There is always lots of talk about your "list" in online marketing: How big is your list? Is your list responsive? Do I have enough on my list to offer a membership program to?
Let's face it - our list of prospects, leads, clients and customers IS very important to the success of our online businesses.
However, you don't have to get discouraged if you don't have a list, or your list isn't "big enough" (that definition changes all the time!). You can piggy-back onto other people's lists!
That's the beauty of the internet and also the more cooperative and less competitive nature of doing business today (well, for some people anyways...). There are lots of people already reaching your target market or niche or ideal client - whatever you wish to call them.
Spend some time doing online research to find out where your target market hangs out. What are their favourite ezines? What websites do they visit regularly? What magazines or newsletters are the most popular with them? Narrow down the findings to a handful of the top ezines and websites that your target audience is spending time with.
Take a look at these choices and identify any possibilities for you to piggy-back:
- Do they accept articles? If so, write a great one, submit it and make sure you have a powerful author resource box linking back to your website.
- Do they have a Resources page where you could list your website? Or maybe on their blogroll? Offer to put their information on your Resource page if you have one.
- Do they conduct reviews of products, services or books? If so, ask if you can submit something of your own and have a link back to your site.
- Do they sell other people's products? If yes, see if they would sell your product/book in exchange for a commission (or affiliate fee if you have an affiliate program set up).
- Would they like to exchange recommendations with you, for each other's websites, services or products? You could write a small blurb for inclusion in their ezine and vice-versa.
- Do they accept paid advertisements such as text and banner ads?
- Do they have a blog and need a guest blogger?
- Are they launching a new product or service that you could provide a free bonus to? Make sure that you have all your contact information and links back to your website/blog included.
- Do they need guests to interview, or to speak, on their teleseminars? They will market the teleseminar and your contact information and links will be included in the materials. You can also give your website address during the call.
As you can see, there are lots of ways you can piggy-back onto someone else's list. Just make sure that you always provide a link back to your website where you want to encourage them to sign up for your free special report or free ezine. In this way, you add their name to YOUR list and you can start building from there!
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Jody Gabourie, The Small Business Marketing Coach, teaches small business owners and entrepreneurs how to take action with their marketing in order to get more results and more profits. To learn all about her unique "done-for-you" ebooks called Ready Made Marketing Plans� and to sign up for her FREE special report, ezine and articles, visit her site at
http://www.JodyGabourieMarketingCoach.com
