Building an opt in email list is the most powerful income generating tool you can create. It seems in this day of blog mania, this most effective means of creating income has been forgotten by many. Email list marketing can be your road to financial freedom, but first you need a targeted email list!

WHY IS CREATING AN OPT IN EMAIL LIST SO POWERFUL?

It is a common saying among affiliate marketers. It goes something like this: “The Money Is in the list”. I will make a better and say “Your Targeted email list is Where The Riches Are Real. ”

A simple saying that rings true, even in this day and age. Probably more so with the amount of Garbage circulating around the internet.

The reason for an opt in email list that you create carries so much power is because people who have opted into your list has any confidence in you and the product they are registered. Provided that they are satisfied with what they signed up for. If you want them, you can forget about them to buy something from you again!

Survey after survey reveals that people are more likely to buy from companies they have bought from before. (yes, I know, big DUH), but people are also more likely to buy from a company or website where they got some valuable service or downloaded a free e-book that they found useful.

If two websites are selling an identical product and one site has an opt in email list and the other doesn’t, the Internet shopper will more than likely choose the site that recommended the product or a site they feel safe with over the site they’ve never heard of. This is why it’s important to have a list of subscribers to push your best deals to. Not only is it a benefit for them, it’s a huge monetary benefit for you.

HERE ARE MY 7 TIPS TO BUILDING AN OPT IN EMAIL LIST

Publish an Online Newsletter Publishing a newsletter once or twice per month can have people lined up ready to give you their e-mail addresses. It is important that you use a service like Constant Content or Aweber. These companies will give you a sign up form and automatically handles all of your sign up for e-do for you. Think of it like building a targeted opt in email list automatically. So all you need to do is to create newsletters and press “Post”and you’re done. Simple as that.

Write an Money eBook or Special Report and Give It Away-The eBook does not need to be a War and Peace type of eBook, a special report of 5-15 pages to create a flood of new e-mail if it is a timely and valuable content. Junkola or regurgitated “free” eBooks or special reports that are easily available on the internet or PLR websites will be of “unsubscribe” link burning up with people afraid of you and offer reporting as spam. Write, or pay someone to write a valuable part of the content!
Stalk The Forums – Chances are your niche has any number of Internet forums you could visit and participate in. One of my blogs/websites has to do with construction tools. I found about a dozen forums where I could participate. Use a signature link to drive people to your site (if the forums will allow it, some don’t) If the forums do not allow signature links, you can always wait for the opportunity to post a link to a helpful page on your site. Most forums will allow you to post a link in your user Profile as well. Even if you can’t post links, if you’re helpful enough and post quality suggestions to peoples problems, they’ll check your Profile to find out more about you and come across a link to your site. Don’t underestimate Forums!
Content Is Still King – Yes, I just checked and King Content is still reigning on his throne. Write quality content and people will want more of what you have to offer. This makes it much easier for them to trust you with their email address.
Use Articles To Create A Flood Of New Subscribers – I’ve discussed the advantages of article marketing before. If you follow the advice in that article, you can have a steady stream of new subscribers beating a path to your sign up form month after month. Article marketing sets you out as an expert in your niche. People trust experts!
People Are Lazy, Make It Easy For Them To Give You Their Email Address- Face it, we’re lazy. Having said that, you need to make it as easy as possible for people to sign up for whatever you’re offering. I can’t tell you the number of times I visit a blog or website and immediately want to know more about the niche and I search and search for a newsletter or other sign up form and can’t find one. Put the sign up form above the fold and as close to the content as possible. I use borders, graphics and colored text to draw attention to my sign up forms. Make it easy by providing links to the form as well. Be sure to list the benefits of signing up, ie; will they get free stuff or “can’t find it anywhere else secrets”?
If all else fails, buy a mailing list, there are a number of list brokers out there. Some of these can be expensive. Some are very cheap. Be careful on the list you buy. You do not want to buy a list from a spammer who sent people hundreds of spam emails. Buy from a quality list broker and ensure that the list is opt-in e-mail list. A double opt in email list is even better.
Bonus Tip: If you have a very good product or service, contact people who already have a list and offer them a cut of the profits. Expect to fork over anywhere from 40 to 60% of the profits to have them promote your product or service to their list. This may sound steep, but remember, it’s the list they built and the people on his list trust them. They are more likely to buy from your joint venture partner if he / she supports the product. Consider it a wise investment, because you will be able to jump start your own list of buyers of the joint venture.