·Use double opt-in registration There are two standard methods for online registration, single and double opt-in. Single opt in requires that you enter an email address into a web site and click on sign up or subscribe button. With double opt in you will be sent an email to address you have used when signing up and you will need to click a link on it in order to verify that you wish to receive publication. Double opt-in is preferred method because it requires confirmation and therefore establishes that it is owner of email address that has signed up.

·Link to your privacy policy Place a link to your privacy policy near to your list subscribe form. Your policy should describe how you handle information you collect and how people can contact you in case they have any concerns or questions. It is also a good idea to confirm that their information will not be sold, rented or passed on in any way to any third parties.

Maintaining your subscriber list: ·Send a welcome message to each new subscriber When you receive a subscription request, send a welcome message immediately. Include a description of what they will receive and how frequently, and how to unsubscribe. It is also a good idea to try to get them to return immediately to your web site. You can offer a timed discount or a link to previous free articles, anything you think that might get them to look again at your offering.

·Keep accurate sign-up records Occasionally you or your Internet service provider (ISP) may receive a spam complaint from someone who forgot they subscribed to your list. Keep accurate records that include date and web address from which they signed up. Using a third party mailing service should prevent this.

·Ask your members to opt in again if you are using an older list If you have not sent a mailing for a while, ask subscribers to indicate that they want to continue to remain on your list by sending you an email, clicking a link or visiting a web page. Make it as simple as possible to reaffirm their interest to avoid losing potential customers.

·Remind people that they subscribed Include a standard heading each time you send a message. A short note such as “Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter” will remind recipients that they requested your mailings and that content of newsletter will be of interest to them.

Producing an effective newsletter: ·Avoid spam terms in your subject line and message text If your message contains words frequently used by spammers, people will delete it and possibly file a spam complaint. ISPs often filter emails with suspicious subject lines; also note that it is illegal to use deceptive or misleading ones. Avoid obvious spam words like “free” and if in doubt, good mailing services offer a free spam check facility prior to your newsletter being sent out. They will actually scan newsletter and alert you to any words that might set off spam filters.

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·Include your physical address and phone number Put your phone number and postal address in your message. This allows readers to contact you to place an order or inquire about your services. In addition, legislation in some countries requires that physical addresses are included on commercial email messages.

·Send your mailings regularly Keep in touch with your subscribers frequently so they don’t forget they signed up to receive your mailings. They will begin to anticipate your messages if you adhere to a regular schedule.

·Reply promptly to each inquiry or spam complaint If you receive an inquiry or a spam complaint, respond to it as soon as possible. Always include subscriber’s sign-up information with your response. Following these simple suggestions will help you retain your subscriber base, which is fundamental for a thriving permission-based electronic newsletter or marketing campaign. If you are considering using a third party mailing service, I would recommend that VerticalResponse's iBuilder is email marketing solution you need to build your opt-in mailing lists, publish your online newsletters and manage your direct email advertising campaigns, right from your browser. Click link for a free trail: http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=EavljUFQjXk&offerid=52409.10000007&type=1&subid=0

5. Cross-registration. Subscribers can also be found by having an advert for my newsletter on thank you page of a comparable (but not directly competitive) website. This offer is made to subscribers who have just signed up for another newsletter and are therefore deemed 'in mood for more.' Offer a swap with an advert on your sites thank you page, but try not to list no more than one or two other newsletters and make sure they are quality, reliable publications that interest your target market. Keep copy brief and simple, i.e.: "If you like our newsletter, you may be interested in one on a similar topic provided by our partner...."

6. Create a bonus product for other web sites to use. Similar to giveaway point above, why not put together a selection of your previous newsletter articles and package them as a free ebook. Let other web sites give this ebook away as a bonus with sales of their products or services. Make sure you include sensational descriptive copy about your newsletter, and a subscribe link at end of your ebook.

7. Allow reprints. Allow any newsletter that wants to reprint your articles do so. You can end each article with line: You may reprint this article in your own magazine or website provided that it is reproduced in its entirety and all links are left intact. You may want to keep track of who is reproducing your newsletter so that you can email them future issues for publication. In this case, simply ask them to email you for permission. Alternatively, you can submit your newsletters to syndication agents and let anyone who wants to use it pick it up from there.

8. Add a registration button or link to all e-mail correspondence. Make sure you add an advert for your newsletter to your email signature. Don’t forget to include it on all responses to enquiries, customer service correspondence, confirmations, and invoices, etc. More broadly, request e-mail addresses at every customer touch point. The aim is to broaden customers' view of your firm. Integrating e-mail addresses acquired offline may be a manual process, but research shows customer purchases increase with number of channels used.

9. Include a "forward to a friend" button. Put a forward option on every newsletter. This way your current subscribers, often trusted sources that wouldn't steer friends wrong, act as your spokespeople.

10. Add a registration box or link to all e-newsletters. Add box or link to top and bottom of newsletter. Although this may sound redundant as recipient is already receiving your e-mail, consider pass-along effect. Building an e-mail list is an ongoing process and possibilities for expansion are endless. Always try new initiatives to improve results, and if you try even half of these techniques on a regular basis you should find your subscriber rates improve dramatically. Don’t forget, as your list grows you will find it easier to outsource management of it. I would recommend Vertical Response whom we have used for several years to manage our lists. Using your browser you can build your opt-in mailing lists, publish your online newsletters and manage your direct email advertising campaigns. Click link for a free trail: http://click.linksynergy.com/fs-bin/click?id=EavljUFQjXk&offerid=52409.10000007&type=1&subid=0