list management sites, many of them also list other
mailing lists to which you can subscribe and submit your ads or articles,
depending on their guidelines. When doing so, you should somehow invite
people to subscribe to your list as well, such as with your email
signature or article byline.
Nevertheless, one of the most powerful marketing tools for online businesses (and even offline ones) are "opt-in" mailing lists. Use a list server or list management program to start publishing a newsletter, to interact with your subscribers through a discussion list, or at least to announce important updates in order to keep in touch with your prospects. About the Author Michel Fortin, of http://SuccessDoctor.com/, is a marketing professor and a highly sought-after consultant whose advice has helped countless clients earn millions in record time. His latest book, "Power Positioning Dot Com," reveals how to keep your business or product indelibly carved into your prospects' uppermost consciousness at all times -- see http://successdoctor.com/pp/. |
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