What’s the First Step in List Building?
July 19th, 2011 | 
Author: Hey everyone! Lots of you, when asked what you wanted to learn more about from me, asked for list building tips. So I want to share with you what I know about list building in a SERIES of blog posts of the next few days or week.
This isn’t a step-by-step report or a review of any tool. It’s just my thoughts on how I build my list and how I keep (most of them) subscribed.
Here’s something really funny. I’m writing this to you today because earlier, I emailed my list of almost 9,000 people asking them if they agreed with someone who had UNsubscribed to one of my lists.
It’s funny how I can have thousands of people who appreciate me and one person unsubs and I’m worried and anxious about it for a whole day.
Know what that means?
It means I care.
And that one simple step is where you need to start with your list building – caring. Bet you thought the first step would be to find a freebie or create an opt in box, didn’t you?
No – it goes down to the most basic core of serving others. Our instincts tell us to create a list because that’s “where the gold is.”
But think about it for a moment – that “gold” is coming directly out of someone’s pocket. It’s sometimes taking away from basic necessities out of desperation, so if you don’t care about the people you’re promoting to, then you might as well be a pick pocketer.
Sounds harsh, doesn’t it? I mean for it to. Because I see too many people not caring about their list and not realizing that just because the person isn’t standing in front of you, it doesn’t mean they’re any less hurt than if you ripped them off in person.
I have cried before over an unsub. One person out of almost 9,000! Cried real tears! Ridiculous. I’m not advocating you be overly emotional like me, either. LOL! There’s a perfect medium I’m sure.
But have a heart.
Now I haven’t taken many courses on list building, but I would say I have a great relationship with my subscribers. It isn’t because I had a kickass squeeze page or amazing opt in freebie. It’s because I care about them.
Over the coming days I’m going to share with you some important thoughts and steps on list building that I currently and have always used in my marketing.
Today I’m just trying to get your brain in the right mindset. Because if you’re seeing dollar signs and JV swaps on the horizon instead of focusing on the personal satisfaction you’re going to get helping people in whatever niche you’re in, then you’re not ready to list build yet.
You’re hungry – and that’s a start. But you’re not yet on TEAM SUBSCRIBER.
Follow my advice and the money will come naturally. In fact you’re not going to have to shower after you send an email out. You won’t go to bed feeling guilty that grandma in NYC didn’t have her money for meds because she bought a course you recommended on how to make $1 million in 1,000 days.
You’re going to FEEL good and BE good for your loyal customers.
Next time we’ll talk about list size and loyalty.
Part 2 in the List Building Series is located here: List Size Doesn’t Matter But Loyalty Does
Tiff
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Posted in Career
Tiffany,
I used to get upset when people unsubscribed but then I just realized I was not right for them.
You can’t be all things to all people.
All I can do is give the best information I can.
If they do not want to stick around it’s no sweat off my back because I know I have given great content and shared my best stuff with them.
It used to be really hard when I would write a post feeling like I hit it out of the park only to get a couple unsubscribes.
I really do feel I give great content on my blog about SEO yet people still unsubscribe.
This is a natural part of business. It’s not personal…It’s just business.
Well I sure feel like it’s personal sometimes! LOL! But I know you’re right
I got my first PLR pack listed for sale. Just as BUY IT NOW for now since the generic paypal shopping cart didn’t work at all!
It’s on single cup coffee machines and is up at http://www.freshestplr.com/single-cup-coffee-makers-plr.html
Thanks for the inspiration. Time to catch up now that I have the sales part figured out for now…
Good topic Clefty!
I love the relationship you have with your list and I hope I can be like that too. I also take unsubscribes to heart and always try to please everyone, but I guess I just can’t! Great idea for a new series of posts Tiff, looking forward to it.
thanks Ruth me too
I usually learn something when I do a series.
Don’t be sad about the unsub! Sometimes I unsub simply because I know I don’t check a certain email anymore and then I turn around and resubscribe with my new email.
It’s hard to know why someone does something and it could have nothing to do with you.
Ah that’s great Katherine! Well she specifically said this did but let’s hope she finds what she needs
I’m really glad to see that you are doing a series on list-building. Whenever I search the WF or Google for information on this topic, I get sick and angry at how some marketers treat the subject — as if subscribers are dumb and just waiting to be ripped off. I’m looking forward to your next posts. =)
Ah well I hope I can make an impact then!
Hi Tiff,
I’m not sure that it is instinct that makes people want to build a list. I think it is more brain washing. Ever since I started looking at making money online “The money is in the list” has been part of the ‘Guru’s mantra’ They all recommend building a list to push their next recommendation to because a number of subscribers will buy it. Easy money – apparently.
I’m sure most of us here know of one particular list we found ourselves on through buying a great product only to be bombarded almost daily with absolute rubbish ever since.
