| Numerous companies and individual marketers have | | | | valuable asset in helping you obtain permission. |
| attempted to use the email system as their | | | | 2. Use the Confirmed Opt-in Method |
| promotional medium. Unfortunately, many of them | | | | One of the best ways to approach bulk email is using |
| have been met with resistance from internet users | | | | the confirmed opt-in. This method will give you the |
| who label their marketing message as spam. The term | | | | reassurance that the people on your mailing list actually |
| used to describe unsolicited email, spam has become | | | | want to receive mail from you, virtually eliminating the |
| as common as the internet itself. You just may have a | | | | possibility that someone else used their email address |
| boat load of it waiting in your inbox as we speak. | | | | or any other discrepancies. You can maximize the |
| Spam has grown to be such a controversial issue that | | | | effect by adding an anti-spam and privacy policy |
| permission-based marketing should be a priority for | | | | statement near your confirmation link that explains |
| any marketer. The good thing is that there are ethical | | | | how the subscribers information will be used. It would |
| ways to effectively run a bulk email campaign and | | | | also be a good idea to include instructions that explain |
| acquire the permission needed to reach your target | | | | what the reader needs to do to put you on their |
| audience. Below are three practices we recommend. | | | | whitelist. This is a strategic move that will help prevent |
| 1. Build Your Own Mailing Lists | | | | your mail from being accidentally sent to their trash |
| For the right price, you can build a massive list of email | | | | folder. |
| addresses of people that may be interested in your | | | | 3. Create Valuable Content |
| marketing campaign. In fact, the selling of email | | | | Another great way to the build the quality list you need |
| addresses has become a big business all its own. | | | | for sending email is to offer valuable content. For |
| Although making an investment in such a list will | | | | example, you could create a newsletter, membership |
| undoubtedly provide you with immediate access to a | | | | site, or even a blog that encourages people to sign up |
| large number of potential customers, this approach is | | | | for your campaign. If your content is of great quality |
| not recommended for the marketer looking to run a | | | | and provides value to the reader, acquiring permission |
| permission-based campaign. Instead of purchasing a | | | | could be easier than you imagined. Regardless of the |
| list, build your own internally. Aside from using the sign | | | | method, establishing an ongoing relationship with opt-in |
| up form on your website, collect email addresses at | | | | subscribers means you have to maintain their interest. |
| trade shows and other points of contact with existing | | | | While this can be difficult to achieve, it is not impossible. |
| and potential customers. When doing so, make sure | | | | Remember, you are after long term relationships and |
| that your contacts know exactly how their email | | | | repeat sales, both of which can be achieved by |
| address will be used. An in-house email list can be a | | | | consistently cranking out valuable content. |