Small Business Marketing: 10 Ways to Build a Prospect List Worth Its Weight In Gold

Small Business Marketing: 10 Ways to Build a Prospect List Worth Its Weight In Gold

Do you know what your most valuable business asset is?

It's your list. Why?

Because you need to build relationships in order to reap clients. And your list enables you to do that with people who have already expressed an interest in what you have to offer.

So how do you start building your list?

Here are 10 ways to get you started.

1) Publish a free newsletter, ezine or helpful tips on a regular basis. It gives people a reason to subscribe to your list. I recommend you publish at least monthly.

2) Offer a Free Bonus to encourage people to subscribe. It could be a special report, e-book or an e-course. I've offered both special reports and an e-course, with good results.

3) Include a Subscription Box on every page of your web site. You never know what page someone will enter your site. So make sure they know about your list regardless of where they enter.

4) Include a page on your web site with more information on your newsletter or ezine. Just because it's free doesn't mean everyone will sign up for it. You still have to "sell" them on it.

5) Write and publish articles. Make sure to include a resource box at the bottom, complete with an invitation to visit your web site to subscribe to your free newsletter or ezine.

6) Include an invitation to subscribe to your ezine in all your marketing. Someone may not be ready to buy, but they may be interested in learning more about you and maintaining contact.

7) Print an invitation to subscribe on the backside of your business cards. And don't forget to mention your free bonus, too.

8) Teach teleseminars. In addition to making a special product or service offer at the end of the call, also offer attendees the chance to subscribe to your free newsletter or ezine.

9) Use your email signature to promote your newsletter or ezine. Make sure to include your website URL so people know where they can subscribe.

10) Ask your current subscribers to refer their friends. Make sure you have a referral program or a "Tell A Friend" program. Offer a gift to those who refer others to you.

Add some or all of these list-building strategies to your marketing plan and watch your prospect list grow!

Debbie LaChusa created The 10stepmarketing System to make marketing your own business as simple as answering 10 questions. Learn more about this unique, step-by-step system and get a free 10-week Marketing E-Course when you subscribe to the free, weekly 10stepmarketing Ezine at http://www.10stepmarketing.com