The first step you must do BEFORE starting an opt-in list is to ensure there’s a market for it.

Yes, this applies even to starting a list!

The problem’s many people forget the fundamentals of marketing, don’t let this happen to you.

Do your research to determine if your idea will be profitable.

Check the demand by finding out how many times your targeted keywords are searched for in a given month.

Narrow down to a specific sub-segment of the general market.

In my case, I targeted specifically at people interested in marketing ebooks instead of the general internet marketing crowd.

The MOST important factor in any opt-in marketing is really to build a good relationship with your subscribers. Learn to get their trust and credibility with every single mailing you send.

I know you’ve heard this too many times, but how can you actually achieve this?

Here’s the basic “C-C-C Formula” to trust and credibilty I practise: Content

Always always provide quality information, even if you’re using other people’s content. Subscribers are sensitive and smart, give them B.S. and you’ll lose your credibility faster than the next hypey program.

For instance I provide REAL (I read them) marketing ebook reviews and tell it like it is. I’m completely honest, good or bad.

As mentioned, the reviews are NOT sales pitches disguised as content, subscribers get valuable information which benefits them. How?

It saves them time, money and gives them the power to make better buying decisions. It’s really a win-win partnership Charisma Project your character and personality across in your writing.

Show smilies, sad faces etc. but for goodness sake show some emotion!

;-) :-D :-} <GRIN>

The mistake most marketers make in their communcation is to try sounding ‘professional’ and ‘corporate’. Look your subscribers don’t want to deal with men in ties and suits, they’ve probably seen enough of them at work.

They want someone who can put them at ease while giving them the benefits they seek – let that someone be you! :-D

Consistency

Another important area you must note is to be consistent with your mailings.

Send out the ezine or mailing according to schedule. Tell them WHEN they’ll expect an issue and SEND it to them as promised, in this way...

They’ll be EXPECTING it.

This greatly enhances trust and allows a relationship to be developed rapidly. It also greatly increases response to your mailing.

For example I tell my subscribers they’ll get a review every Tuesday, and they do get it.

Get to know them and they’ll know you.

Get their trust and they’ll reward you.

It’s really that simple!

So how do you generate high clickthrough rates?

Simply apply the “C-C-C Formula”!

This is one of the most powerful way to getting quick results from your list whenever you send out an offer…

You’d want to create something extra special for them limited to a certain time frame.

This is important. Read that again.

The basic formula is this:

Special Offer / Bonus + Genuine Deadline = HUGE PROFITS

Pay particular attention to the word ‘genuine’ above…

You need to set a genuine deadline for the offer, and stick to it, because you’ll lose your credibility in a second if you don’t!

How would you like to click through to a 24 hour special after 7 days and it’s still there? I know I’d hate it. Stick to the deadline, your subscribers will soon KNOW any offer you provide is genuine and in return, will respond more positively.

If you study the “Project Mousetrap” example I’ve provided, you’ll see exactly how this principle was implemented across a five day time-line.