An opt-in mailing list can be your most solid internet marketing tool. Think of it as a foot in the door or better yet, a standing invitation to drop by anytime. Research has shown that it takes an average of seven contacts with a prospect to
make your first sale.
It’s hard to count on someone returning to your web site seven times but if you get them there once, and convince them to join your opt-in mailing list, you have a standing invitation to contact them with your offers, at your convenience.
The trick, of course, is turning your web site visitors into opt-in list subscribers. Opt-in list building is easier than you think. There are a number of tried and true methods of list building that you can use but don’t be afraid to think outside the box to sign up folks who drop by your web site for a short visit.
Start with a good reason for people to join your opt-in list.
People don’t join opt-in lists out of the goodness of their hearts they opt in because you’re offering them something of value. What have you got to offer?
• Get a 10% discount on all purchases over $25 exclusive to members of our mailing list!
• Find out about our newest products through our opt-in mailing list!
• We’ll keep you up to date on the latest developments in [insert your field here].
• Special discount prices and offers exclusively for members of our mailing list.
Get the picture? You’re not saying, Hey, can I keep bugging you to try to sell you stuff? You’re offering a service I’ll let you know when I’ve got good stuff you want to buy.
Post the invitation to join your opt-in list prominently on your web site. Simple list building truth number one is that people can’t join your opt-in list if they don’t know about it. Put an invitation to join your email list on every single page of your site and make the invitation enticing.
Practice opt-in list building everywhere.
Include a short invitation to join your opt-in email list as part of your email signature so that it goes out every time you email someone. If you do a presentation or event, personally invite participants or booth visitors to join your opt in email list.
Bribe people to sign up with a free gift.
Bribery is a tried-and-true fast list building technique and website promotion tool. Selling weight loss products? Put together an e-book of weight loss facts about nutrition and offer it as an incentive to sign up for your opt in list. Be creative, and watch your list grow like a weed.
Offer incentives for referrals.
About The Author
Shon Christopher is the owner of
advancedmarketingsoftware.com which offers 11 powerful software toolkits created especially for webmasters and affiliates to help them drive website traffic and increase sales.