I don’t have a list on any of my sites so at least I don’t get any unsubs
. I could over analyze it and put it down to various charcater flaws but maybe I just don’t want the responsibility.
As for unsubscribing – I do it all the time. I have to get on the list for the info I want then once the objective is achieved – unsubcribe. Am I worried about what the list owner thinks? No!
If I may offer a tip for those with email problems. I just use one junk email account and enter my first name as a reference to where I signed up to the list. i.e. PLRATM, Squid52, IPK280210. You get the idea. This tells me whether my email has been passed on or whether a marketer is doing a JV with somebody else.
If I get an email with the wrong first name then I either report is as spam or at least raise a question with the originatoras to where my info came from.
Not that I’m paranoid at all.
No it’s not instinct – it’s money. I agree they’re brain washed. Although you do want a list Adrian
And if you ever unsub, I want you to think about me! LOL! I’ll be crying in my strawberry daiquiri!
Looking forward to the email series. The first time I had someone unsub was when I sent an email with a link to one of your specials. I felt terrible about it! But then the next day someone wrote and thanked me for the link and made two purchases!
Oh no! Some people do unsub whenever you promote ANYthing – they feel it should be 100% no promotions.
Tiffany,
Just because I don’t have the time to go through the Traffic FUEL training steps, I’m still very interested in the topic. I’m so glad you will be doing a series of posts on this subject.
Dang, woman – Cannot believe how productive you were on Tuesday, July 19th – I was sitting in Selena Auditorium in Corpus with my 4-yr-old grandson and his mom watching the live Barney Birthday Bash! No wonder I need help building a list!!!
Keep up the good work – def. looking forward to your teachings!
Love live Barney! LOL
I posted this as an answer to “how to build a list” on Peggy Baron’s blog:
Share lots of details..
answer every question..
share a lot of love..
One reply said it was EPIC… LOL
Yes it’s simple and yet true! And all you need LOL!
Ohhh golly. I have had my site running for about a month and have 5 people on my list (woohoo) I get paranoid that only one of them opens my email – God help me if one of them unsubscribes!
As far as unsubscribing goes – I went through and unsubbed from a whole lot of emails, some were just constantly promotional, some I just never got time to read (Viperchill is one that I do enjoy, but I just do not have time to ‘chase’) so rather than be tempted I unsubscribe. At least your unsub gave you her reasons…. or were they excuses?
Speaking of unscrupulous emails – how many times do you get emails from people whose list you have unsubscribed from?
Really looking forward to your blog series on building a list – without the ‘the money is in the list’ mantra!
lol we all stared with just 1 subscriber.
List building is the one topic I have struggled with for years – yes years – and I’m not much further ahead than when I started. So I’ll be all ears for the upcoming emails on lists.
Thanks Tiff!
Ron
good deal Ron! Hope it helps
Great Post again Tiffany. You are right on. That is what I really like about you. You do really care for the people on your list and people as a whole. You have such a kind heart. You have always been so helpful and kind to me whenever I asked a question or needed something. Your thoughts were sincerely appreciated when we lost our daughter. If you don’t mind, I would like to ask your readers to please pray for us today, as we are expecting a new granddaughter tomorrow. Doctors have told us she has a major heart defect, a 3 chambered heart instead of a normal 4 chambered one. Once she is born, she is going to need major heart surgery. We sincerely appreciate all the prayers.
Prayers going your way Sam!
Well Tiff, I started looking at IM stuff back in September 2010 and you were one of the first people that I subscribed to (through Squidoo stuff) and you and one other are the only two from that time that I am still subscribed to, and a lot have come and gone in the ensuing months. So don’t feel bad about one unsubscribe. You do worry because you give such excellent service!
thank you Janet!!
Hi Tiff
I know exactly how you feel and yet I also understand that peoples priorities change. In a particular Dog niche I am in when people unsubscribe they nearly always tell me that their dog has died or that they are no longer going to get my particular breed. I am fine with that.
I often wonder in the IM niche if it is different?? I have been on your list since 2008 and I don’t read all your emails. Some I open straight away. I know that you always give great content and actually reply to emails as well [ be bonus point]
I agree with you build the relationship first.
lol
Denise
Thanks Denise
Yes the reasons you get for unsubs wouldn’t affect me personally. I don’t know why I take it so hard when someone leaves! LOL
Tiffany-
First of all, thank you. I just have the sneaking suspicion I’m going to learn a lot from your list building reports.
You are the type of person that realizes that there is a living, breathing person on the other end of that email you send out. You are a rare bird and it’s appreciated immensely.
I’m looking forward with baited breath to your next installment!
Take care!
Cindi
Just posted it and will email out later about it
Thanks, Cindi for the kind words 