How to Build a List From Scratch In 5 Steps: Step #4

Welcome to Step #4!

OK! If you've been following along so far and taking action, you'll have:

You will need an autoresponder for this.

There are many popular autoresponder companies such as ConvertKit, Aweber, GetResponse, MailChimp and on and on.

I use ConvertKit. I'll tell you why further down.

Once again, it doesn't matter which one you use - what matters is that it works for you.

3 things to note:

1. Avoid using self-hosted autoresponders. Seriously.

2. Some autoresponder companies don't allow affiliate links in their emails. Check before signing up.

3. If you don't have an autoresponder, ONLY sign up for one once your freemium and sales pages are done.

I've tried AWeber and didn't like it.

I was with GetResponse for years, but their deliverability is hit or miss. Over and above that, many of my customers' emails were blacklisted by them.

Hell! Even my own email is blacklisted.

However, what really made me choose ConvertKit was it's double opt in feature.

With ConvertKit’s double opt-in feature, the subscriber will NOT need to click on a confirmation email (if you don’t want them to).

In fact, the very first email that’s sent out upon subscribing can contain the download link for the freemium you’re offering.

Once the subscriber clicks on the download link, ConvertKit will register that action as a double opt-in. Isn’t that fantastic?

You bet it is!

If you don't understand what I'm talking about, watch the video below at the 3:50 mark...

If you're using ConvertKit, the video above will show you how to create a form and add it to your opt in page.

If you're using another autoresponder company, you'll need to watch their tutorials or YouTube videos to figure it out.

The good news is that since your thank you page is done, you already have a URL to add into your opt in form.

Go create your form and add it to your opt in page now!

Once someone subscribes to your list, they'll need to go through an email sequence to warm them up.

I like the term, 'warming up'.

Some marketers call this a 'nurture sequence'. I think that's weird. You're a marketer getting to know a subscriber, not breastfeeding them.

Let's just stick to 'warming up'.

So how many emails do you need in your sequence?

I'd recommend 5... each to go out daily.

Once the subscriber goes through the 5-day sequence, you should move them into a general broadcast list.

This can be done with automation. I'll show you an example...

The image above will show you the automation I used for a PLR launch.

Everyone who bought my ClickBank PLR reviews were automatically added to my '2021 CB Reviews Buyers' list.

Imaginative name, I know... but I like keeping things simple.

The moment they're added to this list, they'll receive an email thanking them for their purchase... and there will also be a link to my free 5-day PLR training.

That's my way of warming them up.

After 5 days (see image above)... they'll be automatically moved into my main buyers list where they will receive broadcast emails from me... 

Whenever I'm in the mood to send an email.

Many marketers believe in using templates to speed things up. Many marketers are quickly forgotten too.

I'm not going to give you any email templates to follow. No no.

If I did that, all of you reading this will blindly copy and paste the emails and become carbon copies of each other.

The last thing I want is this training to create a bunch of Arun clones. One of me is more than enough.

I'll tell you what needs to go into each email...

And you'll write these emails in your own words with your own style and stories.

In this way, your emails will have personality and be memorable.

Let's start writing...

This is the email that goes out IMMEDIATELY when the visitor signs up.

Subject line: Your [insert name of free crap freebie] is here (download now)
E.g. Your '5 Traffic Tips Book' is here (download now)

Content:
- Thank the subscriber for joining your list.

- Provide link for them to download their freebie.

- Tell them you'll check in on them tomorrow with more free tips.

- Include a link in your P.S. which points them back to the product you're selling/promoting.

(It's the same product that was on your thank you page.)

Take note:

Keep this email short! The subscriber is new and you don't want to scare them off.

Make sure the link to download their freebie is VISIBLE and above the fold.

Remember to include your link in the P.S!

This is the email that goes out on Day #1 (the next day.)

Subject line: Did You Check Out [Insert Freebie Name] Yet?

Content:
- Remind them that they signed up for the freebie.

- Provide download link. Ask the subscriber to download it, if they haven't done so already.

- Tell them a bit about yourself and your struggles. Keep it short. This is not the time for a soliloquy.

