Zen and the Art of Email List Building

I've just finished putting the finishing touches on my Zen and the Art of Email List Building manuscript...

it's completely free...all that I ask is that you leave your thoughts on this manuscript by clicking on *comments* at the end of this post.

If you have not yet picked up your copy just go over to Zen and the Art of Email List Building

Be sure to come back and post your comments...

Comments

[David]

Dear Ellen & Fellow Bloggers,
The information on business you present is freely available and I have amassed it to the degree that it became overwhelming, indecipherable and useless. The resonant beauty in Zen & the Art of List Building is in the masterful way it is prepared, then presented and finally acclimated. Each step reveals the authors understanding respect and power that the information, the teacher and the student possess.

You honor those who discovered the methods, you honor your teachers whose wisdom you have embraced and you honor your pupils with the diligence, patience and art that you implemented in the presentation of the information. To each aspect and energy of your endeavor you bestow respect upon the endeavors of the past, present and future.

Had Lao Tsu not heeded the request to transcribe the Tao, the wisdom would have remained as stock piled in a warehouse, with the stoic energy of limbo, available but not obvious or prepared.

I liken Zen & the Art of List Building to the breakfast feeding of an infant. It satisfies, contains no more or less nourishment than required, it is easily digested and it enables growth. It is a marvel in balance. Its energy is perpetual and positive.

I thank you for this work: it will sustain and resonate within its readers as a guide for our immediate needs and as a road for continued advancement. The universe thanks you for answering its needs

In Love, prosperity and light
David
Reiki Master
YorkRegionReiki.com

[Antoinette Swayne-Kohlman]

Ellen:

I heard you speak this week during Milana Leshinsky's Coaching Telesummit. I just finished your "mainfesto" on list building. As in the call, I learned a great deal about the benefits of having a plan and an execution strategy for building a list. Your points about having a relationship with your list make sense on an intuitive and business level! With your suggestions, my list can be based on quality, targeted information that will position my coaching business for success. I've already shared your website information and raved about the ideas in your manuscript.

Yours in Spirit,

Coach-In-The-Making

[Ashira]

Ellen thank you. It is funny one never knows where the inspiration they need is going to come from.

[Sheila Finkelstein]

Ellen,

I'm smiling, energized and ready to take some new actions after finally reading your ZEN AND THE ART OF E-MAIL LIST BUILDING. I actually downloaded it, printed it out, read the first 8 pages, referred it to several people and then laid it aside. Because I'm now intrigued with the complete program you've just launched, I realized that it would be a good idea to complete the PDF.

In it you discuss a lot of things I "know" and you put a whole new light on it, for me, in an easy read, occasionally humorous, information-packed document.

My first inclination before commenting here was going to be to create a new PDF and a new squeeze page for my Changing Perspectives PDF download - a tool for coaches, Using Photography for Accessing Transformation. Then I decided to simply recode it for my link here and AFTER reading your Seven Immutable Laws of Marketing Qi, I will play with new pages.

Thank you so much for your generosity, for what you've offered here and in the teleclasses I've been on with you.

With great appreciation,

Sheila

[Michele Risa]

Am just about to create a BIGGER website, literally getting quotes from web builders and this gives me pause. Thank you for sharing such valuable suggestions and methods.

[Sheryl Brown]

About Zen and the Art..., I printed out p.21 on Choose Wisely--A List, and p.24, 25 on The Bamboo Garden as well as the list of The Seven Immutable Laws.

With these pages highlighting for me what to focus on, I feel less overwhelmed!

It's reassuring to remember that not all growth is visible at the moment--something IS moving forward (when the root system is being developed), even when it feels like it's not much or not enough.

[Rijuta Tooker]

Ellen, your student/teacher relationship in your writing is most compelling and reveals so-ooo much more than just business principles. Your generous releasing of both the List Building and the 7 Laws is an inspiring example of an additional law of selfgivingness. Looking forward to more of your blossoming and sharing of insights to those of us who can benefit greatly from your inspiration and guidance.
With much gratitude.

[Christine]

Ellen,

I have just finished reading Zen & The Art of List Building and Seven Immutable Laws, and I have to say I found them both totally inspirational.

Thank you for sharing this valuable information in such a refreshing way.

