One easy way of automating the list building process with Twitter is by using online services or local tools. You can send out automatic direct messages to those who begin to follow your updates. These automated messages could include a direct link to your website, blog or better yet – your squeeze page where you offer each Twitter user a free incentive, such as a report, ebook, article content or guide based on your niche market.
When it comes to using TweetLater to build your list and initiate first contact with those that follow you, be sure that the product you are offering on your squeeze page is extremely focused on your niche market and offers something of value.
Just like with every other social community, your marketing campaign needs to be tweaked and offered in a slightly very different format that caters to their desire to network with other like-minded individuals.
This means that you want to make sure your automated DM message, as well as every tweet you broadcast is seemingly written for the benefit of the reader, rather than direct advertisements. Rather than posting a link to a direct news story, post a summary of it on your blog and direct people to your page in order to read the message you are broadcasting.
Once you have them on your website or blog, they’ll likely take time to explore what you are offering. Focus first on developing relationships with your following base and staying active within the twitter community. It will make your job of marketing a LOT easier once you have done your job at connecting with your audience, and becoming an active member of the community.
One way of exposing your website to new business is to add your twitter account to the free directory available at twellow.com
Twellow offers the option to search through specific groups of twitter users, based on category. This makes it exceptionally easy to locate potential prospects in your market, as well as maximize your exposure by including your own twitter profile within the directory’s feature page.
Building a List with Twitter
One of the easiest ways to monetize your twitter activity and to really benefit from your interaction within the community is by using Twitter to build a mailing list.
With a mailing list, you’re able to connect with your target audience instantly, while being able to follow up with additional content and offers whenever you choose. You are essentially collecting leads, and retaining full control over your own email based community. So, in the event you are no longer interested in remaining a member of Twitter, you’ll be able to continue communicating with your customer base directly through a series of autoresponder messages, or individual broadcasts.
In order to build a mailing list, you will need 2 main components:
1: An autoresponder account
2: Opt-In Code
There are many different autoresponder providers online. Autoresponder providers will provide you with the opt-in code that allows visitors to subscribe to your newsletter. They will also help you manage and maintain your email lists, ensuring that you are compliant with Anti-Spam regulations and laws.
In order to begin collecting leads, you simply need to copy and paste your opt-in box into the front page of your website, or sidebar of your blog. Whenever a visitor lands on your page, they can enter in their name and email address and be added to your mailing list.
In regards to list building with Twitter, you can get started a few different ways, including by using the automation tools we spoke of in the previous segment of this report (SocialOomph.com), and setting up auto-messages to be sent out to every person who follows you.
Include a direct link to your mailing list opt-in form (known as a squeeze page), and start building your list on autopilot!
You can also start building your list with Twitter by including a direct link within your tweets, or by offering quality, relevant content on your blog with your opt-in form prominently featured on the front page. Then, rather than direct followers to your squeeze page, direct them to an interesting article or content piece on your site and feature your opt-in box within that page template.
Get creative with your twitter marketing, and you’ll quickly discover just how valuable Twitter can be at helping you develop a following, build a brand and reputation and create a strong foundation for your online business.
If you liked this article, you may find more List building tips in the “List Building” category…. In the Twitter category you will also find links to tools I am now allowed to not mention here.