Here's an interesting issue that is very worth considering…

As Internet marketers many of us have lists of optin subscribers that we have built.  Some of our lists have been brought in recently while others may have people on them that have been around for quite some time.  I want to talk about the age of those lists and how that comes into play with where, what, when, and why we market to them.

Here is what I do:

First I have some lists that I started LONG ago.  These are lists that have people that cam in 5-6 years ago in some instances.  These subscribers all stick with this lists because I tend to them.  I work at giving them content and continually building the relationship.

That word I just used there is the key to these lists. 

Relationship

The relationship is the key to this list.  I worked hard at the beginning to give and give,  earning trust all along the way.  This is the sort of list that actually reads all of the emails and in many cases even comments on things in this blog. 

Now, the second type of list is a completely different animal.  This one is built on recency of creation and is used in a vastly different way.

Consider a list that was built up during an affiliate driven promotion.  Now consider that list is approximately 20,000 in size.  Most of the people on this list are there because they are looking for a Solution to making money online.

SOLUTION

 Yes, this is a Very different sort of list.  This is the kind of list that one can take in a number of directions.  One option is to play it safe and work with this list the same way you did with the first list.  You will get and build some good relationships here but also know that again, these people are here to see how you can give them a dollar (or $10 to $100,000 of them!) and will likely not stick around if you aren't living up to that expectation.

So, another way you can look at this list is that it is a brand new set of people all looking for you t hand them a super solution.  Why don't you do that.

This list is the sort that will work very well to mail to every single day.  Continue to build an exciting list of offers and put them in front of the list constantly.  This is aggressive but at the same time can work very well as these folks are buyers and will most likely buy all sorts of what you show them.

Now, these are two different ways to work with a list.  One you build and nurture the list and the other you burn through them based on the assumption that either they buy what you show them or they are really no good to you at all.

I'd like to add one further element into this mix to make it even more interesting…

What drew them onto the list initially?

Was it a freebie that pulled them in or was it something that they had to pay for?

FREEBIE or PAID

This is a very important point.  If it was a paid offer you need to treat those people like gold.  They have already pulled out their wallet and invested in what you have to offer.  In short you have already taken the first step with them and are now on your way to much bigger and better things… if you want to.

If it was a free offer or even say you got their info prior to their seeing what the cost is for you site, then you have a very different list.  You have qualified them as being interested in your material but that is it.  You don't yet know what they will pay (If at all) and there is zero relationship in place.  This is the second type of list I mentioned above.  This list you can start sending offers to every day and see what you can get out of them.

I have spent the last 6 months mailing to one list every single day and have pulled in a TON of sales.  That list fits in the 20,000 person size and has out me at the top of a healthy number of affiliate promotions myself.  Now I also have a number of my own lists that I treat very differently (along the first type of list I discussed).  These people require some good thought in what I am going to share.  I take the time to write something thought provoking (like this post!) and I share it with them to keep them happy.

So there my friends are two ways you can work with your mailing lists.  I hope you are able to take these thoughts in and use them in your own work.  Build those lists and then work with them in the best ways possible.

Onward & Upward!

Sam Knoll

Yes, I've been very bad about posting to this blog… but I have been extremely busy!

About two months ago I took on a new project that entailed me overseeing a project for Mike Filsaime.  It started out as a part time piece but has since grown to what I feel can become a significant piece of what I do.  What is it I am working on?

Can't tell you exactly ! 

But I will say that right now I am in the process of doing a major re-working of this project.  As I see it, I want this to account for roughly a quater of what Mike's empire is worth.  That will be no small potatoes!

I will say that I love what I am doing.  There are some fantastic things that we are doing that will make this concept one of the best one can find online.

The group Mike has working for him is a sharp and highly motivated.  There is a lot of talent and drive there and I am thouroughly enjoying being a part of it.  I spent a few days up at his office in Long Island recently and was able to get some good one-on-one time with Mike.  I will say he is a great guy and has an interesting outlook on what he does.  I can also say that having gotten to know him some I do agree wiuth what he is doing with his current focus.  Very smart on a number of levels.

Well, I feel that I have barely hinted about a few things but not given you any meat.  Sorry, but that is where I am at present.  I will keep you posted as it all develops.

Onward & Upward!

Sam Knoll

Damn… I know I've been quiet for a while (Busy, busy, busy doing GREAT things!) but this one deserves some note. 

I just finished reading about this over on the SearchEngineLand.com blog.  Google it seems has decided that they are going to start banning advertisers who are not playing by their rules.  They intend to ban them and keep them from starting up any new accounts as well.

This is a bold move is all I can say.  Made me think about what I'd been promoting and HOW .  I feel pretty safe but I am sure there are a healthy number of advertisers that have been doing some sketchy things to promote a variety of offers that Google does not like.

I urge you to take a quick trip over to SearchEngineLand.com and read all of the rest that they have to say.

Never a dull moment online!

Onward & Upward!

Sam

I wanted to take a small break from the marketing word today and focus some attention in a new, and very important direction.

I think that once you watch the video below you will understand exactly what I am thinking of here.

Great sound, great message… take a few minutes, hit the play button and listen in for a bit:

NICE!

Now take those thoughts with you and move forward the best way you can in your day.

Onward & Upward!

Sam

Wanna see and hear what Tony really has to say?

I've got a treat for you today as you can use the link below to go hear Tony speak for over an hour.

You can hear him speak on topics like:

• How to put "fanatical" customer service to work in your business to truly create WOW! (Zappos.com enjoys 75% repeat business from their customers. This translates to lower marketing costs.)
• How to maintain the culture and feel of a small company (where people actually LOVE to work) even when your growth is taking off like a rocket.
• How to hire Super Stars! And much more…

This is a fantastic interview that I had the privilege of attending live. 

Awesome STUFF is all I can say.  I urge you to click either the link or the video below to watch:

Tony Hsieh Live

I urge you to take the time to go and watch this… it can change how you live and do business!

Onward & Upward!

Sam Knoll