The List Profit System: Step 1 Promote Your List

In our introductory lessons to this series (ending with Thwart the Filters), I briefly identified each of the components of the List Profit System. Beginning with today's lesson, I'm going to give you some specific action steps for each of the six steps of the system.

In this lesson: "P – PROMOTE your list."

Today we're going to talk about opt-in page traffic. In other words, how to get visitors to arrive at your site and come face-to-face with your list. They can't join your list until they know about your list. So, that's our job for now. Get the word out about your list.

While there are approximately as many "traffic generation" tactics as there are grains of sand on any given Florida panhandle beach, I'm going to talk about a very effective way to promote your list:{++++} posting to public forums (AKA "message boards").

Now, on the internet you'll find a wide variety of methods teaching you how to drive traffic to your page, but I want to speak to you about posting to public forums in this lesson for a very specific reason:

It is THE fastest list-building strategy there is, second to none.

Seriously, you can literally begin exposing your list to potential subscribers within 5 minutes. There's no other list-building strategy that I know of – that's under your control – that you can begin doing faster than this.

So, what I want to do is give you ten ways to promote your list by posting messages to public forums.

We're going to divide things up into two parts:

1. Ways to Start A New Topic
2. Ways to Add To An Existing Topic

I'll share five ideas for each of them.

——– Sidebar ——–

As I do anytime I refer to posting messages to public forums, I must advise you to "check the posting guidelines" at any forum you are considering as a place to interact.

Everything I'm going to share is generally regarded as acceptable at any forum I visit, but you need to know what's allowed and what's not allowed before you dive into action. Permissible usage of posting privileges will vary from site to site.

——– Sidebar ——–

How to Use Forums to Get Free Traffic to Your Opt-In Page

Part 1: Ways to Start a New Topic

1. ASK FOR A CRITIQUE. This is one of the more advantageous types of forum posts – if you can stand a bit of criticism. (Sometimes constructive, sometimes not.) The idea is simple: post a message at a forum asking for a critique of your opt-in page. Specifically, you might want to ask for advice on your headline, your copywriting, your bullet points, your free incentive, your design, your privacy statement, your autoresponder sequence, your redirect page, etc.

This type of post is advantageous for a couple of reasons. First, the obvious: you'll get helpful feedback to improve your offer. Second, the perhaps-you-didn't-realize-this-is-why-many-do-it: you get eyeballs locked on your opt-in page.

You can do this at either…

- A popular "niche" forum related to the topic of your opt-in offer. (I.E. A "Gardening" forum) You can get some nice feedback (and new subscribers!) by asking simple exploratory questions like "How do you like the design of the page?", "Does it load fast enough?" "Does it look okay in other browsers?" "Which of these two titles for my free report do you like best?" "What would make you want to join this list?" "Is there anything on this page that would keep you from joining my list?" Etc.

- A popular "marketing" forum. While you will likely get great advice for improving your opt-in page, you'll likely get fewer new subscribers UNLESS your topic has a broad reach. (I.E. "Weight loss") But, don't forget the goal here: to get you more subscribers. There certainly is great reward in posting a critique request to a "marketing" forum – you'll get ideas on improving your opt-in page itself, which will ultimately get more of your visitors to join.

Bottom line: use BOTH types of forums… "Niche" and "marketing".

2. ASK FOR AN OPINION. Active forums are a great way to tap into the experiences and knowledge of others, while gaining free exposure for your own list… specifically, by asking for opinions.

Whether it's…

Asking for ideas on where to find the best product or service
(Does anyone know where to find a cheap hosting company?),

Asking for a viewpoint on whether a particular product or service is useful
(Does the Nutrisystem® program really work?),

Asking for advice on how to achieve some goal or action step
(How can I get these youth ministry resources into the hands of youth pastors?) or

Asking for ideas (What keeps romance alive in a marriage?)

…getting the opinions of others is another great forum post idea.

Of course, you'll want to provide a link to your opt-in page somewhere, preferably in a way that is relevant to the post itself. (I.E. I've written a new report entitled "27 ways to keep romance alive in your marriage" and was wondering if I missed anything. What are some helpful hints that you guys have for keeping the fire burning in a marriage?)