They are gifts that I will be delighted to share with my friends

[Roger Ellerton]

I have just finished reading “Zen and the Art of E-mail List Building” and “The Seven Immutable Laws”. Enjoyed both of them very much. These documents certainly have good advice, especially for me.

Not sure about the squeeze page. Frankly, when I see a squeeze page, I avoid it like the plague. I am not about to give my name and e-mail address to just anybody for potentially questionable material. Your squeeze page is the first one on which I ever signed up for something. The reason. I have been a long-time non-participating member of The Coaching Zone network on Ryze that you moderate. Therefore I am familiar with your name and you have established credibility with me. This gave me enough comfort to sign-up for your material and I am glad I did.

Will this encourage me to sign-up on other squeeze pages? No. The credibility must be there and a lot of hype with testimonials that I can not verify does not cut it for me.

Roger

[Patsi Krakoff, The Blog Squad]

Thanks, Ellen. I've followed your suggestions, downloaded and even printed your "Zen" out...something I never do. I'll read it thoroughly while waiting for an appointment later today. So far, I'm entranced...

There's something about Ellen...

[Rita]

Ellen,
Thank you for this document and for the prompt email reminding me to download and read it !

I have as yet only skim read the document and already learnt some powerful lessons. I am applying one of my new learnings here . . . this is my first ever blog posting!!

I will be re reading and sharing . .

Thank you for sharing so much wisdom.

[Rijuta Tooker]

Ellen, your student/teacher relationship in your writing is most compelling and reveals so-ooo much more than just business principles. Your generous releasing of both the List Building and the 7 Laws is an inspiring example of an additional law of selfgivingness. Looking forward to more of your blossoming and sharing of insights to those of us who can benefit greatly from your inspiration and guidance.
With much gratitude.

[Theresa]

I read both the list builing and the Seven Laws of Marketing. I very much enjoyed them. I am SOOO new to the putting together of a website and am looking for things that make sense. I appreciated that it was from the viewpoint of someone who still has so much to learn even though they already had done so much. I know that things will go well for me, as the universe wants, and that your information is going a long way to lay my solid foundation even before I actually build the site, which will be very soon. Making a layout idea on paper now and still looking at others who I admire and respect. Thanks for the information. And thanks for the peek into your wonderful spirit.

[Kelly]

I must be missing something - The ebook was great, but I can't make it past the squeeze page to your website - is there anything beyond that? After the book downloads, then what? I'm a little frustrated because I really liked the ebook and would like to see more of what you have to offer. Please point me in the right direction. Thank you. Kelly LaVine

[Kaite McGrew]

This is a note for Cheryl -
Hi Cheryl, your site is one that doesn't seem to need a squeeze-type format - your opt-in is very appealing, and very noticeable right off the bat - I have to confess that I almost didn't notice that it wasn't a squeeze page format, I was so compelled to opt-in. And your site seem rock solid to me - appealing, credible, chock full o' value, etc! And your pink spoon rocks! I say keep up the good work, (IMHO!)

warm regards,
Kaite McGrew

[Kaite McGrew]

Ellen -
As usual, your report was captivating - I, too, read it cover to cover immediately upon receiving it, and would recommend it to anyone getting started out in the world of internet martketing.

One thing I think you did beautifully was modeling the concept of relationship building within the report itself. That perosnal, conversational style really leaves the reader feeling they have a sense of who you are - that they "know, like and trust" you - and all that just from reading a single report, so well done!

Second, I particularly appreciate that the material you present is practical and applicable, as well as very conscious. Being a spiritual life coach, I always admire work that can bring the "inner" and the "outer" together in a way that is both inspiring emotionally and practical enough to give me some next steps! Gets me in the mood to take action and then gives me some real practical actions to take! Thanks for that! As always, you over-deliver every time!

Re: Squeeze pages, the magic is all in the perceived credibility of the source, plus the implied value of the "pink spoon" - If I really really want what's on the other side of that squeeze page, I'll always put my info in. But the page itself has to convince me that a) the person offering it is credible, and b) the pink spoon will be of value to me. Then I'll almost always bite!

