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Email Product: How to Start & Concrete Examples

Marketing, social media, advertising

Niko

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The concept of Email Products as infoproducts is not new. Still, it is quite uncommon.

How can you start with this?
Can you please share here the examples of Email Products you have come across and describe:
  • Their topic?
  • Frequency: Email sent every day? Every other day? Weekly? Other?
  • Their PRICE?
  • Possibly a link to their sales page?
What do you think about this?
People are so used to getting newsletter for free. What do you think are the best ways to make them understand the value of a paid newsletter?
 
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NursingTn

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The best newsletter solve problems for the right people.

If I am looking up information on overcoming insomnia, and you convince me to give you my email then you better have a newsletter that helps me overcome insomnia.

Free or paid doesn't matter; if I am convince your newsletter is the answer to my insomnia, you'll get my money no matter what.
 

Merlox

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Well if you offer me water when I'm thirsty, I'll buy it. Same thing with email. You just have to understand what your people want and offer them products until you find what's working and what's not. There's no substitute for hard work at the beginning unless you have the money to outsource boring tasks right away.
 

ZF Lee

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People are so used to getting newsletter for free. What do you think are the best ways to make them understand the value of a paid newsletter?
I like how Ben Settle tackles this in his emails. Just do a different copywriting angle.

He's used this approach many times ( I study his emails daily)

It goes something like this:

1. He outlines a tough problem to crack (e.g. a recent one was on entrepreneur not knowing how to price their products well)

2. 'I tried something unbelievable that regular folks and gurus don't believe it will work'

3. Shows the results...

4. But Ben DOESN'T reveal what exactly he does. He just points them over to the CTA for the paid newsletter to find out the solution, and sometimes puts in a hint of scarcity like '..before the printer stops working'

Think of it as letting customers for a restaurant only smell the aroma of the cooked food, as opposed to tossing samples to them.
 
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Leo Hendrix

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One example that I have considered paying for and probably will do when I can is the one by Anthony Pompliano - Off The Chain on Substack - He has a Finance Firm focused on Cryptocurrency Investing. I apologize if I am innacurate with whatever I just said but here is a link:

Off The Chain

The same information etc he gives to institutional investors you can get access to - so he does have a quite high value proposition/USP.

I believe he offers paid and free versions, the free versions do not have full access.
 

Andy Black

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I have a small paid email newsletter. Here’s the progress thread:

In that thread there’s a link to a financial newsletter where the owner is doing a few million in revenue a year.
 

Niko

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Thanks a lot to all. Ben Settle seems to be one fo the big references in that domain indeed.

Let me express my initial wonder and point another way:
  1. We tend to agree on the fact that people usually see more value in a video than in an audio than in a PDF than in a... an email (series).
  2. Another fact: People are so used to using emails on their daily life that most of them would never have thought they would need to pay to receive emails.
I was just thinking about those 2 aspects and wondering if they could barriers:
  • To convert people who would have convert and buy the product etter if it was NOT a newsletter
  • To set the right price since people would have seen more value in the VERY SAME CONTENT if it was delivered to them in a video format as opposed to a series of emails.
What do you think?
Please note I am alreay 200% aware of the principle that "anybody ould pay a million dollar for just a glass of water in the middle of the desert".

I'm just wondering f my hyothesis above are half-right, totally right or totally wrong...
... and also what would be the best marketing approach to have the audience keep PERCEIVE EXTREME value in your paid newsletter.
As of today, I m hesitating between:
  • Offering only a paid newsletter.
  • Offering a free newsletter not giving the full content, access, like only 60% of the content.
I would love to get a regular FREE newsletter PLUS a paid newsletter but my main constraint is TIME. I just cannot afford thatI
So let me rephrase my main issue, which an now formulate in a clearer way:

Imagine you are starting a new business from scratch WITH NO LIST AT ALL. No Youtube Channel, No
Facebook fans, etc.
hat is the best time-efficient strategy you can have if you want to focus on only those 2 things:
  1. Growing your list. YES, but HOW?
  2. Selling them a PAID newsletter/Email product.
 
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Andy Black

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Thanks a lot to all. Ben Settle seems to be one fo the big references in that domain indeed.

Let me express my initial wonder and point another way:
  1. We tend to agree on the fact that people usually see more value in a video than in an audio than in a PDF than in a... an email (series).
  2. Another fact: People are so used to using emails on their daily life that most of them would never have thought they would need to pay to receive emails.
I was just thinking about those 2 aspects and wondering if they could barriers:
  • To convert people who would have convert and buy the product etter if it was NOT a newsletter
  • To set the right price since people would have seen more value in the VERY SAME CONTENT if it was delivered to them in a video format as opposed to a series of emails.
What do you think?
Please note I am alreay 200% aware of the principle that "anybody ould pay a million dollar for just a glass of water in the middle of the desert".

