What is an Opt In List?

When people subscribe to your mailing list and confirm their opt-in (which is referred to as a “double opt-in” practice) they have explicitly given you permission to send them information via email. This affords you the opportunity to share and promote products to them from time to time.

Spam laws are always evolving, so it is your responsibility as the list owner to ensure you build and email to your list in a responsible manner. Simple steps such as having the subscriber input their own information using an online opt-in form, double opt-in verification, and including an unsubscribe link in every email you send will help keep you compliant. For that reason, it is always in your best interests to ensure that you create your mailing list yourself as opposed to buying one. This way, you will always be assured that the people on your list have some level of interest in your topic.

Remember that your mailing list and how you use it is ultimately a reflection of you and your business. As the saying goes, how you do one thing is how you do everything. This is why it is important to mail to your list in a responsible manner. Avoid sending blatant promotions or advertisements your readers will not have an interest in (meaning they are off-topic) or will not appreciate (for example, being emailed 3 times a day).

Use Your Email Mailing List Wisely

When you use your mail list wisely, you build and strengthen your relationship with your readers, increase their loyalty, and promote positive brand awareness. You accomplish these things by mailing on a consistent schedule, sending information which is informative, helpful and consistent with the topic people are expecting you to mail them about. In terms of your affiliate offers, work them into the content appropriately and/or offer reviews and reasons why you are making a recommendation. A good rule of thumb is to keep the selling email content to no more than 20% of the total emails you send.

Providing incentive to people to join your email list can be accomplished in many different ways. One of the most effective is to offer some kind of valuable information or product for free. This may be through a free report, an ebook, audio or video. Many affiliate marketers participate in or hold their own give away events as a way of list building.

Be sure to make it easy for people to subscribe on your website as well. Include an opt-in form on each page of your website or incorporate a pop-up inviting people to subscribe. As you continue to drive traffic to your website, you will be proactively building your mailing list at the same time. With a little effort and a small investment, you will position yourself to reap the rewards of having built your opt-in mail list indefinitely.