Internet Survival Tactics

- articles written for the Huddersfield Eye Magazine

Jackie Hole is one of the North’s leading Digital Marketing experts, and Qualified Google Advertising Professional.

Each month Jackie will be letting you into some internet secrets that can drastically improve your readership, membership and online visibility exclusively for the Huddersfield Eye and Barnsley eye Magazines.

Part 3: Using email to increase traffic and boost sales

Last month we looked at how your website message can make all the difference. This month we look at using opt in email to increase traffic and boost sales.

Sending messages and information to people who have given you permission to contact them is a great way to build the kind of relationships that will encourage a steady flow of traffic to your website... and greatly increase your online sales!

Isn’t that Spam?

No! Opt-in email is the opposite of 'Spam' email, because people voluntarily sign-up to receive your information, they are 'opting-in' to your mailing list. Because they have requested information from you, your messages are not considered to be junk mail, spam, or unsolicited email.

How do you get people to sign up?

Well In short – give them free stuff!! By giving away information of value, you encourage your visitors to come back to your site again and again – If people are getting something in return they are more likely to give you their email address, and if have an email address you can continue to give information of value and build life long customer relationships at the click of a button.

I dont have any information of value!

Everyone and everything has information of value! Many business have been started simply because someone had an idea based on a problem they experienced or could see others experiencing.

If you have a product, you can explain how to use it, look after it, compare it to others. If you have a service, you have expertise that people will pay for, and everyone likes free help!

Best 'free stuff' to give away include

• Free documents
• Reports
• Ezines
• Newsletters
• Prizes
• Special offers
• Hints, Tips and Tricks
• How to's

Once you determine the kind of information you want to provide in order to build your opt in list you are going to have, you need to find some software to automate it.

Why? Because one of the secrets to running a successful online business is to automate as much of the routine work as you can!

How do I automate my mailing list?

You can go with a managed online service or do it yourself. These days, software is affordable and easy to use. If you want to do it yourself, I have found that these email marketing packages are simple to use and cheap - but they also have limitations, after all you do get what you pay for.

I'm not going to try and tell you that building an opt-in list doesn't require a whole lot of work. It does! But it is an important step in building a successful, long-term business. By building an opt-in list, you are building the future of your business. People have invited you to send them information. They have invited you into their homes or offices! Your messages are a constant reminder for people to come back to your website and visit again and again.

Next month

The rise of the Social Network - coming soon!

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