|
 Just as an experiment, a friend of
mine subscribed 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 subscribed 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 wont 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.
|