3. ASK FOR PARTNERSHIPS. This one is a bit trickier in that it might send up a commercial red flag. So, make sure you're within the guidelines before posting this kind of message. (Note: Some forums actually have boards specifically for posting partnership requests, so check around.)

The idea is to ask for those who might want to participate in a partnership of some kind with you (joint ventures, list-building exchanges, co-ops, affiliate programs, etc.).

Now, let me just give you a quick example of a simple way to do this (which is almost certainly NOT going to be considered offensive at any forum you post to). That's what I'm going to share with you now and it is simply this: mention that you've written an article (give the specific title and a link to a place where they can review it) and would like to know how you can find people to publish it in their newsletters, on their blogs and at their websites.

What you're in essence doing is this:

- Getting exposure for your article … opt-in page.
You'll mention where your article is located (which will be on an opt-in page. Don't force them to opt-in just to read your referenced article, but make your list available on that page.) And thus will get several views from people who have no interest in or advice on publishing it… but saw the title and wanted to read it.

- Getting advice / contacts for publishing your article.
Several people should respond with ideas on who to contact or where to go for publishing your article. Obviously, you should TAKE THIS ADVICE. The more you can get your article published (with a resource box attached to promote your opt-in page!) the more subscribers you'll gain.

- Getting folks to participate.
If it's a high traffic forum, you should find that several people will volunteer to publish your article (assuming it's a good one!) themselves. Again, you'll have a resource box attached to that article and will ultimately gain new subscribers.

What an easy way to get new subscribers!

4. ASK SCENARIO QUESTIONS. One of my favorite questions of all time is "How would you do it?" It's a scenario based question that I've used to interview others, get content for a variety of uses, encourage forum feedback at my own sites, brainstorm ideas in a mastermind session and generally spark some great discussions.

It works like this: "If you had to [enter scenario here], how would you do it?"

Some examples might include…

If you had to build a list of 1,000 subscribers in 30 days, how would you do it?
If you had to lose 10 pounds in 30 days, how would you do it?
If you had to find a date in 2 weeks, how would you do it?
If you had to write a book in 3 months, how would you do it?
If you had to stop a divorce in the next week, how would you do it?

You want to include two things if possible. First, a highly desirable "scenario" (In marketing, for example, who wouldn't want to add 1,000 new subscribers? In weight loss, who wouldn't want to drop 10 pounds? These are highly desirable.) Secondly, a time frame. (I.E. In 30 days, in 2 weeks, in 3 months).

Now, you begin by answering the question yourself. Write an article on the subject (or, better still, a mini-course or report). Then, create an opt-in page (we'll talk about creating opt-in pages in another lesson in this series) that focuses on your response to the question.

Visit forums and ask the question. Mention that you've already answered the question (build up your answer with a bit of mystery and excitement). Include a link to your opt-in page where your article or mini-course or report on the scenario question is waiting.

Informative discussion. Free traffic. New subscribers.

5. ASK FOR QUESTIONS. Here's another brilliant – yet incredibly simple – way to get free exposure for your list. The idea is this: ask forum visitors to provide you with questions on your topic of expertise that you'll answer in an ongoing series in your autoresponder.

Some examples:

If you could have one question answered about "reaching goals", what would it be?
What's the one question you really want answered about "losing weight"?
What's the single most important thing you'd like to know about "homeschooling"?

Let the forum readers know several things..

- You've already answered 5 of them.
Before you post this, create a 5-day mini-course (nothing more than 5 articles) in which you answer 5 "frequently asked questions" related to the topic you're posting about. This will be your list offer. Load it to your autoresponder and have it ready to go in advance. Note: Get the five "sexiest" questions answered in this series. (I.E. "What's the ONE real key to losing weight?")

- You'll answer all the questions you receive.
Point out that you'll be adding answers to the questions that are posted to the forum in additional lessons of your mini-course.

