The Money is in The List…Right?
Everybody says, “The money is in the list…” Well, that’s not exactly true - it’s not the whole truth anyway.
The biggest obstacle you face when you publish an ezine is the fact that people have gotten used to getting junk (from your competitors) disguised as helpful information.
Many publishers write about every new trend (and the underlying product) because their writing from a mentality of “I gotta get paid” and when you do that, you completely forget about the people you’re writing to and start to concentrate on you and what you want.
That’s a surefire recipe for disaster…
Whenever you write anything for your subscribers, don’t write with the sole intention of getting a check. Getting checks is nice but your business lives or dies based on how many people believe you genuinely want to help them achieve their goals.
Show your readers that you value them enough to part with real, quality information and that you see them as more than just a dollar sign. Otherwise, you’re going to be lumped into a group with all the rest of your competitors with a big sign on your forehead marked “Will Do Anything For Commissions”.
Responsive readers come from a conscious effort to build a solid relationship with them. People connect with other people. Not mindless robots that only want commission checks.
Now don’t get me wrong.
I’d love for you to buy the products I recommend, but I’m not going to force that on you. When I do enough of the right things in your eyes, I will have earned the right to ask you for your money in the form of commission checks from other products and services that I not only recommend, but truly believe in.
The point is…I have to earn that right by giving up good information that is of actual use to you. When you write anything you expect other people to read, the same thing applies to you.
If you’re going to create information full of affiliate links then you’re completely missing the point of what it takes to get people to value what you have to say.
I’ve done that in the past and it is nowhere near as effective. If you want people to eagerly anticipate your next email with every intention of jumping on any products or services you recommend, you have to earn their trust first by giving quality information without asking for anything in return.
Sincerely,
Derrick VanDyke
Comments
28 Responses to “The Money is in The List…Right?”
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Hello Derrick: I s-t-i-l-l don’t have a website up of my own but I haven’t given up working on it — maybe sometime soon hopefully. Just wanted to let you know
though that the advice given in your article to online entrepreneurs, both beginning and experienced, is right on.
Hey Derrick,
I agree…I waited and waited…I left my name and email on all the squeeze pages…I welcomed the autoresponding emails and the newsletters. I did this for at least 30 to 60 days before buying anything.
Your point about building the relationship of trust (along with the list) is true. So true. It’s why I chose ACS. I just started two days ago, and currently in the process of getting things set up (I wrote two articles tonight, ready to submit tomorrow).
So far, I have submitted one help ticket and received a prompt reply. Your step by step intructions are great for this newbie. All the while, my confidence in my decision to go with ACS grows.
Thanks for leading by example. I’m learning the list is important, but the relationship, the trust factor is much more important…and sustainable for a long term, profitable online business.
You’ll hear more from me in the next 30 days…and beyond!
Eric Walker
Derrick,
You make a great point. If we focus on
providing great information that people can
use we’ll be taken care of. That gift will
come back to us so many times over. From some
of the products and old information I’ve seen
floating around lately it is clear than many have
lost their way. Great post.
Derrick,
I agree with you entirely. Because of this, when my site http://www.happyrichesclub.com is officially launched, I am seriously recommending you to be my internet marketing guru for people to follow up on.
Happy Riches
that’s good artical…i aggreed with you
I agree with you. The relationship has to be built first. If I get emails with links and I don’t know who they are I delete. I haven’t started yet because I am in the research mode. I am learning alot. I do plan to launch a site in the next couple of months. Thanks for your good information.
I am sick of people trying to sell me that if I sense it, I’m gone in a flash. Not to mention I have probably seen the product at least a dozen times. Head the words above people!
WOW! were you in class with me today? LOL, you are so right you need friends more then anything. You can not push things on any body, it will make them run to the hills faster then anything. But there are a lot of people that are gullible, and just want people to be honest with them and want to believe in what they are selling and buy everything.
I agree..showing high value that will benefit your subscriber and helping them achieve their objective is a win-win deal..it’s old to see so many affiliates promoting the same products just to get a sale..it sucks! they make it so obvious, I just ignore it.
