In hindsight I probably should have worded that a little bit differently when I said capturing an email address. What I should have said is to offer something of value to the visitor for their email address - Permission Based Marketing.
But even before this conversation I was beginning to see a trend that a lot of businesses have the idea that sending out an email is akin to sending out spam. I can understand why they would think so. With so much spam getting into our inbox emails are getting to point where they'll soon have a negative connotation.
That's why you have to differentiate yourself and not spam your customers.
So What's the difference between Spam vs Permission Based Marketing?
First and foremost Spam often arrives without permission, it's not targeted to what you're interested in and often there's no way to opt out of it. They literally captured your email from a website or a forum.
If it walks like a duck... If you start sending emails with nothing but your sales letter or an advertisement then it's going to come across as spam. There's no way around it. Just because a subscriber gave you permission to get their email address does not mean you can start sending them spam.
Why market to them then? Just because you can't spam your email list doesn't mean you shouldn't sell to them. You just have to market it right.
So whats next? Your first and foremost goal is to provide your list with information that they find valuable. Remember the email is about what they're interested in - that could be anything (news, your views, articles). Provide your list with targeted information about what you do, what are new changes that are in your field, a case study, a new idea -- just make sure you tie it back to what they're interested in.
Let's take an example: Let's say you're a graphic design artist, and you have a website where people join your list -- people that are interested in graphic design services or are graphic design artists themselves. You could include information about why using dark text on light background is better then the other way around and explain why. Basically you could write an article about it.
Again, your goal is inform and educate your visitors. Keep providing them with information and the next time you have some type of special offer or sale then you can send out the information to your entire list letting them know about it. I would by no means consider this spamming because the artist has continued to provide me with information, hasn't tried to hard sell me every single day, or send spam. And for providing me with this invaluable information every now and then they send in a small offer or deal. Completely fine with me.
Who knows maybe I'll even take them up on the deal.
Please keep in mind this is just an example. There are a lot of variables that come into play if you plan on marketing to your list.
- First as I mentioned above - provide them with valuable information or up-to-date news - Next don't spam them - Don't send them more than one email a day and if it is daily make sure it's informational. I'd recommend starting out with a monthly newsletter then weekly and so on. - Third - Maintain consistency. Don't email them twice in one week and then the next email is 2 months later. No. Make sure you send out your newsletter consistently. Start off once a month and then if you can create content for twice a month then go for for it. - Fourth - Don't lie. Subscribers hate when you lie. So just don't do it. - Fifth - If possible try to get their name and email, and when sending out your email use their name in the email header - Next provide them with a way to unsubscribe and if they unsubscribe honor their request - Don't include the entire article in your email - make sure to include a click here to read the complete newsletter on the website type link so that they get a chance to see your website again.
A productive opt-in email list is the most important aspect when you happen to use email marketing for your business. Email marketing is a kind of direct marketing technique. It is a means of communicating to your audience through emails. There are a number of reasons why you need to send emails to your customers. Every time an email is sent to a customer it is considered to be an email marketing technique. Emails can be sent to customers for various reasons. Either to promote a new product or service or to update customer profiles. Sending advertisements or website updates to customers is also considered to be a part of email marketing.
Businesses are increasingly using permission based email marketing as their preferred method for building customer relationships while keeping their reputation intact. While everyone with a website should use email newsletters and promotions to bring their subscribers back to their site, businesses that are not online, can also benefit from email marketing. Businesses without websites can easily send newsletters, promotions, announcements and invitations by email and generate an email reply, a telephone call, an appointment or a personal visit.
A professional email tool can save your business time and money, and simultaneously provide a wealth of intelligence about your customer base. Permission based email marketing will get you in the door and help you to establish long-term customers and clientele (which is what growing a successful business depends on). Confirmed opt-in validates that an email list is truly permission-based, and it has become the standard for qualifying a list as a legitimate, non-spam means of business communication.
Many email marketers make this critical mistake. They send email after email to their subscribers without stopping to think of the people behind the email addresses. As a result, their email marketing campaigns often seem lifeless and dull.
A single opt-in list is created by inviting members to join via a web form; once they submit the form, they're signed up for the list. A double opt-in requires two explicit actions on the part of the recipient granting permission: First, the recipient must formally opt in by filling in a web form with their name and email address. Next, the recipient will receive a subsequent email confirming if you want to receive further information clicking a link thus confirming that they want to receive your communications. It's the most stringent form of opt-in but ensures that your recipients are who they say they are, and really want to sign up for your communications.
When a prospect submits their form indicating their interest in subscribing to your service, before they are added to your list and before you can begin sending them any email messages, they are sent an additional message requiring them to confirm their opt-in request. Once you receive this confirmation, you can begin sending emails to their address.
If you want to be an Internet marketer with an effective opt-in listing, you must treat your leads like human being-complete with emotion, calling them by their first name (you can actually automate that!), and making them know that beyond marketing, you genuinely care about them. This is not something you do to flatter. It will not pan out properly if you are not as sincere in creating a personal touch to your business.
The disadvantage to the Confirmed Opt-In process is that some prospective subscribers submit the opt-in form with good intentions, then forget they have done it when the second confirmation request arrives and do not follow through. However, in my opinion and experience, losing a few potential subscribers this way is better than gaining a list of so-so subscribers who are not truly interested, or did not want to be on your list in the first place.
Both Sameep Shah & Ray Lam are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Sameep Shah has sinced written about articles on various topics from Computers and The Internet, Site Promotion and Children. To find out more information visit Netlyte | . You can also request free information to find out how we can help you build your Website at. Sameep Shah's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.
Ray Lam has sinced written about articles on various topics from Family, Free Credit Report Score and Air Purifier Cleaners. Learn about and get a free report on Email Marketing Secrets by visiting. Ray Lam's top article generates over 246000 views. to your Favourites.