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How To Make Your Dream List A Reality

Guest post by: Ilise Benun

Article Overview: How much would you be willing to pay for a list of people who need what you have — and know it — and who are so close to being ready to buy that they've already made the effort to contact you? Wouldn't that be worth a lot of money? Or maybe even invaluable? Well, you can have that list, for free. Here's how.

How To Make Your Dream List A Reality

How much would you be willing to pay for a list of people who need what you have — and know it — and who are so close to being ready to buy that they've already made the effort to contact you? Wouldn't that be worth a lot of money? Or maybe even invaluable?

You might call this your Dream List. Or you could call it your In-House List, that is if you really took the time to develop the best list for your business.

The best list for you is the list of people with whom you have already begun the process of building a relationship. Don't underestimate its value for a minute. These people already know you, and may even trust you (at least more than those on the mailing list you're thinking of renting), which means that the amount of time it will take to make the sale is shorter.

There are two parallel strategies for building your In-House list: in the first, you choose your prospects by compiling names from invoices, business cards and little bits of paper and records, attendee lists from networking meetings. The names you want to capture are those of everyone who's ever expressed interest in your work.

At the same time, choose marketing tools that motivate qualified leads to raise their hands and ask you to market to them — tools like publicity and press coverage, offers of free samples, and the newest marketing tool: email newsletters.

Together, these two strategies produce your Dream List — people who either already know you or whom you've selected to get to know you.
Sounds like a lot of work? It's actually not the complex task you may imagine it to be — it just takes some work and some time. In fact, compiling your Dream List is an ongoing process that can be surprisingly economical and made to fit manageably your day-to-day routine. Just keep your eyes open and be organized.
4 SIMPLE WAYS TO GET PROSPECTS TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES
My most effective list — my Dream List — is the one that keeps growing because every day, people call my toll-free number. They call because they've read about this newsletter in a magazine or it was recommended by a colleague. Maybe they've even purchased one of my handbooks, sight unseen.

I have no doubt that these people are my prospects; I know they're interested because they've qualified themselves. They've raised their hand and said "I need what you have. Please tell me more." Whether they know it or not, they've granted me permission to market to them.
Besides traditional publicity, (i.e. getting your name and phone number in the press) here are a few ways you can get your prospects to raise their hands ...

1. Reader Information Cards.
This newsletter was recently listed on the Reader Information insert in Target Marketing. Readers circle the number corresponding to my blurb, then the magazine sends me their labels and I send them information they requested. In some publications, this is paid advertising, in others, it's part of their editorial content. Find out how your customers' trade magazines handle this.

2. Mail or Fax-Back Reply Cards.
Send out a simple, one-page letter to 100 prospects chosen from a trade group's directory of members, and include a form that your prospect can mail or fax back for more information. Those who do are hot leads -- almost as hot as they get. Be sure to follow up with a phone call to all who take the time to respond.

3. Offer something free.
Run an ad or coupon in a local or industry paper that will motivate prospects to call.

4. Simple mailing list form or guest book.
Keep a simple form handy for prospective customers to fill out when they come in, or for you to fill out when they call you.

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Article Tags: amount of time, attendee, business cards, free samples, invoices, little bits, marketing tool, marketing tools, money, networking meetings, parallel strategies, prospects, publicity, relationship, toll free number



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Re: Quote of the Day - "The only people witho - Thanks for sharing this Evan, there are some very powerful quotes in there, I particularly like this one:- You are now at a crossroads. This is your opportunity to make the most important decision you will ever make. Forget your past. Who are you now? Who have you decided you really are now? Don't think about who you have been. Who are you now? Who have you decided to become? Make this decision consciously. Make it carefully. Make it powerfully. regards, Mal.
Re: Create your own small business reality show - That's very true. I know I would work harder. But you're right....people like to see other people fail (sad to say) so I'm sure they'd watch it either way. Reality really keeps people interested. I think it's a way for some people to escape their own crazy lives for a while and/or a way to let them know they aren't the only one having a tough time.
Re: 365 Foolish Mistakes Smart Managers Make - [quote="litekepr":2v18lglp]This morning's Google Alert held a pleasant surprise. WORTH MENTIONING A List of New Books Compiled by The Management and Government Information Center (MAGIC) Chinn Park Regional Library 703-792-4880Summer 2007 Indicates titles relating to the FISH Philosophy 365 Foolish Mistakes Smart Managers Make Every Day: How and Why to Avoid Them by Shri L. Henkel, 2006 interesting. Is anyone else here familiar with the FISH philosphy? i[/quote:2v18lglp] Congrats on the mention of your book! Hopefully it will drive up sales! For myself, I don't really care for their acronym... MAGIC. Gives people the subtle impression that good things happen at the snap of a finger instead of lots of hard work!
Off to get married, Congrats - Hi Evan, I am married over 34 years. So go for the long haul. It's worth it every minute. I hope you will have a 24/7 time away from the Forum. Forget all about it and enjoy each other. Your Dream begins..... Regards Beat
List of a few legitimate online business - Well My main methods to make money so far are adsense,affiliate marketing and freelancing and I think these are some more sites that can help me to make some more money.Your reviews are welcome: ::linkworth dot com>This site is awesome and offer lots of ways to make money. ::mturk dot com>complete simple mini task and get paid ::microworkers dot com>complete simple mini task and get paid ::shorttask dot com>complete simple mini task and get paid ::istockphoto dot com>sell stock photos ::eHow dot com>Make money writing ::Bukisa>Make money writing ::Associate Content>Make money writing ::Triond>Make money writing ::fiverr dot com>$5 freelancing job ::cpalead dot com>make money by completing offer ::peerfly>make money by completing offer


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