December 22nd, 2008
Should you use double opt-in or single opt-in when building your list? Opinions vary, so let’s look at the specifics.
First of all, the term “opt in” means to choose actively to join a mailing list.
Single opt-in subscribers have either sent an email to your responder or filled out a Web form to join your list. Double opt-in subscribers have taken this first step, plus have also clicked on a validation link sent via email to confirm their desire to subscribe.
Contrary to what many people say, email marketing laws do not specifically state the requirement to double opt-in. However there is speculation that this rule will emerge in hard copy some day.
While a double opt process will mean losing a few subscribers who don’t get the validation email or who change their mind, the benefit is double protection from false spam complaints. People who confirm their request know they asked for your emails… most of the time.
The truth is people seem to lose an average of 30 IQ points the minute they logon to the Web. So you will get spam complaints even from the occasional idiot who double opted and then forgot; it’s just a part of email marketing that you need to accept.
But double opt will protect you and others from abuse. You may think it’s odd (I sure do) but this really does happen: Someone sees your Web form and enters someone else’s name and email address!
When this happens the third party who has been signed up without consent may well cry “SPAM”! Of course this is rare, but be aware it can happen.
On the down side, in many non-business niches people do not understand the double opt process. Consequently you’ll lose almost all your subscribers when you try to verify them!
And certainly you don’t want to be required to double opt a mailing list you are just moving to a new autoresponder service. This too will cause you to lose many readers!
In conclusion, you’ll likely find a balance is in order. You just need to choose when it’s best to use single opt-in or double opt-in.
People in the online marketing world don’t like hearing this, but we need to use our brains and make grown-up choices on the fly sometimes. It’s just part of life, and it helps us perfprm better as marketers as well.
I hope you’ll use this information to make your own choice regarding single opt and double opt marketing.
Categories: Autoresponders |
Tags: Autoresponder service, Autoresponders, double opt-in, List Building, single opt-in | No Comments
December 13th, 2008
This article should help you understand exactly what an autoresponder is and how these tools work. If you already know this and just want to learn about a good responder service you can read our recommendation here.
What Is An Autoresponder?
An autoresponder is a software utility used by email marketers to do the following:
- Collect email subscribers.
- Send these subscribers one or more automatic messages.
- Deliver new email messages at any time to part or all of this email list.
How Does An Autoresponder Work?
So a good autoresponder service will store a database of leads for you. These leads will be organized by name, email, and any other fields you specify, such as phone number, age, etc.
Your autoresponder will also provide you with Web forms you can add to your Web pages. These forms allow users to enter their name, email address, etc, and then submit this info to your responder database, thus subscribing to your list.
In addition to forms, autoresponders can be activated through other means. For instance you can configure an autoresponder to subscribe a prospect when he or she buys something from your site or sends a customer support email.
Once activated by a prospect your autoresponder will send a welcome email containing the requested information, further instructions, or whatever is appropriate for the situation. It is also possible to have an automatic confirmation email sent to all subscribers, making sure they want to receive your messages and be added to your list; this process is known as double-opting.
After the initial automated response, your autoresponder can be set up to deliver multiple emails at specific intervals. You could set up one email per day for a week, one email each five days for several months, or any other sequence that serves your purpose.
Autoresponders take much of the hard work out of email marketing and allow you to literally put your follow-up sales promotions on autopilot!
In addition to scheduled emails, you can use your autoresponder to broadcast a new message to your entire list, or to part of your list. This is great if you have an important update to send, want to promote a new sale, or find any other reason for contacting your subscribers.
Why Do You Need An Autoresponder?
If you are doing business online it is critical that you begin building your opt-in email list ASAP! The fact is most people will not buy your product or service the first time they come to your site, and once they leave there is no guarantee a prospect will ever return!
If you use an autoresponder to collect a visitor’s name and email address you can follow-up with them often and remind them of why they need your product to be happier, healthier, etc. Also with an autoresponder you can promote other products and services as an affiliate, earning commissions when your subscribers buy something you recommend.
Why Would People Give You Their Name And Email Address?
Lots of reasons! And the specific reason you use is up to you.
Maybe you’ll give your visitors a free sample, a free gift related to your product, or some other free information that will help them out. All they have to do to claim this freebie is sign up for your list, and then you’ll have another subscriber!
How Can You Start Building Your Mailing List Right Now?
The first thing you’ll need to do is get yourself a top-quality autoresponder system. We recommend using a responder service that allows you to sign up as a member to use the system while letting the service owners handle all the technical and business aspects of managing the actual autoresponder software.
While there are a few free autoresponder services online we don’t recommend these. Free programs are rarely top-notch and the truth is there’s always some sort of catch with “free” business tools.
To learn about the very best autoresponder we have found please click here now.
Categories: Autoresponders |
Tags: auto responder, autoresponder, Autoresponder service, Email Aces autoresponder | No Comments
December 13th, 2008
It’s critical that you choose the best possible autoresponder service for your business. This essential tool will be the main utility for building and managing your mailing list and can therefore be a major factor in your overall success.
Here are some things to consider when choosing an autoresponder service:
Good Email Deliverability
Spam filters have become insanely aggressive. In fact over 60% of all emails filtered out as “spam” are messages the recipient wants to receive!
It’s important that any autoresponder service you select has the technical knowledge to get your emails delivered. It’s also imperative that your autoresponder program has a good relationship with all the major ISPs and Web mail providers; this will come in handy in the event of a false spam complaint!
Unlimited Responders And Emails
Your autoresponder service should allow you to set up as many individual responders as you want. After all, you might wish to run multiple email campaigns.
Also you should be able to load each responder with as many automated messages as you like. And you should be able to easily set the interval for these follow-ups so you can have your emails going out over the course of one week, three months, even a whole year if you want!
Unlimited Opt-in Prospects
There should be no limit on the number of prospects who can sign up for your mailing list. A good autoresponder service will let you build your list as big as possible!
Easily Import Prospects
You should be able to import leads into your autoresponder system. Services that don’t allow this are just being silly.
Quick Form Generation
Your autoresponder service should allow you to generate opt-in forms in a matter of seconds using their form wizard. And you should be able to customize your forms by creating custom fields for collecting any kind of data you want.
Tracking System
A good autoresponder service will also make it easy for you to track things like how many people open your emails, which pages/forms prospects are signing up from, and how many people click on the links in your email. This type of data is important for creating the best possible results with your email marketing.
Broadcast Mailer
In addition to delivering your pre-written emails, a good autoresponder software will also allow you to broadcast new updates and sales letters to part or all of your mailing list any time you wish. Don’t even consider a service that doesn’t give you this must-have benefit!
This list of benefits should be considered non-negotiable! If the autoresponder you are considering doesn’t give you all this MOVE ON to one that will!
Having tested numerous autoresponders in the past, and having spent hundreds of dollars in the process, we now use and recommend only the Email Aces System to all of our customers. This autoresponder service is without a doubt the elite choice because it was created by an email marketer.
Email Aces lives up to and exceeds every must-have benefit in this article! We invite you to see for yourself as you can test this complete service for only a few bucks.
Categories: Autoresponders |
Tags: autoresponder, Autoresponder service, Email Aces autoresponder | 3 Comments
