Tag: Mailing Lists

How I Grew My Mailing List with the Help of eBooks

Numerous authors advise starting a mailing list at the earliest opportunity. One effective strategy is to create an enticing magnet for subscribers.

My approach involved penning a couple of eBooks on the Internet of Things and offering them for complimentary download.

This initiative alone garnered me over 3,000 email subscribers.

If you’d like to access these eBooks, I’ve shared both below for your convenience.

(1) IoT Notes

Download IoT Notes — HERE

IoT Notes: Learning Outcomes

  1. Comprehensive Understanding of IoT and its Applications: Upon completing the ebook, readers will gain a solid understanding of the Internet of Things (IoT), its components, and applications. This knowledge will extend to the IoT inflection point and the reasons behind its significance in the current technological climate.
  2. Profound Insights into the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Industry 4.0: Readers will develop a strong grasp of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Industry 4.0 concepts, including their differences and interconnectedness. They will also understand how technology creates ripples throughout various aspects of society and business.
  3. IoT Business Models and Impact on Businesses: The ebook will equip readers to understand seven IoT business models, their critical success factors, challenges, and potential effects on businesses. This knowledge will help them assess and navigate the rapidly changing IoT landscape.
  4. Understanding IoT Protocols, Architectures, and Networks: Readers will gain insights into the differences between MQTT and HTTP protocols and an understanding of IoT architecture, including the 7-layer OSI model and the 7-layer IoT model. The ebook will also cover various network options and compare LPWAN solutions.
  5. Proficiency in IoT Tools, Platforms, and Programming Languages: The ebook will help readers understand the advantages of using Arduino in IoT projects, explore popular programming languages within the IoT domain, and learn about IoT platforms, such as the Favoriot IoT Platform. This knowledge will enable them to make informed decisions when selecting tools and platforms for their IoT projects.
  6. Skills in System Integration and IoT Engineering: By the end of the ebook, readers will have a solid understanding of system integration in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and IoT. They will learn to implement system integration and gain insights into the top 10 skills required to become a successful IoT engineer.

https://payhip.com/b/4qrQ

(2) Your IoT Journey

Download Your IoT Journey eBook — HERE

Your IoT Journey: Learning Outcomes

  1. Addressing IoT Challenges and Market Segmentation: Readers will gain insights into the main challenges faced by IoT service providers, as well as an understanding of IoT target markets, including consumer (B2C) and enterprise (B2B) segments. This knowledge will help them make informed decisions in their IoT ventures.
  2. IoT Cloud Services and Monetization: The ebook will introduce learners to the concept of “Sensing-as-a-Service” as a new IoT cloud service and guide them on monetizing IoT data to become commercial sensor service providers. This understanding will enable readers to explore new business opportunities and revenue streams in the IoT domain.
  3. IoT Adoption and Industry Trends: Readers will be equipped with knowledge of the factors influencing IoT adoption rates, the early adopters of IoT, and the trends and predictions for IoT in Malaysia. This information will help them stay informed about the IoT landscape and make strategic decisions in this rapidly evolving field.
  4. Leveraging IoT for Smart Cities and Citizen Engagement: The ebook will discuss various ways IoT can be applied to smart city development, from flood prevention to building citizen engagement solutions. This understanding will enable readers to explore innovative applications of IoT for improving urban life.
  5. IoT and Job Market Implications: Readers will gain insights into the potential impact of IoT on the job market, including job creation and displacement. This knowledge will help them understand the changing dynamics of the workforce and identify opportunities and challenges in a world increasingly shaped by IoT.
  6. IoT in the Context of Industry 4.0 and National Strategies: The ebook will discuss the connection between IoT, Industry 4.0, and Malaysia’s National IoT Strategic Roadmap. Understanding this context will allow readers to grasp better IoT’s broader implications on national and global scales and its potential to drive future development.

https://payhip.com/b/4qrQ

Why Mailing List is Far Better Than Social Media Followers for Startups (Build Them Now)

In the early stages of a startup, it’s easy to get excited with the idea of building a massive social media following.

Don’t get me wrong; a strong social media presence is important.

But how many of the followers really read your posts?

Only if they open the specific app, right?

However, the thrill of seeing your follower count rise can distract from a more intimate and arguably more effective form of communication: the mailing list.

With email, almost all people will read their inbox daily.

Email is a direct way to connect with that specific person.

The Social Media Dilemma

While it’s true that social media platforms offer incredible reach, the dynamic is inherently different.

The audience is far less captive; your posts are just one among hundreds or thousands that your followers scroll through each day.

There’s also the taxing task of growing your follower base organically, which requires consistent posting, engagement, and time-a daunting endeavor for a startup hustling to get off the ground.

The Mailing List Advantage

Emails offer a direct line of communication to your audience.

When someone opts to subscribe to your newsletter or leaves their email to download an eBook, they’re expressing an explicit interest in what you have to say.

For my startup, Favoriot, this direct approach led to a more global audience.

By offering free eBooks filled with tips, tutorials, and articles on IoT (Internet of Things), we not only gained an audience but also provided value upfront.

This strategy led to a global following, including overseas customers who subscribed to our platform.

Value Before Selling

One key to successful mailing lists is providing genuine value before ever making a sales pitch.

People are savvy; they know when they’re being sold to and can easily be put off by overt sales tactics.

On my LinkedIn, for instance, my newsletter isn’t just about Favoriot.

It’s about my journey in entrepreneurship and my general insights into IoT.

This balanced approach helps establish trust, rapport, and credibility-all crucial for a startup looking to build a loyal customer base.

Cutting Out the Middleman

What’s more, once you’ve built a substantial mailing list, you gain independence.

Unlike social media platforms, where algorithms and policies dictate your reach, your mailing list is yours to control.

In my experience, I no longer need third-party mailing software to send out thousands of newsletters.

A Global Objective

My objective is clear: to gain more followers and customers, particularly from overseas markets.

The key is to strike a balance, sharing valuable information without making the reader feel like they’re merely a potential sale.

People want to know who you are, what you stand for, and how you can add value to their lives or businesses.

In Conclusion

While it’s tempting to pour all your efforts into building a social media following, remember that emails offer a more direct, intimate line of communication with your audience.

Done right, a mailing list can be a powerful tool for customer acquisition, retention, and global reach-all while adding genuine value to your subscribers’ lives.

So if you’re in the early stages of your startup, or even if you’re more established but haven’t yet explored the power of mailing lists, now is the time to start.

Trust me, your future self-and your growing customer base-will thank you.