A Guide to Putting Together Your Opt in List

If you want maximum results from your online business, one way is to put together an opt in mailing list. This list has the names and email addresses of people who have expressed an interest in your company. They have given you permission to send them emails about your business on a periodic basis. Half the sale is made already when you talk to someone who has expressed an interest in what you have to sell.

Permission Email Marketing is the result of building an opt in list in the first place. They are rapidly becoming quite a popular tool.

If you want to succeed at what you are doing, there are certain things that you should and should not do. The following are some steps that you should know about opt in lists.

Yes, you should.

1. Make an opt in list highly visible on your site. You can use a software program from virtually any site.

2. Using the general email that you send out to clients, have a place where they can link to sign up for receiving emails from you.

3. Make sure they do want to receive emails from you. You do not want to get into trouble for spamming.

4. When conversing with them, mention that you have emails that you can send to let them know of new products and sales.

5. Do not talk in circles. Explain exactly what you have and how it can benefit them. Do not mislead them about what they will be receiving.

6. Contact people who sign up right away. Let them know how you operate and what they can expect from you. Make them feel welcome.

No, You Should Not

1. Do not assume someone that has emailed you six months ago would like to be added to your list. Send them an email and ask if they would like to be included in your mailings.

2. Do not buy lists of opt ins that you are not sure of. Ask for evidence that the people on the list do want to receive emails about your business.

3. Do not take people for granted. Appreciate the trust they put in you. When you do something to make them reconsider whether trusting you was wise or not, you put your business in jeopardy. They will not be eager to return emails or converse with you either.

One sure method of saving money is to send emails. Direct mailing is expensive and the supplies you use to send mail by the post office is expensive. If you are ready to start your own opt in service, give it a try.

1. Information for free. If you want to get a good opt in list going, let your visitors know that they can receive free information. Newsletters, travel tips, which tools are rated the best, and tried and true recipes are a good start.

2. The simpler the better. It should not take an hour to sign up for a subscription to a website. Do not ask questions that are not necessary. The info they provide should be just what you need to know a little about their preferences, their email, and other contact information. Tell them what their subscription includes.

3. offer something of value. The information that your newsletter contains should be good information, free incentives should have some value, and it should be up to date.

4. Have a forum on your website. Do not only have a forum but be a part of it. This is one way to let people know you are truly interested in what they think.

5. Communication through writing. If you spin out some articles about your chosen business and use it to try and inspire people as you have been inspired, this will serve you well.

6. Joint enrollment. If you do this, a huge opt in list could be possible in practically no time.

7. Put your knowledge to work. Use your expertise to write an e-book. This can be used as an incentive to give to people who subscribe to your opt in list or mailing list. It does not have to be large. Just write what you know best, add some interesting facts, and a few tips that you have found useful.

When you are trying to get an opt in list started, make sure you add something that would make someone want to sign up. The fact is, opt in lists have been found to lay the foundation for web sites that are more profitable than others. Always look for ways to improve your website.

Nobody said this was going to be easy. However if you want your website to succeed, take a good look at what you want to say and make the pitch for opt in sign ups as interesting as you possibly can. Here are 10 ways to build a opt in list that will get the best results.

1. Keep in mind that there are plenty of other web owners who want business as badly as you do. Choose which section of people you want to appeal to.

When you are trying to get an opt in list started, make sure you add something that would make someone want to sign up. The fact is, opt in lists have been found to lay the foundation for web sites that are more profitable than others. Always look for ways to improve your website.

2. Make certain that your website is reaching the right people.

3. If you cannot make a profit on it, do not waste your time. Keeping track of your budget is another way of determining whether you will be successful or not.

4. By leading discussions on a forum as much as possible, you will find out what problems you have and be able to correct them.

5. Find out why your customers are not getting what they want from websites. Help them to find the right resources for the things they need.

6. Help is always appreciated. If a visitor to your site has a problem, help them to find a solution.

7. A small site that offers direct response will be much appreciated.

8. Auto responders are great. They can keep track when you cannot. This is definitely one site you want to keep in shape.

