Just as an experiment, a friend of mine subscribe to ten different opt-in e-mail marketing lists to see which ones are effective. Many websites and online businesses have resorted to sending promotional materials to people who have subscrembed to them in an effort to boost their sales or traffic. Opt-in email marketing sends newsletters, catalogs updates and many more promotional materials to website visitors who have agreed to be updated whether monthly, weekly or semiannually.
Through
e-mail, an internet user that is on the list will receive their updates through
email. If a promotional material piques their interest they will go to the site
to learn more or to purchase outright. For the website operators or owners,
this is a chance to remind their list of their existence and parlor their
wares. With the numerous sites in the internet that offers the same
products or services in one way or the other, the competition can get pretty
tight and it is easy to be forgotten.
Back to
my experimenting friend, he tried to find out which opt-in marketing strategies
grabbed a person into begging for more. Some would send in very simple fashion,
some would very outlandish while there are some that would just lie in between.
The differences could easily be noticed and some have gotten the idea of an
effective opt-in marketing strategy. He dubbed them effective because he felt
like he just couldn�t wait to go their site and learn more, the more persuasive
ones even got him halfway to reaching for his wallet and to his credit card
before he realized this was only for an experiment.
Many
companies and site present their promotional materials in a wide variety of
concepts. Each has their own distinctive style and designs, but more than the
outline and the presentation, the content and the articles are what keeps the
attention of your potential customer locked on to your opt-in marketing medium.
Creativity is the key here.
From
talking to many satisfied opt-in list subscribers and forums, I have learned of
what is essential in opt-in marketing and what makes the subscribers begging
for more instead of lining up to unsubscribe.
Keep your
promotional materials light, creative and original. Many people are stressed
out as it is. Getting a stuffy business proposal rather than a light hearted
e-mail may just agitate them more. A warm friendly smile or banter is always
more welcome than a serious business meeting or proposal. While you do want
your customers to take you and your products and services seriously, you also want
to show them that you know how to have fun.
Splash
some color in your emails as well as provide some photos and articles that can
be related to you but show good news or good light hearted images as well.
Provide a newsletter or promotional materials that will keep them in a light
mood. Make your materials eye catching and grabbing that they won�t be able to
take their eyes of them. Pique their interests.
Have good
content and article, even if it means investing in an experienced and
professional copy writer to write them for you. An effective copy writer should
be able to build trust between you and your customers. They should be able to
establish your credibility in what they write. It must be informative but not
too stuffy. Let go of the professional jargons and �talk �to your recipients.
A good
article and content should be able to outline the benefits of your product and
services and why they need what you are offering. But do not look to be
overeager and too persuasive. It should be able to entertain as well as lead
them to buying from you.
Your
promotional materials should be clear. Don�t leave people guessing. You should
lead them to you and not vice versa. Explain to them what they need to do in a
manner that won�t be confusing. Try to anticipate also what your target client
needs. Do your research and information gathering, many sites will be able to
help you with that.
Provide clear and crisp images of what you are offering. If the people know what you have for them, they are more likely to beg for more. For example, if you are selling a car, provide them photos but only enough to encourage them to go to your site for more
Article by: Clem C. Benton, Jr.
http://www.12path.com/98/mar/