How to Build an Opt-In List - Part 1

In this part of the series - How to build an opt-in list, we will cover some of the important questions about building an opt-in list.

What is an opt-in list?

An opt-in list is a list of people who have requested to receive more information from you on the specific issue/product/service/anything else that you offer. Consider this offline world equivalent of an opt-in list member:

You go to a Gucci store (I hope you don't, because it's an absolute waste of money). You get a form and fill it out for their monthly catalog. Now you have requested more information or service, and are an opt-in member of their monthly catalog list.

Why is an opt-in list important?

Whatever you're doing online, if it's something that has to do with people, you'll need a way to get in touch with them. That's exactly what this is - probably one of the best ways to get in touch with people. This is especially important for an internet marketer or someone who has a site about products that need exposure.

Is it not SPAM?

Opt-in lists and SPAM are almost synonymous anymore, but unfairly so. Generally, a few unscrupulous companies sell the e-mail addresses that they get to other companies, and suddenly you're being bombarded with mails from opt-in lists that you never opted into. Consider the offline example:

Let's say that the Gucci store employee sold your address as a potential customer to GAP. Now suddenly you're receiving a monthly catalog from GAP as well. This is similar to SPAM.

Why can't I just buy a list?

Because then, you're more than likely doing what you hate - SPAM. Secondly, these bought opt-in list members are generally very ineffective because of the number of people who buy the same e-mail addresses and the same people are bombarded with junk from all over the net.

How effective is list building?

It is more effective than most other forms of advertising. But it is not as effective as it once was because of a few reasons:

-SPAM filters that block much of legit email as well.

People have grown sick of so much mail from bad sources.

The mentality that people on an opt-in list are stupid and can be taken for all that they are worth.

These three reasons together make opt-in list advertising much weaker than it could've, would've and should've been, especially in the absence of the last reason.

How easy is it to build a list?

It can be very easy or very hard depending on the subject of the opt-in list, the competition, the demand, the quality and how well you follow the process of building an opt-in list. This is process that will take patience and hard work. You can build an opt-in list of about 5000 people in a month or two if you're diligent and consistent.

Is there a short-cut?

Yes and no. A lot depends on your topic too. One way to get an opt-in list quickly is to use a program like yourluckylist (here's the review and how it works). However, every one on these lists is generally interested in business opportunities and this isn't a good way to build an opt-in list for something other than business opportunities.

In the next part of the series - How to build an Opt-in List, we will look at the tools and expenses that you would incur when building an opt-in list.