- You're making all answers available.
Point them towards your opt-in page to join your list for both the existing lessons AND your additional responses to questions received. Note: It's important that you point out the questions you’ve already answered. This will not only eliminate duplicate questions, but it will also create a compelling reason for the readers at the forum to go join your list NOW – because they'll know what's already waiting for them.

You'll get new subscribers who are interested in the questions you've already answered AND you'll get new subscribers who are anticipating the answers to the new questions provided at the forum.

Another tremendous way to get exposure for your list.

So, let's move on to part 2…

Part 2: Ways to Add To An Existing Topic

6. OFFER ASSISTANCE. When someone asks for help or ideas or opinions (or any of the things mentioned in #1-5 above!), then offer YOUR unique experience, knowledge or viewpoint. Sound off. Chip in your "two cents worth". Be active.

The better your response, the better your chance of getting a subscriber. It's that simple. If your input is useful and you provide a link that has a relevant transition from your posted message to your list page, then you're in business. (We'll talk more about that in a moment)

Now, in my experience, there are two kinds of "responses" for assistance that seem to get the best results – primarily because they provide the most useful information. Funny how that happens, huh?

- The Power Of "S".
People want quick bursts of practical information. They want a solution to their problem in 30 seconds or less. Perhaps the best way to offer this is to capitalize on the "power of 's'". Anytime you can include a brief "shortcut" (A quicker way to do something) or a "secret" (A little known way to do something) or a "sidestep" (An easier way to do something), then new opt-ins are on their way.

- In A Word, "Results".
Nothing speaks louder than RESULTS. It's the megaphone of marketing without the annoying ALL CAPS!!!!! distasteful side effects. It screams for attention without scaring people off. It's the one sure way you can attract attention (and new subscribers) without resorting to irritating tactics that do more to ruin credibility than establish it. What people want to know is how you did something they want to do. HOW was it accomplished? When I'm trying to drop a few pounds, I look for someone who has ALREADY LOST WEIGHT and ask them how they did it. I don't care about the theories and ideas and thoughts of those who haven't achieved anything. I look for results and how those results came about. So, let people know, "Here is how I [Some specific, desirable result]…"

The important thing is to lend a helping hand anytime you have something meaningful to share in response to those who are requesting assistance.

——– Sidebar ——–

One quick tidbit that will be invaluable to you is this: save all of your posted "responses" and compile them into a future resource. You can convert them into a mini-course, special report or even a complete product.

If I had a copy of every post Paul Myers has ever made to public forums and then compiled them into a product, I'd have enough information to keep me in business for years.

Hear me well on this: Copy all of your comments, store them into a Word(R) document and use them later to create marketing materials, membership site posts, teleminar calls, search engine fodder, newsletter issues, products and more.

Do this one thing and you'll be thanking me for a long, long time. It's that good. And so are your posts. So treat them like gold. Someday they just might be.

——– Sidebar ——–

Now that we've talked about offering "assistance", let me give you some great ways to do that…

7. OFFER A TUTORIAL OR CHECKLIST. Here's a great way to come to someone's aid while promoting your list. When someone asks a question that's within your area of expertise, put together a quick tutorial or checklist explaining the answer.

For example: Someone might ask, "How can I create my own information product?" You might put together a checklist of 27 action steps (each one VERY brief with a couple of sentences in explanation) to give them something they can work through in easy-to-follow, manageable steps while making certain they don't forget something important.

For example: Someone might ask, "How can I create an ebook?" You could create a short 2-3 minute screen capture video tutorial walking them through the basic steps of using an eBook compiler software program. (Or, you could do a text version with screen capture still photos).

These work for just about ANY niche. Just a few ideas…

A checklist of the top 7 things to do in Yellowstone NP.
A checklist of 10 steps for planning a romantic getaway.
A checklist of 13 weeks of action steps for growing the perfect lawn.
A checklist sharing 21 questions to ask before choosing a new car.
A checklist revealing 17 problems to check on your computer.

Of course, you'll offer this checklist or tutorial right there on your "opt-in page" with an offer for your list as well. (Again, we'll talk more about opt-in pages in an upcoming lesson.)

