Just as an experiment, a friend of mine subscribed to ten different opt-in e-mail
marketing lists to see which ones are effective.
Many websites and online businesses have resorted to sending promotional materials
to people who have subscribed to them in an effort to boost their sales or traffic.
Opt-in email marketing sends newsletters, catalogs updates and many more promotional
materials to website visitors who have agreed to be updated whether monthly, weekly
or semiannually.
Through e-mail, an internet user that is on the list will receive their updates
through email. If a promotional material piques their interest they will go to the
site to learn more or to purchase outright.
For the website operators or owners, this is a chance to remind their list of their
existence and parlor their wares. With the numerous sites in the internet that offer
the same products or services in one way or the other, the competition can get pretty
tight and it is easy to be forgotten.
Back to my experimenting friend, he tried to find out which opt-in marketing strategies
grabbed a person into begging for more. Some would send to him in very simple fashion,
some would send in very outlandish fashion, while there are some that would just
lie in between.
The differences could easily be noticed and some have gotten the idea of an effective
opt-in marketing strategy. He dubbed them effective because he felt like he just
couldn't wait to go their site and learn more, the more persuasive ones even got
him halfway to reaching for his wallet and to his credit card before he realized
this was only for an experiment.
Many companies and sites present their promotional materials in a wide variety of
concepts. Each has their own distinctive style and designs, but more than the outline
and the presentation, the content and the articles are what keeps the attention
of your potential customer locked on to your opt-in marketing medium. Creativity
is the key here.
From talking to many satisfied opt-in list subscribers and forums, I have learned
of what is essential in opt-in marketing and what makes the subscribers begging
for more instead of lining up to unsubscribe.
Keep your promotional materials light, creative and original. Many people are stressed
out as it is. Getting a stuffy business proposal rather than a light hearted e-mail
may just agitate them more. A warm friendly smile or banter is always more welcome
than a serious business meeting or proposal.
While you do want your customers to take you and your products and services seriously,
you also want to show them that you know how to have fun.
Splash some color into your emails as well as providing some photos and articles
that can be related to you. Show good news or good light hearted images as well.
Provide a newsletter or promotional materials that will keep them in a light mood.
Make your materials eye catching and so grabbing that they wont be able to take
their eyes off them. Pique their interests.
Have good content and articles, even if it means investing in an experienced and
professional copy writer to write them for you. An effective copy writer should
be able to build trust between you and your customers. They should be able to establish
your credibility in what they write. It must be informative but not too stuffy.
Let go of the professional jargons and "talk"to your recipients.
A good article and content should be able to outline the benefits of your product
and services and why they need what you are offering. But do not look to be overeager
and too persuasive. It should be able to entertain as well as lead them to buying
from you.
Your promotional materials should be clear. Don't leave people guessing. You should
lead them to you and not vice versa. Explain to them what they need to do in a manner
that won't be confusing. Try to anticipate also what your target client needs. Do
your research and information gathering, many sites will be able to help you with
that.
Provide clear and crisp images of what you are offering. If the people know what
you have for them, they are more likely to beg for more. For example, if you are
selling a car, provide them with photos, but only enough to encourage them to go
to your site for more.
