You Must Build A Customer List

If you run (or plan to run) an online business, it's especially important that you maintain and add to a customer/prospect list. Unlike a store-front business, which can draw on pedestrian traffic, you're only location is cyberspace.

You must constantly let potential customers know you exist. And to remind current customers that you're still in business and have more products and services to help them.

The are couple of powerful reasons for keeping an updated list of your customers' names and email addresses.

Obviously the first is that prospects can be turned into customers.

But here's another important reason: It costs five to ten times as much to acquire a new customer than selling more products to your existing customers.

Think about all advertising costs involved in trying to attract new buyers. It's much easier to sell to people whom already know you.

If you sell a quality product and deliver great customer service, you build customer loyalty and help prevent customers switching to your competitors.

Also take advantage of "cross selling." If customer X bought Product A, make sure they know about Product B, C, etc.

If your customer doesn't purchase your other products, send an email and politely inquire.

When you find out their specific objection to buying, you can then address the problem.

Perhaps you can offer the customer a volume discount, two for one deal, or add an inexpensive gift if they order.

Be creative in ways to overcome customer resistance.

And check through your list often.

When was the last time you were in contact with each of these customers?

You should be keeping in touch with them at least monthly. Even if it's just an email asking how they are enjoying your product or service.

Ask them if they were pleased with the customer service they received from you or how can you serve them better.

One of the most effective ways to keep in contact with your customers is to send them a newsletter. With email, it's easy to create your own electronic newsletter or ezine. (For info on how to start an ezine, visit http://www.epdigest.com)

But make sure your ezine is more than just a sales pitch. People will tire of that quickly.

Instead, offer tips on how to best use your products, include new product information, offer discounts on upgrades, or create a frequently asked questions (FAQ) column.

Your goal is not to be just a company that sells products, your goal is to be the solution provider to your customers' problems.

If you're stumped about what content to include in your newsletter, send out an email to your customers asking what they'd like to read.

TIP: You'll get a much better response if you offer an incentive for them to reply. Offer a free e-book or discount on your other products.

If you're just starting your business, you don't need to purchase an expensive database to store your customer list. Many email programs have versatile address book features where you can store and update your list.

Microsoft Works includes both a database and spreadsheet program that are easy to use and won't blow your budget.

About The Author

Dave Coyne is a marketing consultant and information publisher. Get his FREE Report: "How to Run A Home Based Business And Never Create A Product, Write An Ad, Or Talk To Anyone." Send an email with REF006 in the subject line to dcinfobiz@GetResponse.com

---

Plain Jane Email Equals Flat Results

Years ago, when email was just emerging as the incredible... Read More

Turn Your Old Articles Into Profitable E-mail Courses

If you've written numerous articles, you can use them to... Read More

How to Choose the Autoresponder Right for Your Business?

Let's give a definition to autoresponder first. So, what is... Read More

Confessions Of An Info Junkie

I love the Internet! Information about any topic that piques... Read More

Let The Email Wars Begin

Things just got a lot hotter in the hyper-competitive world... Read More

Email Marketing Tips for Reaching an International Audience

Targeted, cheap, fast, trackable and with more reporting than traditional... Read More

How to Structure Your Follow-Up Sequence for Maximum Profit

Before I do this, let me describe how autoresponders work.... Read More

Ways To Persuade Your Web Site Visitors To Give You Their Email Address

These are several ways that you can use to persuade... Read More

Click for Success!

Being online for the last five or so years has... Read More

EMail Newsletter Marketing Essentials

If Gutenberg were alive today he would be in publishing... Read More

All I Really Needed to Know About List Building I Learned From Stephen King!

I have always been an avid reader of Stephen King's... Read More

Creating Effective Opt-in E-Mail Campaigns

It's been said before, but important to re-emphasize, e-mail is... Read More

How to Build Your List

Your list is your life. If you do not have... Read More

Writing Effective Emails

Sometimes email messages can get quite long, especially when you... Read More

Follow Up Letter for Past Customers - Why and How to Write It

Following up with your past customers is a proven way... Read More

A Cool Email Communication Tip

If I sent you an email that said: "The Big... Read More

How To Create Gold With Email Promotions - Part 2

Don't forget people are so busy now they will only... Read More

What Is An Open Rate

Good thing in emarketing business today is that many people... Read More

7 Wise Ways to Collect Email Addresses and Build Your Mailing List

=> Wise Way #1 - OFFER A FREEBIEYou have to... Read More

Avoiding Blacklisting: Making Sure Your Email Gets Through

We all know that email is probably today's most popular... Read More

10 Tips for Effective Email Sales Letters

1. Write Your Objective - Before you write your sales... Read More

Email Marketing Best Practices

Now that we've explored the importance of sending permission-based email,... Read More

Converting More Free Downloads to Paid Customers

Do you give web site visitors the opportunity to download... Read More

4 Effective Ways To Use Autoresponders To Increase Your Sales

An autoresponder is a very powerful tool for any online... Read More

The Moneys In The List - But How Much?

The internet seems to be full of hyped up business... Read More

Internet Advertising: 20 Magical Ways To Convert Website Visitors to Subscribers

Do you publish an e-zine or newsletter? If you answer... Read More

Building Relationships Takes Time: Overcoming the Overnight Surge Urge

Whenever we talk to a new or a "we hope... Read More

Success Guaranteed With Your Opt In List

Some time ago I was thinking about the best and... Read More

The Innovative Ways To Use Your Autoresponder

If you have auto response system set up for following... Read More

Will Microsoft Kill Free Email on the Net?

Spam has been such a problem that email filters are... Read More

Email Marketing - The End Is Nigh!

Consider if you will the resources, the time and the... Read More

Building The Best Opt In Email List

The #1 Thing You *MUST* Have Before Even Thinking About... Read More

Viral Marketing Tips: Greeting Cards

When we speak about viral marketing, we are not talking... Read More