Online Business Priorities: The Key to Success

June 20, 2009 | Filed Under Work At Home

by Steve Beck

I am an expert in teaching families how to succeed online. Because of my knowledge, I am often asked, “What can I sell on the Internet? What types of businesses have been successful in e-commerce?” I’ve given this a lot of thought, and now I have the answer.

My answer is always the same - you are asking the wrong question. Products come and go. What is hot one year, is forgotten in the next. Your clients will stay with you forever — if you take a few basic steps to ensure their loyalty. Why not start by collecting their name and e-mail address?

That is why your top priority as an online business owner (after you determine what your niche is) is to collect the emails of your visitors. This can be done with a simple email capture form available with any autoresponder service. Then you can use that autoresponder service to send sequential messages to the people on your email list.

For example, if Bob joins your email list (via your email capture form at the top of your home page) on Monday, he will begin receiving an email every 7 days about who you are, what your credentials are, what you are selling, why they should buy from you as opposed to the other guy, and so on. If Sally joins a month later, she will start receiving your messages in the order she needs to receive them.

A month later, Karen also joins your list. While Rick is receiving his fourth e-mail, Karen is receiving her first. Both customers get the same e-mails, in the same sequence, even though they did not join at the same time. Auto responders make this easy by automating the task - you don’t have to spend hours tracking and sending e-mails. Your computer does it all.

Isn’t that amazing? Sequential e-mails can help build your business effectively. Send amazing sales letters, educating your clients and encouraging sales. Advise your valued customers of special offers or promotions, product information, and more.

Sequential e-mails ensure that all your clients get the same information, no matter when they join your e-mail list. Your clients will never again miss a valuable promotion, and you will increase your clientele.

Place an e-mail capture form on your most popular page, usually near the bottom of your homepage. Make a trade with your clients - their first name and e-mail in exchange for something really valuable (for example, I offer mini-courses for marketing online). It doesn’t have to be expensive, just useful for your client. Try offering a downloadable report, article, or a video link in exchange for your clients e-mail address.

By building your list of subscribers, you are developing an online business that will be profitable for years to come. A word of warning - if you neglect building this list, you may find yourself at the mercy of products whose popularity waxes and wanes. Develop your list for success today.

About the Author:

Stephen Beck teaches people how to write an ebook. Get his three free videos at www.8weekstoprofits.com so your family can begin your ebook business now.

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About: Work At Home Resource Center

The Work At Home Resource Center was created to be a free online resource for people looking to start a home based business or just earn extra money by working at home.