Build or Buy--Should You Build Your Own Opt-in Email List?

The easiest way to acquire an email list for your ezine or email marketing is just to buy one. They're not too expensive, and they provide you with a long list of names and email addresses.

But if there is one thing I've learned as the owner of an ezine, it is that the easy road is not always the one that brings you the best results. The problem with buying an email list is that none of the people on that list know who you are. When they receive an email from you, most likely they will just delete it without bothering to open it.

That is why it is so beneficial to build your own opt-in email list. Yes, creating a list from scratch is the more difficult and time-consuming solution, but at least it is a solution. Email lists rarely bring the desired results, so the money you spend on them might as well be flushed down the toilet.

Email marketing and ezine distribution isn't about blasting a bunch of strangers with sales pitches and information they don't want and didn't ask for. If you really want to achieve results with your email list, you need to build your own.

Here is a list of questions you need to ask yourself when building your email list:

*Who is your target audience and what do you have to offer them?

*What kind of relationship do you want with the recipients of your emailings?

*What method or methods will you use to collect email addresses? Web forms, registration or subscription forms, trade shows, telephone contacts and sales calls are all viable ways to get the email addresses of people who will be interested in what you have to offer.

*Will your emails come in the form of ads, newsletters, deals and specials, company announcements and press releases, or discussion lists?

*Will you handle the creative aspects of your mailings, such as copywriting and editing, or will you need a little help?

Once you're ready to start building your list, use outside lists to help you get started. You can recruit opt-in list members by renting an opt-in list to send out an announcement. You could also try taking out an ad in a targeted email newsletter or discussion list.

About The Author

Mohamed Rabea is the owner of one of the Internet's most popular home based business and marketing websites, available from http://www.bizpeak.com & http://www.bizpioneer.com

---

How Opt-in Email Marketing Helps You In Your Online Business

The consumer of today is increasingly bombarded by marketing messages... Read More

Virtual Marketing in a Tangible World

One of the greatest challenges facing business owners and managers... Read More

The Opt-In Secret

Everyone knows that in order to be successful online you... Read More

Some Simple Sure-fire Strategies to Construct a Responsive Opt in List!

A responsive opt in list is an unbelievably powerful money-maker... Read More

10 Persuasive Triggers To Plug Into Your Ad

1. Most people want to win over others. Tell your... Read More

Email Marketing: How Much is Too Much?

I have a special new email address. It's in addition... Read More

4 Steps To 1,000.. 2,000..3,000 Subscribers In Days!

Everyone who has been marketing online for sometime already know... Read More

Attract New Subscribers With Magnetic Ads

One of the most effective methods of advertising your e-zine... Read More

Harnessing the Power of Email Marketing

Given the inherent problems with traditional marketing techniques, it`s important... Read More

Say More Than Thank You

Most Websites are gathering e-mail addresses. When you submit your... Read More

Top 3 Reasons Why RSS Is Better Than Email

Everyone is talking about RSS. Blogs, newsites and the like... Read More

Using A Simple Idea to Target Your Audience

A wonderfully easy and free concept that many people seem... Read More

Confessions Of An Info Junkie

I love the Internet! Information about any topic that piques... Read More

Lesson #1: Autoresponders 101

What the heck is an autoresponder?An autoresponder is much like... Read More

Masterful E-mail Marketing

There are more than 100 million e-mail users in the... Read More

Ten Tips for Email Marketers

Here are the ten most important tips to ensure you're... Read More

How Effective is Your Email? How Can You Tell?

Is your email getting to your list members? If so,... Read More

Successful Advertising

Most folks starting out on the Internet have tried free... Read More

Email Marketing - Whats the Situation in April 2005?

Email is still the King in Internet marketing. Many people... Read More

Creating Effective Opt-in E-Mail Campaigns

It's been said before, but important to re-emphasize, e-mail is... Read More

The Ultimate Self-Promotion Tool Is Right at Your Fingertips: An E-mail Newsletter

If you're looking for low-cost ways to promote your business... Read More

Email Marketing - How Best To Manage and Distribute Your Messages

This holiday season 15 percent of consumers in the US... Read More

Top 10 Business E-Mail Basics

When it comes to your business e-mail communications, you need... Read More

Guidelines For A New Sending Paradigm - Part 1 of 5 - Treat Email as a True Risk and Cost Center

Sustainable email sending programs in an inherently hostile environment now... Read More

The Lowdown: How To Create And Send HTML Email

I am frequently asked how to create and send HTML... Read More

4 Tips On Taming Your Email

I remember when I was first introduced to email. I... Read More

How To Create An Irresistible Subject Line For Your Next E-mail Promotion

As I logged into my e-mail account, I clicked on... Read More

To Personalize Or Not To...That is the Question

If you are really interested in conducting a successful, effective... Read More

Achieve Success With Your Own Money - Making Newsletter

To be successful with a newsletter, you have to specialize... Read More

How To Create Gold With Email Promotions - Part 2

Don't forget people are so busy now they will only... Read More

Building Relationships Takes Time: Overcoming the Overnight Surge Urge

Whenever we talk to a new or a "we hope... Read More

Does Punctuation Really Matter in Email?

So much depends on choosing the correct mark of punctuation... Read More

Email Etiquette V

Further to my previous issues this subject continues ? as... Read More