Capturing
Lifetime Customers...
Dear
Associate,
The
fastest, easiest, and least expensive way to create long-term
income is to acquire thousands of targeted prospects who buy
from you: FOR LIFE.
Imagine
sending out a direct mail package or an e-mail blast triggering
an avalanche of orders. Picture a sold out conference room
filled with familiar faces anticipating your presence. And
feel the warm tingle running down your spine as you listen
to protégés and mentees making breakthroughs
to success and earning lots more money.
You're
the trusted expert whom they love, respect and champion. You
have been where they are now—and you can help them get
where they want to go. You continue to produce higher-end
products that make you money whether or not you lift a finger.
This
is the magic of building your client list...
But
let's say you own a retail business instead. Building a client
list is critical in keeping your customers coming back, buying
more often, and purchasing larger orders. You assume more
risk waiting for walk-in shoppers only. And I hope you're
not thinking about hiring sign-twirlers. That would air on
the side of desperation, and cheapens your products.
So
if you build your client list, create special offers, and
provide incentives to bring in new customers—you will
increase revenue, remain solvent through down times, and outperform
your competitors establishing your store as the number one
retailer in your area.
Now
let's roll up our sleeves to plan out how to do this:
1)
Website giveaway or online subscription. This is by far
the least expensive to implement. You offer a complimentary
white paper, a problem-solving report, or an online course
where they opt-in their name and e-mail address. They receive
the gift and you've captured their contact information.
This
can be accomplished with a pop-up box on your home page, an
actual squeeze page separate from your website, and e-book
promotions pointing back to your site. Other opt-in options
could be flyer insertions with your orders, card-deck promotions,
online surveys or exams, and through your signature file.
Just about anything you send out should point back to your
client-capturing device. Even if you're promoting through
radio interviews, infomercials, and advertorials—always
direct them back to you.
2)
Host a no-cost teleseminar. A lot of Internet marketers
are building massive lists through teleseminars. They usually
interview an expert guest during the hour-long call. But to
hear the call, you must register online with your name and
e-mail address to receive the call-in details.
And
of course these new leads receive more offers in the weeks
and months ahead. If you have direct response strategies in
place—this can become a cash cow.
3)
Promote through seminars. If you are good at speaking
and presenting, you're throwing money away if you don't capture
contact information from your audience. The best way to do
this is by passing out a form.
On
the form, write one or two short paragraphs about your special
offer. Is this a subscription for an e-zine, a drawing for
free prizes, a survey, or attendee comments? Request their
name, daytime phone, address, and e-mail. Even the hesitant
ones will fill it out when they see others scribbling away.
4)
Send a bounce back card. You can send out a business reply
post card with a special offer. They reply by dropping it
in the mail. It's cost-effective if you've tested your mailing
list on a small scale before a massive rollout.
You
can rent lists through list brokers or look up certain demographics
and psychographics in the Standard Rate and Data Service.
The SRDS can be found in the larger libraries or you can subscribe
through their website.
5)
Joint Venture partners. This is another lucrative moneymaker.
It leverages the power of your business partner's endorsement.
Your
JV partner has spent time and money building her list. Her
subscribers like, trust, and have done business her. You get
to tap into that powerful bond.
When
starting out—be generous to your partner. It's great
business sense. She's taking a chance on you. And if this
works out, you can negotiate better terms in the next promotion.
It's
best to have your whole promotion mapped out for your JV partner.
All she has to do is send out an e-mail blast to her list.
And this can work vice-versa because she may want to offer
her products to your list.
6)
Contests or subscriptions. Drop your business card in
the jar to enter a drawing. Register to win a car or a cruise.
Get weekly advice for hair care with specials for shampoo
or gel. Or claim and redeem an instant coupon that expires
on a given date.
Retailers
don't do this enough. They're not creating customer addiction
by giving their clients more reasons to return to their store.
When customers visit your store eight times this month instead
of four, it will begin feeling like a routine. And do you
know how hard it is to break a routine?
7)
Article submissions. If you write articles for niche markets,
you can post them on online article directories. Even better
if you include them in print publications. There's a signature
section with a short bio and a link back to your website,
squeeze page, or product page.
More
than just a good read articles can position you as an expert
in your field. They allow readers to decide if you really
know your stuff. And if you do, they will stay with you and
see what else you have to offer.
Please
remember...
When
building your list, it's best to stay in touch at least twice
a month. Any less than that and you're barely in their consciousness.
Your message is jockeying against thousands of other messages
for their attention. Offer unique, valuable, problem-solving
information and you'll capture customers for life.
Warm
Regards,
Want
to include this article in your newsletter? You can if you
include this blurb:
Tommy Yan helps business owners and entrepreneurs make more
money through direct response marketing. He publishes Tommy's
Tease weekly e-zine to inspire people to succeed in business
and personal growth. Get your free subscription today at www.TommyYan.com. |
