Strategies to Increase Your Email Newsletter Opt-in Rate

If you are a newbie internet marketer or a veteran who is not satisfied with the size of your email list, you're in good company. There are thousands of us out there who strive to get new prospects to opt-in to our newsletters or to download our free products. While the process can be frustrating for the newbie and veteran alike, a little knowledge can be your best friend. By learning and implementing these great strategies you can grow your email list and be on your way to success.

Develop a reputation as an expert in your niche. People will be much more likely to opt-in to your newsletter if they are convinced you know what you are talking about and that you can help them succeed. Before you ask them to sign up, establish your credentials in the field first. Work to be recognized as an authority in your chosen niche. While this task can be fairly easy, it will take some time.

Your first task is to provide plenty of valuable content on your web site or blog that will convince your prospects of your expertise and of their need for it. If possible, ask your existing or previous customers to leave positive feedback or testimonials on your site. You can also develop your own information products within your niche. These products can be given away as incentives for prospects to opt-in to your list.  These should be products with quality content real value to the reader, not junk filler.  If not, your prospects will realize you are simply hunting for email addresses not really trying to help.

Honesty, sincerity and genuine caring is the best policy. It won't matter if you are the foremost expert in your niche, if your prospects don't trust you or don't think you care, your success will be limited. Take the time to answer prospect's questions, participate in forum discussions and generally be helpful. Go the extra mile for your prospects. It may be inconvenient at times but the good will you build will go a long way in building your email list.

Provide benefits that are only available to your subscribers. You can convince more prospects to opt-in to your newsletter, if you can convince them that you can provide value to them that no one else can. This can be in the form of a free giveaway, special discounts and services or special access to your expertise. Be creative and think out of the box in this area. If you can stand out from the myriad of others in your niche, you have a much greater chance for success.

Assure your subscribers their information is secure. Make it a priority that your prospects know that you will not share their contact information with any one else without their permission. Period! Make it clear that you hate spam as much as they do. If they think that you have leaked their information on to others, that prospect is likely lost forever. State this policy clearly and obviously on your web site, blog, newsletter and e-mails.

Make it easy for your subscribers to opt-out of your list. While it is your goal to keep people satisfied and on your list, you don't want to make them think that they're obligated to subscribe any longer than they want. If a subscriber can easily opt out, they will be more willing to re-subscribe should you offer something they value in the future. If they must fight to be removed from your list, they will be lost forever.

Every part of your subscriber's experience with you should be positive. It should be as easy to opt-out as it was to opt-in. Make sure the means to do so is obviously placed on your web site, blog, newsletter and e-mails. Once they have opted-out, be sure to follow up with them. Send a friendly email informing them that their information has been removed and that you hope to have the pleasure of doing business with them again in the future.

Take good care of your current subscribers. You want your subscribers to speak highly of you to everyone they know. Word of mouth advertising is still one of the most effective and inexpensive forms of advertising around. Taking good care of your subscribers also helps guarantee an ongoing relationship that will be mutually beneficial for you both.

While many of these suggestions are obvious, it can be easy to lose sight of these fundamentals when you are caught up in the details of building your list and your business. It may be tempting to cut corners in the name of expediency and making a profit. Be assured, however, that taking the time to care for your subscribers and to build your list the right way will pay many more dividends in the long run.

More information about successful email list building and email marketing can be found on the Richard Stephen.com blog.