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Why I Don’t Use Email Marketing - Yet
By selfemployedblog | October 8, 2007
I used to have a newsletter sign-up on this site as well as my other sites. I actually got a few subscribers too. When I first started reading information on internet marketing, the one thing that was constantly said (besides content is king) was “money is in the list.” Now, this is true for those who have mastered it, but for me, it’s just not the right time.
People have enough junk in their inbox
It takes a lot of work to create content for blogs and it takes time to put together a decent newsletter. Email marketing can be effective if you know how to use it. An effective newsletter can provide information that isn’t posted on your blog while at the same time, marketing products in which you can make commission. This is awesome if you have the time and new information to provide. As for myself, I’m already busy with my sites to also devote time to a newsletter. Sending out a junk newsletter will only cause users to unsubscribe.
What about auto-responders?
Auto-responders are great and you can see them in action by signing up to almost any internet marketer’s newsletter. You will get emails every so often and most of the time, they are marketing a some type of info product. There was one point when I was subscribed to various internet marketer newsletters. I quickly discovered they were very often marketing the same products as well as each other’s. I have read that the main reason behind auto-responders is that it typically takes at least 7 times after contacting a subscriber before they decide to purchase.
You can use auto-responders to save time by filling it with newsletters to go out as scheduled (weekly, monthly, etc.) It would be just a matter of sitting down and creating the content at one time, scheduling them, and they send on auto-pilot.
Building relationships with readers
A newsletter is often used to build a relationship with readers (customers.) If you don’t publish a blog and have a static site, a newsletter is a good idea for updating users with current events in your business. However, for myself (since I maintain blogs), there isn’t information I can share in a newsletter that a reader can’t find on my current blog posts. Since Feedburner offers email subscriptions, it is a good option for users who do not use RSS or feel like checking blogs daily for new posts. They get the same information in an email which is more convenient for some people.
Summing things up
Once I become more experienced, I may turn to newsletters to make those extra sales. It takes time to build customer relationships. If I were selling a product of my own, I think for sure I would run a newsletter. For now, I have more fun blogging when I want and providing the option for readers to subscribe via email.
Topics: Marketing |
October 9th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
My e-mail is bombed with mails. I usually delete the ones that has little creditability so I know what you mean.
October 9th, 2007 at 9:14 pm
David - I used to be subscribed to several newsletters but some were just the same thing over and over. Providing no value but wanting you to click their links. I know that is how it works but I’m subscribed to some that are actually helpful too.
October 17th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
I hate Email Marketing! It’s so aggressive.
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