What is Opt-in?
Opt-in is an approach to e-mail marketing in which customers must explicitly request to be included in an e-mail campaign or newsletter. The people subscribed to a mailing list have asked to receive the information or advertising. Double Opt-In means the person requesting information must confirm their desire to receive it by responding to an email message after subscribing.

How You Come In
During the data collection process, subscribers voluntarily disclose their personal information, and have access to view a privacy policy stating that their information could be shared with third parties that have "customer relationships" with the individual. You can become that 'third party' by purchasing lists from email brokers.

Some of the Benefits:

Cost
Opt-in is a very cost-effective form of marketing. It costs significantly less than direct mail or telemarketing. Example: Direct mail costs between $.70 and $1.00 per contact whereas Opt-in email only costs from $.05 to $.20 per contact using opt-in brokers. Using email marketing is also much easier than time-consuming search engine optimization and banner ad campaigns for a web site.

Speedy
Not only does Online Marketing yield a higher response rate, but you can see the results almost immediately. Opt-in email campaigns are quick! From concept to final transmission, an entire email campaign can take as little as 2 days. (Imagine creating a brochure, mailing it and receiving feedback in a day. Impossible!)

Qualified Audience
Unlike any other media, opt-in email is sent only to individuals who have asked to receive information about their specific areas of interest. It is strictly permission based and demands the readers' sole attention as it communicates to users when they are interested and ready to read on their own time. Because of the willing audience, Online marketing can yield substantially higher response rates than traditional mail or telemarketing efforts. Response rates of opt-in email campaigns (generally 3-5%) are much higher than direct mail response rates (1-2%).

Traffic
Well-executed Opt-in email campaigns with effective text, creatives, and copy can increase traffic to your web site as customers click hyperlinks to read more, learn more, and see more of your products.

Utilize Multi-Media
Opt-in email allows for some awesome advertising possibilities through multi-media and hyperlinks. Unlike ad banners or regular old brochures, opt-in emails allow for multiple links to your Web site. You can send prospects to various pages, sections and offers throughout your site. You can also use flash, audio, video, or other multi-media forms in your email to make an even more impressive presentation.

Customer Relationships
Most importantly, you can establish online relationships with your customers, resulting in a higher return on your marketing investments. Customers will hear from you often, staying informed of product changes, new services, and company news as you send out monthly e-zines and newsletters.

Where to Get Lists If you don't already have an opt-in list to send to, you can become a third party partner for a company who does have a list. There are many companies that specialize in this sort of marketing this article has all rights reserved and is copyright by 100 Best and matching up advertisers with lists. They also provide real time stats so you can monitor the effectiveness of your email campaigns.