Using mailing lists - yes or no?

Discussion in 'Copywriting' started by smileydog, Mar 29, 2008.

  1. #1
    In looking at writer's sites, meaning writer's own sites where we market our stuff, I notice some have email list signups and some don't.

    Curious why anyone would NOT have a list - I use AWeber, and have found clients love being able to hear about new services, new content, etc etc., then they wind up getting in touch with me for more work, not the other way around. But maybe there are reasons not to.

    So, I wondered what folks here do?
     
    smileydog, Mar 29, 2008 IP
  2. jhmattern

    jhmattern Illustrious Member

    Messages:
    8,909
    Likes Received:
    794
    Best Answers:
    2
    Trophy Points:
    455
    #2
    Lists aren't as vital for service providers as they are when trying to push a product. Why? Because you only have a limited number of hours to devote (as opposed to selling a digital product for example, where you can sell an unlimited number of copies). Many writers simply have schedules that are already full - they don't need a list. At the same time, writers aren't necessarily adding new services or making many changes. If you specialize, you're not going to keep branching out too far unless you're seriously struggling to get clients in your specialty (which I doubt is a problem for most professionals). Lists just become another time commitment, and don't have the same value in pushing independent services as they do for other things. Also, keep in mind that many writers have blogs - so they make those kinds of update announcements there publicly instead.

    Personally, I don't use lists to promote my services. I do use them to promote my blogs, e-books, etc. though. They're simply more effective for things like that.
     
    jhmattern, Mar 29, 2008 IP
  3. Perry Rose

    Perry Rose Peon

    Messages:
    3,799
    Likes Received:
    94
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #3
    I don't use an e-mail list sign up because I already have free stuff for them to read anyway. And if they don't buy after all of that, they ain't going to anyway. So I use the valuable space for other things, like a short sales pitch, along with a nice picture.

    In addition, most don't read past the two first e-mails sent to them. Although SOME will read them, the majority won't, and I prefer not to tie up space for something like that, especially when they can read any updated stuff on the site anyway.

    I talked with a few other webmasters, and that was their reasons also.

    It's all about making sure that every inch of your site is used to its fullest capabilities, while at the same time not cluttering it.

    So...
     
    Perry Rose, Mar 30, 2008 IP
  4. wrttnwrd

    wrttnwrd Peon

    Messages:
    34
    Likes Received:
    3
    Best Answers:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    #4
    This is probably all obvious, but an e-mail list works if you're offering information, as opposed to a sales pitch.

    Have the sign up on each page, with a small link to a sample newsletter so folks can see what they're going to get.
     
    wrttnwrd, Apr 5, 2008 IP