Let's hope we all will have great, inspiring, value-packed pink spoons, like this report!

have a great day,

Kaite McGrew

[Cheryl Miller]

Hi Ellen: Thanks for the copy of your new ebook, Zen and the Art of Email List Building. I enjoyed reading it.

I'm a little troubled by that squeeze page though. Gotta think more about that. I feel kinda squeezed when I come to a squeeze page and often leave - not because I'll never buy anything but because I want to see if the site is worthy of getting my name and email. I subscribe to a lot of things and don't need one more....if it's not really of the quality, tone, and integrity that I can get a sense of if I have the freedom to explore their site.

I'm not giving it a total thumbs down, I'm not pondering a bit more.

Thanks for provoking me to think about it. Cheryl

[Elizabeth Richardson]

Ellen...I have downloaded so many e-books on internet marketing I have a folder full of them - yours is the first that I have read completely to the end and word-for-word.

Your presentation style made me curious, but then I was even more impressed with your genuine care for the relationships you build with your people.

The information is valuable.

Your integrity shines.

I am grateful to have you as a role-model and look forward to the prospect of working with you in the near future.

[Gary Gile]

Today has been a very good learning day and I love to learn. First I was introduced to Ellen's Zen and the Art of Email List Building. Then I read "The Seven Immutable Laws".

I am very impressed. The wisdom that Ellen imparted was very refreshing. One of my favorite books is, "Ask and It is Given" by Esther & Jerry Hicks. The book was about the teachings of Abraham. And that is what moved me about the way Ellen presented her wisdom.

My thoughts were: "How long must one live to be able to express such insightful knowledge?"

I will definitely start listening to my "Witness". Maybe I will gain some insights.

[Jamie Saloff]

I enjoyed reading Zen and the Art of Email List Building. It was quick to read and only took a few moments. It felt as if it was written for the little guy - in other words, I don't have to be a huge internet marketer to benefit from it. It reminded me of a lot of things I already knew and was (or wasn't) doing. It also gave me a few tips of things I want to do right away.

I certainly am looking to do JVs with others too, so I'd like to learn more about any JVs you offer or others offer. I feel that some of the clients on my new site for authors (The Polka Dot Banner) would be interested too, so I will pass the word to them. Thanks for inviting me to read the article.

[Gary Gile]

Ellen, I loved the way you presented some fantastic information. The story format does keep one's attention, especially the way you did it.

I am currently learning how to drive traffic and your suggestions match 100% with what I am learning. And this is very reassuring to me.

To answer Joan's question, every website, with almost no exceptions, should lead with a squeeze page. As others have said, "If they aren't willing to leave their name and email address on your squeeze page, they definitely won't leave their credit card information."

The reason I said "almost" no exceptions is because I am sure there are some businesses out there that don't want to make money and help people. They only want to look good to themselves. And for that, they don’t need a squeeze page.

[Joan Huyser-Honig]

Ellen,
Thanks for that fascinating document. Like Christine, I especially like the bamboo garden metaphor.

Would you apply the squeeze page idea to every kind of online business, even one that sells prints of landscape photography?

If so, I suppose the offline equivalent would be like an art gallery that wouldn't let anyone look at the art unless they are on a pre-approved list. I can see how it would perhaps create an exclusive feel but wonder if that would also make other people feel insulted or annoyed.

If you have time to reply to this comment, I'd be grateful.

[Michael]

Thanks for your info. I'm still digesting it. Right now I'm reading a lot of books on marketing. Yours looks interesting.

[Sandra Carroll]

Ellen - Your list building advice is exactly what I needed to know at exactly when I needed to know it. I am particularly interested in the joint venture idea. You have inspired me to do some more homework, and turn my ideas into reality. By the way, I have also had the opportunity to participate in a couple of your teleseminars, and I want to thank you for the great information in a fun format.

[Christine Thompson]

I loved the story like style of this document .... it is a fast read, extremely motivating, provides excellent information and visual reference. The visual of bamboo growing was fabulous ... a wonderful way to think of listbuilding and growing a business ..... I particularly liked Ellen's presentation of simple and direct ways to accelerate list building.

Ellen, your writing style and approach is truly a gift .... you make list building sound so doable and easy. I can't wait to get started and learn more from you ... especially using Joint Ventures to build my list.