Sir: I do have a 7dollarmall but it is not completed and is not up and running. There are several things that has to be done before it is and I have not been able to get the help I want. I also have a domain but not up and running. Your blog, as I read it, is what I am looking for. Somebody that will help and not always asking for upgrads. I did find one and they always come at a point when I am broke so to speak. I am at present. Yes I want your help I just don’t have the money and that is what I need to do business on the internet. Thanks for listening to me at a bad time. Esten Harned.
Derrick,
Hi, I have been on one of your other lists before and have unsubscribed, but I seem to keep coming back to you..LOL
I really like your recent products and the idea of having my name stamped on them as if I created them.
I pray that you keep yourself very patient, with me at least anyways…I am on a very limited budget and as I would like to indulge myself with what your current offer is, it just isn’t feasible for me right now.
However, I wold love to remain on your list and read your blogs.
Taker Easy,
Lori
Thanks so much, Derrick! Some days I’m bombarded with offer after offer and no real content, just a repeat of the products of the day before…
It’s refreshing to open a message and be greeted, then given powerful tips and treasures to help me grow my business. After less than a year in the internet marketing field, I’ve found you to be one of the content providers and I look forward to what you’ll come up with next!
Derrick,
Most people are just trying to get your money, but I have never seen anyone that was willing to help someone like me to get started in making a living on the internet. I have a long ways to go and I am overwhelm at the process.
I agree with you
Thank you Derrick,
I really appreciated the following statement you made:
“If you want people to eagerly anticipate your next email with every intention of jumping on any products or services you recommend, you have to earn their trust first by giving quality information without asking for anything in return.”
I know this for sure because I always look forward to your emails over so many others involved in internet marketing because you actually practice what you preach.
I even saw true, caring, service when I fully understood that now our potential customers can actually sign up for Affiliate Cash Secrets for 7 Days, for no charge, with unlimited access to the superb tools an excellent education for 7 Days, Awesome
By allowing this you have provided another Excellent Service to the customer and to the Affiliate Cash Secrets affiliates.
Thank You
Howard Williams
http://www.AffiliateWealthNews.com
Derrick
That is what it is all about. The customer is always number one and should be treated as such.
Ambrose
Derek: excellent column on a mistake we’ve ALL made! Myself certainly included! relationships built on trust are the best and most important.
Hey Derrick,
All you said makes sense, more sense each time you post,
that’s why I always like to come back here to comment.
I remember when I used to sell kitchens, I was very bad at selling them, the only time I was able to make some kind of a sale was when I could offer something for free and or impress people by showing them how much of an expert I was by giving away valuable free info,
the free valuable info and the free gifts seemed to guarantee me the contact’s information plus ‘’some’’sales, ( you see? offline or online people react the same )….even if it took sometime for people to get back to me some weeks later, the point is, they remembered me because I gave them valuable information and I was able to implant something inside their heads using that information plus the free gifts smoothed over the process, so, if they ever wanted to buy kitchen related stuff they knew where they could find a very helpful expert that just might even have more free stuff to give away or even help them with an offer.
People are people online or off it!
I myself have never made a distinction between online and offline marketing, I have always thought and will always think in a traditional way in the sense that people are real and should be treated as such, if you neglect that they will instantly suspect it, it doesn’t matter how many automated tools you might find to carry out your communications, they will not be able to do the selling for you as so many seem to think these days, you just might have to type a ”hello” and a ”how are you” into your autoresponder now and then to show them you are human lol :-)… one way to do this is to always provide a contact email where they can send you feedback, you would be surprised how many people will want to get back to you and ask you questions, take advantage of that!
Give a little, take a little?…no, I think it’s ” give lots and take less ”, sell as though you were talking face to face with your prospects, after all they are people, not statistics on an autoresponder, give them something of ”real value for free they can apply”,
I have no more than five well known internet marketers that I am happy to receive emails from and the only reason I open their emails is because they send me free reports and loads of valuable information ” that I can apply ”, simple really when you think about it, some people think by giving away their secrets they will receive nothing in return, they are right, they won’t receive anything in return, well, not instantly anyway but what they don’t realize is, that by giving their secrets/information away for free they will have someone out there ”applying it for themselves” and you can guarantee they will be back begging for more if they are making money with that freely given information and this is when ” you ” make your money, and all because you were not afraid to give your ” secrets/information ” away for free.
I think Derrick will kick me out of here .. for my ramblings … lol,
hey Derrick…….rock on mate, you make it all worthwhile!
