Businesses began using opt in email lists in an effort to reach potential consumers while avoiding bulk mailings of unsolicited email advertisements, also known as spam. Opt in email simply means that a person is interested in receiving email pertaining to a specific topic or product and that they have the option of unsubscribing at any time. These opt in emails contain information and advertisements such as business newsletters, coupons and special announcements on sales events as well as new products and upgrades to existing products.
Opt in email requires the user to register by confirming their email address. Often an opt in will require two separate actions, supplying an email address and then confirming the desire to join the opt in email list by clicking a link in the email once it arrives to insure that no one can claim to have been spammed.
Opt in email advertising is much more cost effective than use of regular mail for direct marketing or the expense of telemarketing. Postage and phone bills can add up quickly and these services often require the added expense of employees. Even if you were to pay a fee for opt in email advertising services, it will still cost less than the continued overhead and expenses of the more traditional methods of getting the word out there.
The Pros and Cons of Opt In
Opt in email marketing may not be the answer for everyone. While it may provide a quick and simple solution to your advertising needs, some businesses encounter less than reputable opt in marketing companies that simply sell lists of email addresses without the owner's approval. Email addresses are often harvested from many online sources, and it is difficult to know for sure where these email lists were obtained.
A reputable opt in mailing firm will offer to complete the mailings for you, and send your ads to email lists that they obtain legitimately. It is doubtful that they would give away or sell lists that have taken so much work to compile. Finding people that actually agree to be part of an opt-in email list are not easy to find because most people are afraid that once they give out their email address they leave themselves open for all sorts of junk mail.
Also, be aware that there are federal laws to help prevent spamming. Make sure you understand the laws surrounding opt in email lists and if you do hire a company to handle your advertising make sure they are experienced and reputable. You want to avoid trouble with the Federal Trade Commission and maintain your good reputation.
An opt in email list can be the answer for many companies and a way to connect products or services with potential customers. It's a method to provide added value in the form of coupons or discounts as well as maintaining good customer relations If used responsibly an opt in email list can be a conduit between your business and the world.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a website that i can send out 1000 emails ...
By: rodeo | 14-08-2008
is there a website that i can send out 1000 emails or more to my list
How Do I Get An Email List for My Autoresponder
By: Richard | 21-07-2008
How Do I Get An Email List for My Autoresponder
Need to implement bulk mailing on my site for my users informing them about new offers
By: vijen | 25-04-2008
m developing a site using asp.net, I need to implement bulk mailing on my site for my users.... How can I do that?????
Email issues
By: Natalie D. | 23-04-2008
I sent my email addresses to a teacher in Madrid (we have confirmed a partnership between our classrooms). I sent her my students' email addresses at the end of last week. She says that she had some students on her end attempt emails to my students and they were not successful. Furthermore, they received a message saying that they could not email my students without being connected to my classroom via a project. What can I do? Natalie DiAngelo
Pop server?
By: hueyconstruct | 23-04-2008
i have AOL as my ISP, i want to use outlook express for email; however i do not know my server?
30 mb emails
By: dlee | 20-04-2008
i would like a email program that would let me send 20 to 30 mb emails
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