Safelist Advertising - Do They Work?

Many new internet marketers began promoting their business by making use
of safelist advertising. Some use them correctly and do manage to see
results, while others fail miserably.  The succesful ones recognize the
limitations of this method for advertising and have resorted to sending
solo safelist ads rather than relying on what's called "list" emails that
members rarely read.

When a marketer joins a safelist he/she generally does so by signing up
for a free account. Upon registration a list and contact email address
must be furnished.  Members must also agree to receive emails from other
members.  These emails normally are received in the list email account and
thousands per day may show up.  The only exception to this is when a solo
ad email is received.  This will appear in the member's contact account.

When emails are received the member clicks on the credit link in the body
of the email and then must view the senders website for 10-20 seconds
before earning credits.  Credits are then earned and can be used to
send emails promoting the member's site to other members.

Here lies the problem...

List emails are rarely read.  Members game the system by scanning the
opened emails for the credit links.  When found, it's right clicked and
sent to "open in new tab".  Sometimes 10-12 emails are opened and the credit
links sent to the opened tab field.  By the time the last tab
is created the required viewing time has expired and all tabs are then
deleted and credits earned from the 10-12 emails.  No email was read and
no websites visited.

The above information should not be seen as a total repudiation of safelist
advertising.  It can be a valuable marketing tool if used properly.

TIPS:

1) Since most list emails won't be read, marketers should send solo emails
to the member's contact list.  Yes, these solo ads will cost money, but
generally not much.  Some safelists allow members to use credits for buying
solo emails.

2) Choose a safelist that limits the number of solo emails sent out per day.
If you belong to a safelist that allows you to send 1,000 emails per day and
that same safelist sends out 40 solo emails to your contact email account
per day, how many credit links will you click on?  The answer is only the
number you need to earn your credits.  Some won't, but many will.  If 20 are
clicked then that means 20 aren't.

3) The subject line in your email should cause the reader to want to open
your email.  This is the most important element of an email.

4) Lengthy emails tend to turn some readers off.  Quickly get to the point.
generally speaking, the more you write the more it appears boring

5) Keep it simple and stay focused. 

Safelist advertising will work, but only if you use them effectively.  If you
take the time to compose an email that draws the reader's attention, your
email stands a better chance of being read.

Don't be apprehensive about trying other methods for promoting your internet
business. Read articles describing other methods, such as, marketing with
articles, pay for view, and banner advertising

The more tools you have in your marketing toolbox the more successful your
business will be.

John Blume
http://www.ezworkbiz.com/john.html