You heard message before. Your e-mail list is most important key to your future online success. The best list is a highly targeted and responsive opt--in list. At present, single opt--in method is preferred approach to building a list. However, Internet promoting considerations suggest list owner should use double opt--in or confirmation method to build a list. What is right method for you?

Opt--In Process -----------------

The opt--in process means that an individual has requested to be on your mailing list before you a^dd them. At same time, individual must be given ability to opt--out (unsubscribe) from your mailing list at any time.

In single opt--in method, an individual registers to join your e-mail list by submitting their name and e-mail a^ddress. As a result, individual is giving you their permission to send them e-mail messages that promote specific products and services or discuss specific topics.

In double opt--in or confirmation method, an individual registers to join your e-mail list in same manner as single opt--in method. In response, individual receives an e-mail from you to confirm their e-mail a^ddress. Upon receipt of confirmation e-mail, you a^dd individual to your mailing list. If confirmation e-mail reply is not received, do not a^dd individual to your list. However, you may want to follow-up with non-confirming individuals and give them another chance to confirm.

Autoresponder ------------------

Your autoresponder should have capability to implement double opt--in method. If not, you can setup one very easily. Set up two separate campaigns in your autoresponder (let’s call them “A” and “B”). Campaign “A” receives initial single opt--in request from your visitor. In turn, message from campaign “A” contains a link subscriber clicks to send a confirmation e-mail to campaign “B.” The “blank” e-mail sent to campaign “B” is from subscriber’s “default” e-mail system containing their confirming name and e-mail a^ddress.

Subscriber Relationship ----------------------------

To be successful in e-mail promotions, you must build a personal one-on-one relationship with your prospects or clients. The success in your online mark^eting hinges on maintaining and building this personal relationship. As list owner, you need to establish initial relationship by:

* Obtaining permission from your subscribers to send them promotional messages and other types of useful information * Practicing respect for privacy of your subscribers.

Implicit Opt--In --------------------

An implicit opt--in situation may exist as result of permission that is not granted but is derived from another relationship. An example would be when an individual has previously purchased from you. In this situation, you may be able to send limited but unsolicited e-mails to that individual under this pre-existing relationship. However, this level of implied permission must never be exceeded without expressed consent of individual.

Considerations ------------------

As a list owner, you work hard to drive traffic to your web site and get subscribers to join your list. Individuals respond and decide to join your list. They submit their name and e-mail a^ddress. Great! All that hard work of publishing a newsletter, writing ezine articles and promoting is finally paying off. You have genuine subscribers. Or do you?

As it turns out, some of these new subscribers did not sign-up on your mailing list, do not want to receive your mark^eting messages or forgot they signed up. You run risk of getting sp^am complaints when you send e-mail messages to this group of individuals. This can be a serious problem to your online business. Open your e-mail and look at flood of unwanted messages. Scan and listen to media reports. Sp^am is a continuing problem.

MessageLabs, a provider of e-mail security services, monitors e-mail messages on a worldwide basis. Out of 157 million e-mails tracked in July 2003, they reported that 80 million e-mails were sp^am. That’s a 51 percent sp^am rate. In December 2003, MessageLabs reported a 77 percent increase in year-to-year sp^am volume. These numbers are incredible.

Have you heard saying, "Short-term sacrifice for long-term gain"? It applies here. For just a little effort, you can ensure a practically endless supply of visitors to your site for years to come. And benefits are unbeatable.

Free Exposure

There is absolutely no cost for submitting to most of major search engines like Google. That means you get exceptional exposure in front of people who are looking for what you have to offer. Anybody can afford free.

Targeted Traffic

If you develop your site to focus on specific keyphrases that your customers would use when searching, you can drive extremely targeted traffic to your site. Use tools like Wordtracker (http://www.wordtracker.com) to find out which phrases are most often used to locate sites like yours.

Easy To Learn