9. Draw in potential customers with giveaways. Coupons offering a percentage off of a product or products can help to get customers to your website.

10. Use whatever works within reason to corner the market in your field of expertise.

The results found in opt in are more than you would ever dream if done correctly. This is a huge part of the profit margin. If you take care of your customers, they will take care of you.


About the Author

Anthony Harris is a member of one of the fastest growing and one of the most successful home business on the internet. Find out how were creating financial freedom and join us for a FREE test drive at

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How to Successfully Pitch a Reporter to Get Interviewed and Obtain Media Coverage

When I was up against a book deadline and needed a couple of people to interview who had achieved business results from podcasting, I put out a call through a service called Help a Reporter Out (www.helpareporter.com). This free service functions very much like paid reporter lead services such as Profnet or Travel Publicity Leads. Generally media people put out such calls either when they need interview leads extremely soon (like a deadline in two days) or when they have rather unusual interview needs that cant be satisfied through the usual channels (such as looking for someone who has diabetes, owns pets and is gay or lesbian).

Someday you may be in a position to pitch a reporter, so Id like to help you understand what to do and what not to do in this situation, and why, so you can seize the opportunity to meet the reporter's needs and receive valuable media coverage. Here is the meat of the request I made:

"Need phone interviews by end of the week with 3 podcasters who can cite specific, tangible business results achieved through podcasting. Tell me briefly the topic of your podcast, your URL, your results and your phone number. Thanks."

I received 30 replies. Of these, five stood out as excitingly fulfilling my criteria. At least half of the rest put themselves completely out of the running by ignoring my stated requirements, while several others were wasting their time and mine in their reply for other reasons.

Im not sure how I could have been more clear and explicit about what information I wanted from respondents in order to screen them. I said I wanted potential interviewees to tell me the "specific, tangible business results achieved through podcasting." Anyone who did not say exactly how theyd gotten new opportunities or earned money from their podcast got eliminated. Perhaps they had a great story to tell, but they hadnt pre-qualified themselves with me to tell it. Instead they said, in effect, "Im the one you want. Call me." One wrote, "We are number 1 in the world, business results are amazing. I am so busy I would rather speak on the phone." As far as Im concerned, thats hot air and does not show willingness to help me with my story.

This may sound "Mickey Mouse," but whatever details are in the reporters request are there for a reason, and it doesnt work to ignore them. I saw much the same thing happen when I judged a couple of business contests. The application form asked several questions that numerous otherwise appealing candidates left blank. These people were disqualified. The time and in some cases money theyd spent entering the contest was for naught.

Besides those who neglected to specify their podcasting results, a few people wasted their time by sending me contact information for someone who they said met my criteria, such as their boss, their client or someone they knew of from afar. For someone on a tight deadline who receives sufficient responses directly from interviewees, this doesnt work, either. From the underling or PR representatives suggestion, I have no way of knowing whether or not their referral is actually available to talk during my time frame. If you know of someone who fits a reporters request, always forward it to that person and urge them to respond right away instead of replying on their behalf.

Another bunch of people wasted their time writing to me because they did not have a podcast of their own but rather provided podcasting services for a fee. Id said, "Tell me briefly the topic of your podcast," and theyd violated that portion of my request.

One of the top five respondents whom I emailed back right away to set up a time to talk by phone took more than 24 hours to reply. "Sorry, your email landed in my spam folder," he said. "Heres when Im available today." Unfortunately, by then Id already completed the interviews I needed. Unfortunately too for another respondent who met all of my criteria: He initiated contact after Id finished all the interviews.

My advice on getting publicity by replying to reporters requests boils down to this: Reply promptly. Explicitly address the stated criteria in your reply. Volunteer only yourself. Check for the reporters email or phone call so you can follow through on having caught his or her interest.

Paradoxically, by treating the media person as a prince or princess, you position yourself to become a star.


About the Author

Marcia Yudkin is the author of 11 books, including 6 Steps to Free Publicity and Persuading on Paper. For more information on getting a profitable round of visibility for ideas, tips, products, services, events, expertise or controversial views, visit http://www.pressreleasehelp.com

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