SEM Tycoon

**Bookworm-SEO** · 08-28-2006, 11:09 PM

In a short period of time (two months), I've earned over a dozen subscribers to my email newsletters. They go out twice a month (though I may soon switch to feedblitz' daily subs for convenience).
I've found that giving out good, in-depth advice in forums, then politely ending with a suggestion to check your blog/newsletter for more tips gets people joining. It's a lot of work though, because I make an effort to really help. I don't say "Try working on your keyword density. Also, consider subscribing to my blog/newsletter for more advice." (And if I have, it hasn't produced results.)

In particular, I know people are paying attention because they reply to these posts by naming me and thanking me for the help.

Other things to note: I've used this with SitePoint only, so far, for my SEO blog. Also, the forums I've been doing this with are the website reviews. (*watches as dozens of EFers go, reg for sitepoint, and try this tactic out by spamming the reviews forums*... repeats: "you're not going to get anywhere with bs-one-line advice").

My Site Flip blog (see signature for link) has about the same number of subscribers. Except there, its mainly from telling EF people they can promote their website sale (established, turnkey, domain, wtv) through my blog. Sign up, reply to the first issue you get with your website for sale pitch, and watch as it goes into the next issue. Again, this works best if I gain people's trust first by sharing insights on selling sites in the forum post itself.

The point is that I'm providing value to my subscribers, and gaining their trust. In particular, I'm promoting through forums. (And if Andreas Bard could guarantee his posters would offer such helpful, in-depth advice around various forums, I would consider hiring his forumpal posters... you paying attention Andy? I'd need to find a better way to monetize the blog though, before spending on it...)

**Andreas Bard** · 09-01-2006, 06:08 AM

Thats great advice. I have also found that being active in forums and having a friendly approach really does help. I do not know what it has meant for my business so far besides from that I get good traffic to my blog, but in the long run I know that it will benefit me and my business ventures.

Regarding my posting service at Forum Pal, we of course aim to deliver quality posts and the posters are supposed to interact and help the community out. The thing is that I can not control the posters 24/7 but if the forum owner helps me out and have a look at them too its easier to find non-quality posts and posters that do not do their job along the way.

We are open to suggestions and we can try to get what you need if the standard packages are not enough.
We are working on a new and better concept for Forum Pal that will bring even more quality to the service we provide. So keep you eyes open and do contact me at any time with questions or thoughts.

//Andreas

**imported_Donn** · 09-05-2006, 12:47 AM

Blogging is definitely the way to develop relationships and rapport with your readers. Not sending them a sales letter every other day helps, too. I think y'all have the right idea, to be helpful and charitable to visitors and readers so they will return.

I have a blog set up, but content is not coming easy to me, yet. I am reading and listening to lots of internet marketing techniques as well as offline and personal development. I hope I can glean some content from these inputs and output useful information for others.

This forum is filled with unsolicited advice as well! You guys keep it up and I might learn something!! :thumbup:

Donn

**Bookworm-SEO** · 09-12-2006, 08:03 PM

Thanks for the compliments folks. I just wish people would pay attention when something worthwhile is posted.

**A.N.Onym** · 09-12-2006, 08:32 PM

Heh, judging by the thread title I thought you mention some tricks such as this.

And yeah, taking part in the forums can drive traffic. But after having over 1k posts on most forums, I must say that it is not worth for traffic and links. My time is better spent elsewhere when it comes to writing content.

But it is worth it for the reputation, learning what you need to know, what you think you know and what you should know.

**pizazz** · 09-15-2006, 02:47 AM

Hi,
Well said, A. N. Onym.

**PenKing** · 09-15-2006, 04:59 PM

I too need some help obtaining subscribers. posting in forums and bloging are great ideas.

**tlimbach** · 09-16-2006, 12:01 AM

Where can I get information about bolging? Getting started? Setting up my own blog?

**PenKing** · 09-16-2006, 12:23 AM

Just go to Blogspot.com
step by step setup
here is mine
bizearn.blogspot.com
good luck
kevin

**MonkeyBiz** · 09-20-2006, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bookworm-SEO

In a short period of time (two months), I've earned over a dozen subscribers to my email newsletters. They go out twice a month (though I may soon switch to feedblitz' daily subs for convenience).
I've found that giving out good, in-depth advice in forums, then politely ending with a suggestion to check your blog/newsletter for more tips gets people joining. It's a lot of work though, because I make an effort to really help. I don't say "Try working on your keyword density. Also, consider subscribing to my blog/newsletter for more advice." (And if I have, it hasn't produced results.)

In particular, I know people are paying attention because they reply to these posts by naming me and thanking me for the help.

Other things to note: I've used this with SitePoint only, so far, for my SEO blog. Also, the forums I've been doing this with are the website reviews. (*watches as dozens of EFers go, reg for sitepoint, and try this tactic out by spamming the reviews forums*... repeats: "you're not going to get anywhere with bs-one-line advice").

My Site Flip blog (see signature for link) has about the same number of subscribers. Except there, its mainly from telling EF people they can promote their website sale (established, turnkey, domain, wtv) through my blog. Sign up, reply to the first issue you get with your website for sale pitch, and watch as it goes into the next issue. Again, this works best if I gain people's trust first by sharing insights on selling sites in the forum post itself.

The point is that I'm providing value to my subscribers, and gaining their trust. In particular, I'm promoting through forums. (And if Andreas Bard could guarantee his posters would offer such helpful, in-depth advice around various forums, I would consider hiring his forumpal posters... you paying attention Andy? I'd need to find a better way to monetize the blog though, before spending on it...)

I don't think having only 12 subscribers is going to generate any meaningful business. Most people don't check thier email too often or they used a throwaway email. Have you tried offering free SEO work as an offer?

**tlimbach** · 09-20-2006, 11:03 PM

Thank you PenKing! How has the blog helped you in your business? Any tips to having a successful blog?

**PenKing** · 09-22-2006, 01:41 AM

I wish I had more to tell you about the blog. I've been running mine for about 2 weeks. I try to add to it every day including my site plugs. I found that adding Blog subjects with at least 200 to 300 words are excellent. Then You can submit them to other forums and submit them as articles for free all over the web.
Good Luck

**jesterx** · 12-12-2006, 12:12 AM

two of the most important ways.

1) increase you traffic, with PPC or myspace (they work well)

2) By testing and recording your results. You optin rate should be above 10% if its not you need to test other things like headlines and offers and give freebies.

and record your results. do more of what is working and do less of what has failed.

**DaveSanClemente** · 02-15-2007, 05:49 PM

Have you tried checking out Marketing Experiments? They have a lot of hard data on what works and what doesn't on optimizing subscriptions.

One report is called "Optimizing Subscription Pathways". It was published March 2006. (This is my first post, so I can't hyperlink yet - 14 posts to go! You'll have to go to the site and search out the report yourselves. Sorry for the inconvenience.)

They have lots of information on other online topics too. It's a great site. I like the fact that they base all their recommendations on actual campaigns. You can see the actual results.