Internet Marketing: How To Create A Productive Opt-in List

Internet marketers typically work to create a large opt-in list. Once your list has agreed to accept your emails, you can send ezines, newsletters and special offers targeted directly to them.

"Linda," a new Internet marketer, grew her list easily. But she found her list was not helpful in generating leads. "Every time I make an offer," she said, "I lose about 10% of my list. Most of my names come from pay-per-click. I"m afraid they will all disappear if I keep selling."

Linda held a common set of false marketing beliefs. "A big list is a good list. Keep adding names and you will get richer." But in fact it"s the quality of your list that matters, not the numbers. Some marketers with lists of 1000 will consistently out-perform competitors with lists that are several times larger.

To get a high-performance list, recruit subscribers through article marketing, teleseminars and social marketing. Choose methods that reach members of your target market who will be genuinely interested in what you have to offer.

For instance, if you offer a service related to dog training, choose joint ventures and social marketing groups related to dogs and pets. Resist the temptation to participate in programs that are not reaching your own market. Offer a free Report with a title that directly addresses the most painful problem of your target market.

You can also recruit subscribers through pay-per-click. Typically marketers find these subscribers tend to grab the free report and then leave the list.

Once you get a quality list, you have to create expectations right from the get-go. I call this step "training" your list. You have to let them know that you are not sending them e-zines and info because you are a nice, kind, generous person. You will make offers in every single issue of your e-zine. You will send occasional solo notices.

As soon as you clarify your status, you will see names disappear. In my experience, most will go away after you first make the change to selling consistently.

But those who remain will appreciate your value. They"re also savvy enough to know you"re not in a social relationship. You"re promoting your business.

Okay, a couple of times a year, you might send out a good-will message with hot tips or holiday wishes. Your readers will appreciate what you send. But I"m willing to bet most of them won"t care if you throw in a special offer, too.