The Best Ways to Build an Opt-in List Part I
There are several techniques that can be used to build an opt-in list ranging from ezine advertising to pay per click advertising.
However, these methods can cost money and the best ways to build an opt-in list are the free ways, since you can run them as often and for as long as you like without any financial expenditure.
It is generally recognized by internet marketers that by far the best way to build an opt-in list is to generate traffic to your website, and direct visitors to a squeeze page.
The squeeze page is a page on your site that is designed specifically to persuade visitors to fill in an opt-in form.
If every person who lands on your site lands on your squeeze page first, then every visitor is potentially a member of your list.
All you have to do is to persuade them to fill in the form before they leave the page.
There are a number of tricks you can use to achieve this.
If you take the view that your squeeze page is a sales page, and design it accordingly, then you will have a far better chance of success.
Hence, it should have a title or headline, and a list of benefits for providing the email address.
You should also offer something in exchange, such as a free newsletter, email course or even a free ebook.
There is always the danger that somebody will sign up just for the free gift, but that's a chance you take.
You have to make sure that your first communication is sufficiently compelling as to persuade even the least interested not to click on the unsubscribe button, and continue to allow you to keep in touch.
In fact your first communication after your visitor has joined your list is the most important of them all.
That is what will keep them interested or prompt them to unsubscribe, and you should put a lot of thought into it.
Perhaps provide the first part of a regular course on a popular aspect of your niche, for example, or set up a competition with a prize for the ultimate winner.
Anything will do that persuades your visitor to stay with you.
Although a squeeze page is the most popular means of building a list, another good way is to offer a product for sale at a discount price, or even free of charge.
This could be part of your squeeze page, or even be placed prominently on each of your website pages.
There is no reason why you should not offer a free gift on every page in return for the email address.
However, these methods can cost money and the best ways to build an opt-in list are the free ways, since you can run them as often and for as long as you like without any financial expenditure.
It is generally recognized by internet marketers that by far the best way to build an opt-in list is to generate traffic to your website, and direct visitors to a squeeze page.
The squeeze page is a page on your site that is designed specifically to persuade visitors to fill in an opt-in form.
If every person who lands on your site lands on your squeeze page first, then every visitor is potentially a member of your list.
All you have to do is to persuade them to fill in the form before they leave the page.
There are a number of tricks you can use to achieve this.
If you take the view that your squeeze page is a sales page, and design it accordingly, then you will have a far better chance of success.
Hence, it should have a title or headline, and a list of benefits for providing the email address.
You should also offer something in exchange, such as a free newsletter, email course or even a free ebook.
There is always the danger that somebody will sign up just for the free gift, but that's a chance you take.
You have to make sure that your first communication is sufficiently compelling as to persuade even the least interested not to click on the unsubscribe button, and continue to allow you to keep in touch.
In fact your first communication after your visitor has joined your list is the most important of them all.
That is what will keep them interested or prompt them to unsubscribe, and you should put a lot of thought into it.
Perhaps provide the first part of a regular course on a popular aspect of your niche, for example, or set up a competition with a prize for the ultimate winner.
Anything will do that persuades your visitor to stay with you.
Although a squeeze page is the most popular means of building a list, another good way is to offer a product for sale at a discount price, or even free of charge.
This could be part of your squeeze page, or even be placed prominently on each of your website pages.
There is no reason why you should not offer a free gift on every page in return for the email address.
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