And, you'll also want to promote your list INSIDE the checklist itself. (If you compile it into a PDF report, then include a page promoting your list. If you simply have a text version available, include a resource link at the bottom to promote your list.)

Great idea: Checklists are the ultimate cross promotion tool. You can mention other helpful resources in your checklist such as blog posts, existing articles, mini-courses, products – even affiliate links. Anything that fits one of the action steps that is genuinely relevant and useful, make a point to share it. You can score big in a variety of ways in addition to gaining new subscribers.

And, you could take it still yet another step further and look for partners to rebrand the checklist to distribute to their own network of contacts. Go viral. Everything points back to your list.

Don't ever forget to multi-task whenever possible. Get as much mileage as you can with everything you do. I rarely do anything business related that I haven't already determined 2-3 extra uses for in advance.

8. OFFER AN ARTICLE. This is one of the most effective ways to see new subscribers from posting to forums.

Over and over and over again I hear the same thing: what topic should I choose in writing an article?

Well, here ya go.

You write about what's being hotly discussed at your favorite forum!

Not only do you have a clear indication that it's something of interest to your targeted audience (they are obviously already talking about it to a substantial enough degree to make it a hot thread at your forum), but you also have a ready-made place to get your article read and responded to that's CURRENT, RELEVANT and DESIRED.

So, you look for hot threads – hot discussions – and you write an article directly addressing the issue being discussed.

If it's a problem being discussed, offer a solution in your article.
If it's a recommended resource being requested, offer a tutorial.
If it's a question being asked, offer a case study with your results.

Spend a half hour to an hour writing an article – you're going to do it anyway, so why not take advantage of extra instant exposure by writing about what's already hot?

The real key to this (in addition to providing quality information in the article itself!) is to title your article so that it appears to be the PERFECT solution or explanation needed for the question being asked at the site. It needs to sound like it was written specifically with the post in mind (which it was!) without saying "Hey, I went to write an article to explain what you're asking."

And when I say "perfect" solution or explanation, I mean tune in to the very words used by the person asking for advice at the forum, the very emotional state of that person and the very experience / knowledge level of that person. (As much as you can tell from their post).

For example: Let's suppose someone posts a question at your favorite forum which reads, "I'm new to homeschooling and I'm confused about which curriculum I should choose. Any suggestions?" What do you know about them?

They're a beginner.
They're confused.
They're trying to make an important decision.
They're looking for curriculum.
They're looking for suggestions.

Based on what you know, entitle your article something that is appropriate for that particular post such as, "3 Simple Helps For Choosing The Best Curriculum".

"Simple" helps with the confusion. As does "3". "Helps" indicates you're both sympathetic to their situation and have a solution available. "Best" is what a beginner wants most…they want to cut through all the junk and get to what's best.

Everything about your article title will be appealing to the person who posted the request for assistance AND will likely strike a chord for all of those who might read the post and find themselves in a similar situation. What's really interesting is this: even those who are "seasoned vets" might very likely click through as well – just to see what your "3 simple helps" are. It's a winner all the way around for you.

Light Bulb Moment (You'll definitely want to read this!): While I'm on the subject, let me give you a key bit of strategic advice: choose your ezine article titles carefully. It should NEVER be about the article. It should ALWAYS be about the person who'll be reading the article. Ask yourself these questions…

Who is she?
What state of mind is she in?
What does she want?

The title of your article – whether it's for use in this particular strategy or any other – is absolutely monumental in getting attention and, ultimately, results. Most people slave over the content and spend 30 seconds choosing a title. It's your headline. Treat it as valuable as the article itself.

Back to the point.

Here's the thing: You're probably going to write articles anyway. Why not write one that already has an audience in place at the moment of greatest opportunity? Makes sense, huh? (I do that sometimes.

You can always use the article in your "normal" ways as well. (I.E. Submit to ezine directories, announcement lists, publishers, etc.)

When you post this article to an opt-in page that ties the article in to your list offer, you are CERTAINLY going to see new subscribers. Assuming your article is good…which I'm assuming it is. Don't make me look bad.

