Most mailing lists nowadays use double opt-in subscription.
You’ve probably seen the double optin in practice yourself. You enter your name and email address into an opt-in form on a website, then you get an email asking you to click a link to confirm that you actually want to subscribe. You click the link and you’re added to the mailing list.
In the US, the double opt-in is a legal requirement when you build a subscriber list, but even if you’re outside the US you still need to use double opt-in. Here is why: It protects you from accusations of spam, and also means that people can’t enter a fake email address into your opt-in box simply to gain access to your free product.
Each mailing list you create should be double opt-in. This is the default choice in most autoresponders, and the whole process is managed by them.
Double opt-in however creates a new problem – actually getting people to confirm their subscription!
Many people enter their details into the opt-in box but never get around to confirming it.
And unless they do, you can’t send them any emails!
A key reason for this is that they don’t know they have to or don’t know how. Having a simple message which appears immediately after they subscribe and explains what they have to do can vastly increase the number of confirmed subscriptions you get.
What Makes a Great One Time Offer?
OTO is short for One Time Offer. A OTO is perhaps the most used way to monetize a mail subscription list.
Making people a one time offer immediately after they sign up to your list is a great thing to do and is something that every internet marketer should implement.
When people sign up to your list they are hot about you. They have been interested enough in you and your freebie to give you their name and email address, so it’s a great time to sell something to them while the interest is there.
So what makes a great one time offer (OTO)?
1.)Something related to the freebie
A great OTO should be related in some way to the original offer. People are obviously interested in it or they wouldn’t be signing up so don’t then make the mistake of offering them something completely different. What about an ‘advanced’ version of the freebie or let’s say you’re offering a free report in exchange for their name and email address – offer them the audio course as a one time offer.
2.)Something with a high value but low price
Your one time offer should have a high value (actual value as well as perceived) but be offered at a much lower price than it is worth. This creates the irresistible factor and creates a great relationship with the customer once they have bought it because they (should) be delighted with the value you have given them.
3.)Create urgency and scarcity
By its very nature a one time offer creates a sense of scarcity and urgency in the mind of the viewer but make sure you make it abundantly clear. Tell them they won’t see the offer again and that they must buy now if they want to take advantage of it.
4.)A OTO must be presented well
People buy products that look great and sound great – so spend some time or money getting good quality graphics made. Make sure your sales copy is up to scratch too – really sell the product.