I'm just wondering f my hyothesis above are half-right, totally right or totally wrong...
... and also what would be the best marketing approach to have the audience keep PERCEIVE EXTREME value in your paid newsletter.
As of today, I m hesitating between:
  • Offering only a paid newsletter.
  • Offering a free newsletter not giving the full content, access, like only 60% of the content.
I would love to get a regular FREE newsletter PLUS a paid newsletter but my main constraint is TIME. I just cannot afford thatI
So let me rephrase my main issue, which an now formulate in a clearer way:

Imagine you are starting a new business from scratch WITH NO LIST AT ALL. No Youtube Channel, No
Facebook fans, etc.
hat is the best time-efficient strategy you can have if you want to focus on only those 2 things:
  1. Growing your list. YES, but HOW?
  2. Selling them a PAID newsletter/Email product.
1) I don’t like watching videos. I’d prefer to read something, or listen.

2) Did you find that podcast I linked to in my progress thread. Study that.

3) Post free content where it can be found and have it lead back to a paid email newsletter? I decided not to have a free email newsletter. I might have a 5-7 part free email series, but I’m doing enough free content in forums, Facebook groups, YouTube, etc.
 

Andy Black

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May 20, 2014
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One example that I have considered paying for and probably will do when I can is the one by Anthony Pompliano - Off The Chain on Substack - He has a Finance Firm focused on Cryptocurrency Investing. I apologize if I am innacurate with whatever I just said but here is a link:

Off The Chain

The same information etc he gives to institutional investors you can get access to - so he does have a quite high value proposition/USP.

I believe he offers paid and free versions, the free versions do not have full access.
Interesting... I’m using Substack too. I’d like to switch to Thrivecart and ActiveCampaign though.
 

ZF Lee

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Let me express my initial wonder and point another way:
  1. We tend to agree on the fact that people usually see more value in a video than in an audio than in a PDF than in a... an email (series).
  2. Another fact: People are so used to using emails on their daily life that most of them would never have thought they would need to pay to receive emails.
1) I don’t like watching videos. I’d prefer to read something, or listen
One of the Agora Financial email newsletters (free) always have a very short email, pointing to some link to a limited-time video on a hot investment.

And whenever I try to get out of the video, a pop-up immediately springs out, pleading for me to wait, and that they’ll give me a pdf transcript of the entire thing.

Sometimes I have to rofl at Agora...
 
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Niko

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Dec 18, 2018
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3) Post free content where it can be found and have it lead back to a paid email newsletter? I decided not to have a free email newsletter. I might have a 5-7 part free email series, but I’m doing enough free content in forums, Facebook groups, YouTube, etc

This goes exactly the opposite way I want to go. I am searching for the most time-efficient way to grow your list without spending hours on product creation for YouTube, Facebook, etc.

I just want to focus on writing that paid newlsetter but I need to find a smart way to attract people and notice it.

Finance is all about money. I understand such a paid newsletter would work for traders and so...

One of the Agora Financial email newsletters (free) always have a very short email, pointing to some link to a limited-time video on a hot investment.

And whenever I try to get out of the video, a pop-up immediately springs out, pleading for me to wait, and that they’ll give me a pdf transcript of the entire thing.

Could you please share the link to this video (do you know what they use to produce such a pop-up?) and also a sample of the "short email" you mentionned. Feel free to PM me.
Thank you.

Interesting... I’m using Substack too. I’d like to switch to Thrivecart and ActiveCampaign though.
Why that change/choice?
Do you already generate revenues? What as been the best way for you to grow your list as of today?
 

Andy Black

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This goes exactly the opposite way I want to go. I am searching for the most time-efficient way to grow your list without spending hours on product creation for YouTube, Facebook, etc.

I just want to focus on writing that paid newlsetter but I need to find a smart way to attract people and notice it.
I'm working towards running paid ads to a 5-7 day email series that adds value and some people then either signup to the paid email newsletter, buy my course, or hire me (or any combination of the three).

Check out the video here:


My philosophy is to start by helping people one at a time. See the first quote in my signature.

Also... consider helping people where they actually are (like in a forum or Facebook group) not where you want them to be (on your free email list for instance).


Maybe check out this thread:

Also check out this call:

Why that change/choice?
Do you already generate revenues? What as been the best way for you to grow your list as of today?
I ended up on Substack because it's simple to setup and I wanted an MVP.

It's handy that Substack stores all past email issues as blog posts behind the paywall (only paying subscribers can see them). This is a content bank of my best curated content that could be packaged up into other products later if I see fit. It does bother me when folks subscribe to access them all and then immediately unsubscribe. I don't like the smash-and-grab mentality, but I may just endure it for now.

I also want more control over my content and my subscribers. If Substack goes bye-bye then my content is in my inbox (because I subscribe to my own newsletter), and I probably can rebuild my small email list. The bigger my list gets the more of a pain it will become to migrate.