9. OFFER A RESOURCE LIST. Want to know what one of the best uses of 10-15 minutes of your time is? Researching at Google.com and compiling a resource list to offer in response to those asking for suggestions.

Let me give you a classic example. Numerous times over the years I've seen posts to marketing forums where someone will ask "Where can I submit my ezine articles?" And, many people will rush to their aid by posting a list of article directories. That's a resource list.

Every list owner – let me emphasize this again – EVERY list owner should have at least one resource list related to the topic / focus of their list with their own opt-in offer at the top of the recommend resources.

Stop and re-read that last sentence again. Go ahead. I'll wait right here.

Watch this…

Suppose you have a list devoted to "genealogy". Spend 10-15 minutes at Google.com looking for free information sites, blogs, tools, research sites, software, family tree forms, etc. Find around 20 or so of these resources and write a short (2-3 sentences) description of each of them. Place YOUR genealogy list at the TOP of the list of resources (along with a brief description) just like it was one of the others listed.

Now, keep your eyes on the top "genealogy" forums. Whenever someone asks about "where can I find a family tree chart that I can print out", you jump in there and share where they can do it and let them know that you've got a list of 20 great genealogy resources they can grab by clicking on your link at the bottom of the post.

Your genealogy list is at the top of the recommended resources that you've compiled. You've almost certainly got new subscribers. (Heck, you can direct them to your opt-in page to access the resource list!)

Anytime someone requests any kind of recommendation, you share a great resource and point them to 20 more resources you've got posted at your site. Add new resources as you find them (Including any new free reports, mini-courses, blogs, etc. that YOU publish!). Remove outdated resources. Rinse and repeat. Use often for best results.

See how this works?

You can even write an article, "Top 10 Free Genealogy Resources" (you'd want a better title than that with yours at the top of the list and PUBLISH THE ARTICLE at article directories, announcement lists, publishers, etc.! Talk about a tremendous way to drive traffic to your opt-in page! (This ONE nugget of an idea alone could get you hundreds – if not thousands – of new subscribers over the next year.)

Listen to me carefully: NO ONE IS DOING THIS.

I assure you, I'm giving you ideas here that are virtually untapped. If you get started doing these things, you'll have almost no competition. That's going to change. Sooner or later, people become copycats. Sooner or later, they'll read this lesson just like you. And then it will be tougher.

For now, you probably have no one competing against you in this strategy. For now.

10. OFFER AN INFOPAGE. The final thing I want to mention is a compilation of just about everything we've talked about thus far. Develop an "infopage". That simply means, put together a page at your website where you offer an entire arsenal of free resources such as what we've talked about.

Questions you've answered.
Articles you've written.
Tutorials and checklists you've prepared.
Quick tips you've shared.
Resources you've compiled.

Plus, additional resources of yours…

On this page, give your main list the place of most prominence at the site.

And every single material you offer at the site should all work towards getting people to join your list. Put some of it together so that it's available for subscribers only. Force them to opt-in to get your best materials. It's all designed to work towards getting people to join your list.

Then, as you continue to do the things we've talked about in #1-9 above, you begin pointing them towards this "infopage" to access the things you've made available in your forum posts. In time, you'll build an incredible resource site that continually gets a lot of traffic and new subscribers on a daily basis.

What really makes this "infopage" work is if you purchase a separate domain name and host everything at that site. Although my friend Jeff Smith doesn't do EVERYTHING I mentioned here in this lesson, he's got a pretty good example of what works at his site, www.HigherTrustMarketing.com. I encourage you to drop by and check it out. He's a great writer and his articles and blog postings are always very informative.

The important thing is to get busy. Start with one of these ideas. Then, complete another. Then, another. And so forth. I encourage you to spend half an hour every day posting to forums. In time, you can add a few hundred subscribers every month from this simple (and free!) strategy.

And, when you consider the MANY other benefits (establishing yourself as an expert, permanent archiving of your posts, backlinks, quality subscribers, new affiliates and partners, branding, etc.) this is certainly a promotion technique you need to add to your weekly schedule.

In our next lesson we'll explore "R" of the system, "Reward the opt-in."