There’s an old saying that states, “If it was easy anybody could do it.” Now, when it comes to starting a business, I do believe that any body can start an online business. But is it as easy as so many so-called gurus make it out to be? For some people, maybe. But what you’ll hear from all the successful entrepreneurs, is that it took some work. In most cases lot of work. If you think you can just set-up a blog or website and sit back while the cash flows in…think again.
Hear’s another saying you’ve probably heard, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”.
This statement leads me to the subject of buying email list. Should you, or not? Will it benefit your online business or not.
When it come to your online business, the meat and potatoes or the heart of your business comes down to the size of your email list. The larger you can grow it, the greater chances of you being sucessful.
Growing your email list takes time…sometimes up to several months. If you’re writing great content it might not take as long…maybe just a couple of months. No matter what, it’s still an ongoing process, that can take years depending on how big you want your list to grow. The sky’s the limits.
The bottom line is you have to put in the work in order to make your email list grow.
But sadly to say, there is an element out there who will tell you that you don’t have to do the work in growing your list…and it’s easy to get caught up in thinking of having an easier route or short-cut to growing your business. The reality of it is, there is no short-cut to growing a viable online business that’s going to thrive for a long time. You have to pay your dues just like many of the successful online business owners. That’s how you learn. That’s how you get better at your craft. Sure you can have a mentor that helps you cut the learning curve, but you still have to go through the process. This is the only way you can add longevity to your success.
This leads me to the question…especially new business owners…
Is Buying Email Lists Wise?
On the surface it might seem like a good idea- if you have the money-since email marketing is the number one way to sell things online today. But if you look closer, you’ll find that buying email list is a bad idea…and for a number of reasons.
One of the first and more obvious reasons is…
Other Writers Could be Using the Same Lists
If you’re buying an email list, don’t think you’re the only one doing it. As a matter of fact, there’s a strong possiblity that you’ll be using the exact list that someone else is using. This can lead to tho same pprosspect getting emeil on top of email for the same subject. The number of annoying emails your reader receives will make them less receptive to the massages you’re sending them.
And let’s not forget the main purpose for email marketing…and that’s…
You’re About Building Relationships
The most important reason to growing your email list is to gain trust from your readers. You gain that trust by forming relationships with them. Think about it. You normally buy from people or companies you know and trust. Not from complete strangers or companies you’ve never heard of before. When it comes to online selling, this is more true than ever, because unlike brand names like Walmart, Amazon and other large-brand names who have established themselves, you have to convince your prospects that you are trustworthy, you have integrity and you can deliver on your promise. This takes time. Time you use in forming that relationship. It’s the only way your readers are going to be comfortable enough to open their wallets to purchase what you have.
Buying email list takes away the bonding process needed to earn that trust.
Make your readers want what you’re selling by taking pride in building and forming relationships with your prospects. Your customers will respect you, look to you as an authority in your niche and most likely become repeat customers.
I want to ask you a question, as I continue this post…
Are You a Spammer?
I ask this question already knowing the answer…which is no. But when you buy an email list, you can come across as a spmmer. Why is that? Because your average web-surfer will check a box of interest here and there or some kind of offer which puts them on an email list. This list ends up getting sold and all the while the person on that list doen’t even know it…as a matter of fact they’ve even forgotten about the box or offer they check awhile back. Then all of a sudden thy’re getting all these unsolicited emails they didn’t sign-up for. And you know what happens to them…the same thing that happens when you receive such mails…they get deleted.
How would you like it if you took the time and did the necessary research on a subject, craft a compelling message that has valuable information that will help your prospect to only have it deleted time and time again?
You’re working hard to buld your business, don’t throw it all away because you wanted to find the easiest route. Short-cuts normally don’t stand the test of time.
Here’s another question you should consider before buying a list. And that’s…
The Quality of the List
Taking the short-cut to growing your list may get you 5 to 10thousand emails but what is the quality of them.
When you do the necssary work that it takes to grow your list, you end up with the kind of emails that are more receptive to buying from you. These are what you cal high-quality emails.
On the other hand, you could end up dealing with dishonest people who’s main motivation is to seperate you from your money.
You could receive emails that…
- Don’t exist anymore
- From people who never choosed to be on an email list
- Random names picked out of nowhere
Some of these issues could subject you to penalties and even fines. Imagine what this could do to your marketing business. Here’s a real serious issue you can face from buying an email list.
Your Account Could be Closed
If you’re in a situation where you’re sending too many spam emails, your email service provider may close you down. Some email service providers state up-front that tey’re against buying email lists because they view them as being spammy. Before you consider buying an email list, I strongly suggest you check with your email service provider. You don’t want to end up in hot water with them. Your email service provider is an extention of your business and what you need to grow your list. It’s a part of your overall operation of your business.
One more important thing you should know. Email service providers can also take legal action against you for sending too many emails that fall as spam. You’re not only putting your reputation on the line, you’re putting theirs. This leads me to this…
Putting Your reputation on the Line
It’s crucial that you maintain a good reputation online.
Unwanted emails can cause complaints along with a large amounts of unsucribe buttons being hit. You want to grow your business. Complaints and bad reviews won’t help you accomplish that.
Again, you want a business that’s going to florish for years to come . Create a good reputation and your readers will stay with you.
To Summaries
Buying email list is a bad idea period. Like any successful business, you have to do the work in order to make it grow. And that means paying your dues by finding out what works and what doesn’t.
If you want a business that will stand the test of time, don’t buy your email list…do the work in order to grow it. You’ll be glad you did it this way in the long-haul.
That’s it for today. In ending, I pray that you keep yourself and your family safe from this pandemic. GOD’s going to get us through it and make us a better nation because of it.
The Affiliate Marketing Blog 