Ray Patrick
Hi Derrick,
I’m a total newbie and have been “conned” by all those guys out there who want my trust and my money and I have made it a point to check them out and make them prove themselves. Of the few that passed my test you were on the top and I’ve been learning all you have to offer daily. From the “getgo” your approach was honest and direct - this blog post proves it. I appreciate your sincerity. I was ready to give up.
You’ve gained my trust and my business. I only have 2 links on my site(blog) for affiliate sales - your one.
I watch for your promotions. Thanks
TOTALLY AGREE WITH WHAT YOU SAY, AND YES I FOR ONE REALLY NEED TO FOCUS TO GET THIS TOGETHER. I WILL NOT GIVE UP WITH THIS, IT WILL TAKE TIME & HELP FROM A GOOD FRIEND DERRICK. THANK YOU DERRICK FOR BEING THERE. RAY.
Hi, Mr. Derrick
Thanks for your letting me read the above article.
I agree fully with you on that it’s most important for us to convey the real values to others.
Seongwang Oh
http://www.eGlobeMall.com/pips.html
Hi Derrick,
I need your help to start my list from scratch…Ive got about 50-100 names of people who have been to my Cafe….can you recommend any particular step by step process so I can kick this off and get my list up and running…do you know where is the best place on the internet to start to do this..or any particular software programs that can automate this type of thing to startoff…Its one of these type of mundane jobs that has to be done but it might be hard to get it going
Also Derrick I need to start earning on the internet is affiliate cash secrets the one????Thanks aye Dougie777
Hi Derrick,
I pretty need your help to enable me start as required. I have about 70 names on my cafe and I need proper recommendation and step by step approach to get them up. Ive never done this kind of thing before and really need your assistance to train me.
Moreso, I want to start earning on the internet. I badly need your guidance. I beg of you, help me.
Thanks.
Timawus Ishaku
t-ima@live.com
How true! Derrick I completely agree with you. You first have to give before you receive
Well said Derrick. I’ve bought so many reports and downloaded free ones too, that are really only a vehicle for the writers affiliate links. They waste money and time.
Wendy
Thanks for refering to the “Business Basic”. I have been struggling since the day I signed up your programme.
I am still in the learning process to set the website which I have to admit will take sometimes. Frstly, things I hate most is writing and second I have jump the bandwagon without what actually I want to do with the website. Thus after reading your notes, I have some inklings of what I intended to do.
Would it be fine that the website that I intend to setup will be a reselling programme set by you or affiliates recommended by you.
Would those people from the webhosting design a simple web for me for newbie like me?
Thanks a lot.
Rahaman Besah
This is going to be fun!
Derrick, I just got started ‘in earnest’ today. I signed up with for the 30 challenge 30 days ago, and have been laying some ground work in my planned spare time. So far I am behind schedule but I’m still excited about the progress made to this point as any progress is value added to ‘The Plan’. We must ALL have a plan!
I decided to start from the beginning again, and read everything word-for-word and try to really absorb the content this time. And I have to say WOW! Wow…..
I NOW know without a doubt that I’ve made the right decision. You are so on target with this business model The logic and experience you have just makes sense, and I know you have us in your heart of hearts too. The reason I know this is the fact that I have been in the brick and mortar business for 35 years, as an independent contractor, manager, CEO and owner of a company I bought by developing an employee buy out. So I know a little something about teaching and listening too.
You are definately a leader and you have a lot to give. At this point I feel pretty lucky to have stumbled onto your site about three months ago. This is not hype or smoke up your arse either. ‘Business be business’ as they say….and I have a lot to learn about the on line version. IF anyone reading this has doubts about joining this program just trash them and get on board…Derrick is taking us for a great ride and lots of profitable fun will be had!!!!
To our success,
Victor
Derrick,
ACS has really proven to be an excellent decision for me. Your blog posts are a good example of how to deliver useful content that can really help someone make money online.
As a family man and a full time employee, your training and guidance has and continues to help me make the best use of my time online.
Your squeeze page system is awesome and within my first three days of promoting it through heavy article marketing I have 10 new subscribers.
I know that’s nothing to big dawgs like you but it’s only the beginning and I’m excited about the future.
Kudos and Much Respect,
Nando