Building Rapport With Your Subscribers Articles | Entrepreneur

By: Richard Butler

One frustration that all internet marketers have is building a list. Some marketers will
pay to buy a list, others will join free giveaways to try and build a list.

The number one mistake a lot of marketers make is they build a big list, and the straight
away they begin to email "offers" and "deals" to the list.

Now look at it from the point of view of the person on the list. They don't know who this
person is but suddenly they get emails from them asking to buy this product or that product
- that would turn anyone off!

Building rapport should be their first goal to win the subscriber. Believe me, it doesn’t
mean that every subscriber is a customer. However if the subscriber gets to know you first,
they will build up trust with you and then perhaps buy from you.

Your list can be a licence to print money - if you tend to it well. Like a flower you need to look
after it.

One of the best ways to build relationships with your subscriber is to strengthen the
rapport between you and your customer.

Here are a few ways to achieve that:

• Keep in touch with your mailing list often.

It is good to email them often but of course be careful on what you send them. Be a friend
to them. Send them tips and strategies that would help them succeed, make sure it’s free.
Then 1 at a time, you can send them offers that will help them and also help you earn
Don’t mail them only when you need to promote a product. Regular contact is key as
you begin to "train" them to expect your emails.

• Ask about their needs and concerns.

Every subscriber has certain needs. You might as well ask them what information they
want to receive from you. There is nothing wrong with asking, it is better than making a
wrong decision in sending emails.

• Send them gifts sometimes.

Like you, your subscriber also wants to get freebies like ebook, audios, videos, graphics or
anything that would be useful for them. Again you can ask them as to what products and
information that they may want to receive for free.

• Be personal.

Do not send a corporate email. They subscribe to communicate with you personally so do
not be too business like when sending emails. As a tip, you can use first person whenever
you end the email so that they may read it as a personal message. Remember all good
autoresponder services allow you to personalise the email with their first name

• Be educational.

As list owner, your subscriber assumes that you are an expert in your field. They view you
as someone knowledgeable and like a teacher. Be credible in every word and phrases you
say. Make sure those words you send them have value.

Do not send emails just because you are scheduled to send emails. Spend time in creating
your emails don't simply rush off an email without thinking about it.

It only takes one silly email to ruin your reputation with your list.

When you impart something of value to your subscribers, they will see you as a teacher
and listen to what you say. This will come in handy when you want them to ‘listen’ to you
and buy whatever you are selling.