- Have a link to an 'About Me' page on your blog for them to learn more about what you do.

- Tell the subscriber what you'll be sharing/teaching them over the next couple of days.

- Include a link in your P.S. which points them back to the product you're selling/promoting.
(It's the same product that was on your thank you page.)

Take note:

Make this email interesting. You have to stand above the noise.

When you tell them about yourself and your struggles - the struggles you face should be similar to the ones they face. The subscriber must identify with you.

Or at the very least, you must seem like someone genuine enough to trust.

Your promise to teach them more should hint at addressing their current problems. People will stay on if they think you can help them further.

Subject line: My Best Tip for [problem you overcame]

Content:
- Share a story about a problem you faced (in the niche)

E.g. If you're promoting a video marketing course, you may have been too shy to get on camera.
Or maybe you didn't know how to do a screen recording.
Or maybe you couldn't rank your videos.

Highlight the problem... then agitate the situation and say why it held you back - and share a tip on how you overcome the problem.

Ask the subscriber to try it out and see how well it works for them.

If you have a blog post, video, etc. showing more details, share the link here.

- Close your email... and in the P.S. - link to a DIFFERENT product you're promoting/selling. Make sure it's related to what your struggle was about.

E.g. To learn how I made $562.33 from videos without ever appearing on camera, click here. (The click here link goes to the product you're selling/promoting.)

Take note:

We're promoting a new/different product now because the earlier product was exposed to the subscriber 3X already.

In the thank you page, Day 0 email and the Day 1 email.

If they still didn't buy it, they can't give a roasted rat's rectum about it. You might as well show them a different product.

Subject line: Need to [achieve an outcome]?
E.g. Need to increase your affiliate sales?

Content: You asked a question in your headline...

Now you need to answer it. The question you ask must once again be a common problem people in the niche face.

If we used the earlier example about video marketing, these are some of the questions/problems your subscribers may have...

* How do I create attention-grabbing thumbnails?

* How do I use VidIQ?

* How can I SEO my videos better for higher rankings?

* Should I buy views and likes?

* How do I use tags?

See... there's a ton of questions if you'll only look.

You only need to answer one and answer it well in this email. That's how you look trustworthy and become an authority in your niche.

- Close your email... and in the P.S. link to the same product that you were promoting/selling in Day #3.

Let them know that if they liked the tip you just shared, they'll learn much more in the full training.

E.g. To discover more cool video marketing tips, click here. (The click here link goes to the product you're selling/promoting.)

Take note:

We're already on Day 4. If they're still around and opening your emails, that means they like your content.

Deliver value and you'll keep your subscribers hooked.

Subject line: Have you seen [product name]?

Content: This will be a promotional email. Sometimes you just gotta sell a bit more aggressively.

Mention the product and its benefits. Show the subscriber how it helped you... and more IMPORTANTLY, tell them how it will help them.

If it's an affiliate product and you have a bonus, mention it.

Close your email... and thank the subscriber for being on your list.

In the P.S. - link to a full product review on your blog or video channel.

E.g. To get a sneak peek at what [product name] is about, click here. (The click here link goes to your review post/video.)

Take note:

This is the last email in the 5-day sequence. After this email, the subscriber will be moved to a broadcast list.

Then it's just a matter of finding a balance between promotional emails and value-driven ones.

Good news! Once you've finished writing your 5 emails and queued them up to go out daily, most of the heavy lifting is done.

A few pointers to note:

If everything is smooth and perfect, you're ready for the 5th and FINAL step!

- You've created a freebie.
- You've created a landing page.
- You've added a headline.
- You've added a privacy policy page.
- You've created a thank you page.
- You've added an opt in form to your thank you page.
- You've created a 5-day email sequence and automation.

Well done! You're coming along just fine.

Ahem...Unless you haven't done anything yet.

Listen... this is not a Netflix show where you binge watch all episodes at one go.

If you're just interested in consuming content but not doing anything, you'll NEVER build a list or get sales.

You must learn by doing. Pep talk over.

I'll see you in the fifth and final step where we look at driving free traffic to your landing page.

Let's go!!!

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