Are We Dating or Married?

You've convinced me that I want to sign up for your
newsletter. Now that I'm ready, what do I do? I go to the
signup box on the current web page and complete the form.
But wait... what are you asking for? If you're asking for
more than my name and email address, I will hesitate.

After all, if you're going to send me an email newsletter,
why do you even need my name, much less my street address,
city, state, zip, telephone number, number of people in my
household, etc. My email address should be enough. Now I'll
give you my name, because I understand that you'll want to
personalize my email messages. But unless you show me very
good reasons, I'll forget about signing up and go on to
another site that doesn't want a lot of information in
exchange for their complimentary report or newsletter.

It's like dating. When you first meet you get only the
necessary information - name and phone number. As you agree
to date, you'll get the address. Later, as you get to know
one another better, you'll start to add more details.

Moving a visitor from lead to customer involves a courting
process. You want them to get to know you. They need to
learn to trust you. You need to establish a relationship.
That's the purpose of your newsletter. You offer them good
information and in return they give you the right to market
to them. As they become more interested and more loyal,
they'll move from just a lead to a steady prospect.
Eventually you'll "marry" some of your prospects and they'll
become customers.

So what's your courting pattern? How do you get to know your
prospects? When do you ask for more information -- more
commitment?

For more information on the online sales process sign up for
the complimentary mini course at
http://www.SalesSiteQuickStart.com.

Dr. Jeanette Cates is The Technology Tamer and Internet
strategist for small business. She is the author of Online
Success Tactics: 101 ways to build your small business at
http://www.OnlineSuccessTactics.com.

Why Arent You Writing Ezine Articles?

I'm amazed!Everywhere I go on the Web, people are desperately... Read More

Email Newsletter Format: HTML or Text

An email newsletter is probably the most effective way to... Read More

Who Should Offer an Ezine?

If you are a professional, consultant, coach, speaker, seminar leader,... Read More

Are Your E-Mails Bouncing? Hard Bounces, Soft Bounces, and Everything in Between

Are you doing "the bounce"? No, it's not a new... Read More

Email Newsletter Software

Should I create my newsletter in a word processor or... Read More

Does Your Ezine Publisher Try To Rape Your Pocket?

If you have been online for a while, one of... Read More

10 Tips On Offering A Free Ecourse

1. Make your ecourse short like 5 - 7 days.... Read More

The End of Email, Ezines and Online Marketing?

Ok, it's time to bring out my soapbox.Something has been... Read More

PublishAmerica - Publishing Parasites

I have to admit to being readily impressed by company... Read More

3 Things You Need to Do to Turn Net Information into Cash

Although we are in the information age, very few people... Read More

Newsletter Software

Newsletter SoftwareWhat types of newsletter software can I use to... Read More

Subscriber Incentives: Are They Effective?

Peter Boulder of Pepper and Rodgers Group tells a story... Read More

Your E-zine 13 - A Formatting Checklist

While sending out a text e-zine may seem like a... Read More

Finding the GOLD with Ezines and Google!

HiHow'd you go with your product search?Here's another way to... Read More

How To Make Money Online With A Newsletter

Many online internet marketers tell us "its all in the... Read More

11 Quick (and Good) E-zine Content Ideas

Publishing an e-zine is the ideal opportunity to showcase your... Read More

The Nitty-Gritty Of Ezine Publishing

I sat here this morning, and decided to work out... Read More

Getting Subscribers For Your Newsletter Is As Simple As This...

Having a newsletter is one thing but how many subscribers... Read More

Newsletter Names - Creative Ideas for Newsletter Titles

Your newsletter name has a big effect on your readership,... Read More

E-zine Promotion: 10 Smart Reasons To Charge A Fee For Your E-zine

You publish an e-zine, you may consider to start charging... Read More

6 Ways to Catch More Opt-ins Than Ever Before

Remember that when you have new visitors at your website,... Read More

Section Ideas to Include in Your Newsletter Design

A good newsletter template is not only consisted of a... Read More

10 Valuable Tips For Ezine Publishers

1. Write your own articles.Your articles will give you an... Read More

American OverDrive - LCDs in LDCs

OverDrive - an e-commerce, software conversion and e-publishing applications leader... Read More

Are We Dating or Married?

You've convinced me that I want to sign up for... Read More