However, I still like the ease of Substack and even sent out another issue about 10 mins ago. Maybe I keep my "progress thread" newsletter on Substack, and create niche specific ones using Thrivecart and ActiveCampaign (like a Google Ads newsletter for instance).
 

Leo Hendrix

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Thanks a lot to all. Ben Settle seems to be one fo the big references in that domain indeed.

Let me express my initial wonder and point another way:
  1. We tend to agree on the fact that people usually see more value in a video than in an audio than in a PDF than in a... an email (series).
  2. Another fact: People are so used to using emails on their daily life that most of them would never have thought they would need to pay to receive emails.
I was just thinking about those 2 aspects and wondering if they could barriers:
  • To convert people who would have convert and buy the product etter if it was NOT a newsletter
  • To set the right price since people would have seen more value in the VERY SAME CONTENT if it was delivered to them in a video format as opposed to a series of emails.
What do you think?
Please note I am alreay 200% aware of the principle that "anybody ould pay a million dollar for just a glass of water in the middle of the desert".

I'm just wondering f my hyothesis above are half-right, totally right or totally wrong...
... and also what would be the best marketing approach to have the audience keep PERCEIVE EXTREME value in your paid newsletter.
As of today, I m hesitating between:
  • Offering only a paid newsletter.
  • Offering a free newsletter not giving the full content, access, like only 60% of the content.
I would love to get a regular FREE newsletter PLUS a paid newsletter but my main constraint is TIME. I just cannot afford thatI
So let me rephrase my main issue, which an now formulate in a clearer way:

Imagine you are starting a new business from scratch WITH NO LIST AT ALL. No Youtube Channel, No
Facebook fans, etc.
hat is the best time-efficient strategy you can have if you want to focus on only those 2 things:
  1. Growing your list. YES, but HOW?
  2. Selling them a PAID newsletter/Email product.
For 1 & 2 I think an opt-in lead-magnet could be what you're looking for.

Video Vs Audio Vs Text. I think that depends on your market and your audience and how you structure & design your marketing system/funnel.
 
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Dan_Cardone

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If you want to make big money with a paid newsletter then forget email (except for marketing purposes) and send a physical copy through the mail.

People attach greater value to things that come through the mail and that they can physically touch and hold.

The same emails you send for X price could be printed out and sent through physical mail for 2x-3x more.

One entrepreneur I know sells a 5 page newsletter for $97/month and is making bank. He didn't make nearly as much when he was sending it though email only.

A paid blog and/or membership site is another good solution that seems to convert better than just a newsletter.
 

Dan_Cardone

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I like how Ben Settle tackles this in his emails. Just do a different copywriting angle.

He's used this approach many times ( I study his emails daily)

It goes something like this:

1. He outlines a tough problem to crack (e.g. a recent one was on entrepreneur not knowing how to price their products well)

2. 'I tried something unbelievable that regular folks and gurus don't believe it will work'

3. Shows the results...

4. But Ben DOESN'T reveal what exactly he does. He just points them over to the CTA for the paid newsletter to find out the solution, and sometimes puts in a hint of scarcity like '..before the printer stops working'

Think of it as letting customers for a restaurant only smell the aroma of the cooked food, as opposed to tossing samples to them.

Years ago I was a writer for a blog that used this strategy modified for a blog.

You was able to read the first part of the blog post for free but if you wanted to read the "nuts and bolts" on how the "thing" was accomplished you needed a monthly membership.

I don't know how much the owner was making but he had five of us writers and judging from how much he was paying us he must have been making bank.
 

Niko

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Dec 18, 2018
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If you want to make big money with a paid newsletter then forget email (except for marketing purposes) and send a physical copy through the mail.
I am convinced about this. My issues is: How to you manage to do so at a low cost and without taking logistic and customer satisfaction risks when you live in Europe and your subscribers will be worldwide and may be 50% or so of them in the US?

A paid blog and/or membership site is another good solution that seems to convert better than just a newsletter.
This sounds more traditional. What I like with emails is like people will receive it (push mode) whatever they do. It helps them getting into a routine. If you do it right, they will soon wait for your email like they wait for your breakfast.
 
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Andy Black

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StrikingViper69

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ZF Lee

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Could you please share the link to this video (do you know what they use to produce such a pop-up?) and also a sample of the "short email" you mentionned. Feel free to PM me.
Thank you.
26597
Here's a snapshot of a recent email...
Once you click a link, you get to a page where you can book a place for the video watching.
Actually typical amongst the gurus presently, if you have been keep tabs on the self-development market in general.

Not sure what kind of tools they use though, to generate such a link and video.

I think its their self-created software. I didn't see any names of generic webinar software in the link address when I clicked it, and things started loading.

You can get these kinds of emails every day, once you sub to Agora.
Mind though, you actually get THREE different emails from Agora regularly

If I'm not mistaken, one or two of them feature free newsletters with a subtle CTA for investment books and picks, but they are very informative, even though they are free!
 

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