My People Are Duds!

ters are always concerned with one thing--thespam complaint. Of course, your autoresponder
size of their lists. I mean, don't you check yourservice should have you covered, but even
stats every single day? Let me tell you, when itthough single opt-in is faster, these people will
comes to list building, size definitely matters, butprobably be less responsive.
there's one thing that matters much, much more.The second aspect to consider is whether or not
How responsive is your list?your list members even get your email. Does
When you're gauging your responsivity rate,your autoresponder have a great deliverability
decide how many people from your list buy therate? You'll find that some services are better
products or sign up for programs youthan others. If you can't find these stats on your
recommend. As an example, imagine that youautoresponder's site, then email or call them and
have a 20,000 person list. When you send anask what they are. If your service can't or won't
email, 2,000 of them buy something. That's atell you, consider getting a new service that will.
10% response rate, which is pretty good. YouKnow that your people are receiving your email.
probably won't see a rate that high, but I hopeHow can they buy, if they don't see your offer?
this example shows you what I mean. YourIf they don't see that, how can they possibly
responsivity rate is something that you shouldbuy?
continually strive to improve.Third, consider your "From" line in your email. Will
If your list isn't buying, then don't blame them.your list members know it's from you? I mean, if
The fault might be yours.you send a message from ABCServices, will they
Let's talk about who your subscribers are first.know it's from you? They may figure it's just
Before you started building your list, did youspam and delete it, or it might just find its way to
target your niche market? When you do that,your junk email folder. If that happens, they won't
response rates always improve. Let's say thateven see it at all! Use your own name in the
you sell horse supplies. If you don't build your list"From" line and see if it doesn't increase your
around horse people, chances are that you won'tresponsivity rates.
sell many items. Only people who have horses willFourth, what's your subject line? Does it read,
be interested, right?"Quick, Open This Now!" or "Here's Your FREE
Plus, are the people on your list single or doubleOffer"? Those from lines will send your message
opt-in? Double opt-in subscribers are more highlyright to the spam filter. Pretend that you're
targeted, and they'll be your most loyalsending your message to a friend. Be really
customers. More of them will buy the thingscreative. Don't give them boring marketing pap or
you're selling, too. They have interest in you andthey'll never even open your email.
what you're doing online, and they proved it byNumber five is can you write good copy?
confirming their subscription to your list. SingleCompelling messages get sales, but you really
opt-ins are interested when they see what youshouldn't sell anything in your message at all. Give
have to offer, but when you send that first email,people something interesting. Tell them a story,
they may forget that they even joined your list.and lead them to your squeeze page or sales
They may unsubscribe or in some cases, make apage. Pique their curiosity, don't sell.