+ RSSPermission Based Email Marketing
Permission based email marketing has proven to be one of the most effective marketing strategies for small and medium-sized businesses. Recent studies and polls have shown that most merchants who conduct email marketing campaigns consider this method of reaching prospects and customers highly-profitable.
The correct way to conduct an email marketing campaign is implied in the name of the strategy: permission based. Without a prospect's permission, sending an unsolicited email will often be perceived as spam. Once you have a prospect's permission to communicate with him through email, it is important that you follow the following tips to maximize the effectiveness of your email promotional campaigns.
A permission based email list is that list which is a collection of those email ids who have willingly registered into your email marketing campaign and have given you their consent to mail your marketing stuffs into their email account. It is always beneficial to mail through opt-in email lists as the response is much more profitable in these lists.
Permission based email marketing is not spam, because you will only send emails to those customers and prospects that give you permission to send communications to. Sending spam can ruin your organization's reputation and brand value regardless of your company's size, scope, or current image. Compared to spamming, permission-based email marketing is more effective, less intrusive and is received by prospects easier. People can opt-in through a form on your web page, in personal meetings where they add their name, email address and check a "consent" box, or over the phone when it's possible to record proof of the conversation. There are two forms of opt-in mailings, single opt-in and double opt-in.
A single opt-in list is created by inviting members to join via a web form; once they submit the form, they're signed up for the list. A double opt-in requires two explicit actions on the part of the recipient granting permission: First, the recipient must formally opt in by filling in a web form with their name and email address. Next, the recipient will receive a subsequent email confirming if you want to receive further information clicking a link thus confirming that they want to receive your communications. It's the most stringent form of opt-in but ensures that your recipients are who they say they are, and really want to sign up for your communications.
Every permission based email marketing campaign should allow the subscriber (i.e. the person who has give you permission to contact them via email) to "opt-out" of your email list. That is, always provide the subscriber the option of ending the relationship.
If you want to be an Internet marketer with an effective opt-in listing, you must treat your leads like human being-complete with emotion, calling them by their first name (you can actually automate that!), and making them know that beyond marketing, you genuinely care about them. This is not something you do to flatter. It will not pan out properly if you are not as sincere in creating a personal touch to your business.
The disadvantage to the Confirmed Opt-In process is that some prospective subscribers submit the opt-in form with good intentions, then forget they have done it when the second confirmation request arrives and do not follow through. However, in my opinion and experience, losing a few potential subscribers this way is better than gaining a list of so-so subscribers who are not truly interested, or did not want to be on your list in the first place.
