Below is a description of this strategy followed by steps to go about doing this:
With sales, it’s all about strength in numbers. The same can be said for amassing subscribers. The more subscribers you have, the more of a chance you have to sell. Because these are people who opted in to receive communication from you, they are a solid target market.
If you want to grow your newsletter, then the best and easiest way is to go viral. Giving away free information included in reports, newsletters and eBooks is a great way to grow your opt-in list and drive traffic to your fresh, ready-for-action Flash website.
Here's an example. Let's say you want to build an opt-in list related to home remedy products; cures for the common cold, cough, bouts with insomnia, etc.
Offer your visitors a free eBook with the top 10 ways you can beat the common cold. Include a link in a visible location on each page that returns the reader to a page to sign up or to share with friends. Here's an example of the type of copy you might want to include on a banner ad:
“Tired of medicines that claim to beat the common cold? Try these home remedies and receive free tips weekly on other cures.”
Subscribe now here: http://www.yourwebsitehere.com
Offer your subscribers any free materials first. Give them the feeling that they belong to an exclusive group. Make it easy for them to share with friends.
7 easy steps to kick-start your subscriber growth:
1. Go to Google and conduct a search of newsletters that are similar in nature to your niche. This will take some time but is imperative to your research.
2. Go to the top 50 sites that were returned and do a quick review to see if they are sites that may want to include your free eBook. If so, note the owner's contact info and all other details.
3. Subscribe to every newsletter. More on this in a moment. If you do not want to get spammed with all these newsletters, create a free email account specifically for them.
4. Create a template that you will use as a way to personalize a letter to each website owner/administrator.
Here’s an example of an email you would send:
Dear [Website Owner/Editor],
I subscribe to your (name of newsletter) and am a big fan.
I greatly enjoy it and thought I would take this opportunity to offer your subscribers a free gift.
Over the past few months I have been working hard to create an eBook about home remedies that I am certain your subscribers would enjoy. Please check it out when you get a chance. It is available for download here:
URL to ebook: http://www.freeebook.com
If you see it is a good fit and something that your subscribers would benefit from, please feel free to make it available to them.
Thanks (Name) for your time. Please feel free to email me with your thoughts after you review it.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Email Address]
Customize the email.
5. Before you let fly with the emails, create some small banner ads that these newsletter/ezine publishers can use on their site to encourage downloads. The easier you make it for them, the greater chance of success and the more viral your campaign will be. These ads should exist in all places associated with your ebook on your site and in your email signature.
6. Remember when you subscribed to all those newsletters a few steps back? There was a reason for it. You do not want to be perceived as spamming. By signing up for a newsletter, you have established a relationship with the website owner.
7. Create a catchy email title such as: “A suggestion for your newsletter” and let it loose.
