The “Reverse Opt-in” Technique

Hello readers!

I know it’s not often that I just hand out information, but I figure it’s something you can use to actually build your list, but to also get a greater amount of response to your mailings.

This technique is nothing new, and I know for a fact that I’ve talked about it before.

It’s called the “Reverse Opt-in” Technique. Many marketers have used this marketing strategy over and over again with great success. All of those big ‘make money online’ gurus use it from time to time, whenever they launch a new product that they expect to make them $1 million.

It’s really simple. Think about how most people have their opt-in/lead capture page. Usually, they saying everything that they want you to hear to get your name and email information, right?

They’ll make outrageous claims that can only be accomplished by signing up for a free report. That’s what usually happens. Honestly, I’m not going to knock it. Why? because I still have many lead capture pages out there on the internet which are still like that

But, when someone does something outside of the ‘mold’, it stands out. The reverse opt-in approach simply does the opposite of what many marketers do. Instead of withholding information until you get the contact info; you actually give them some information right off the bat, to show them that you know what you’re talking about, and that you’re a credible source for information and advice on your niche. After that, you ask for the opt-in for more based off of what you just divulged to them for nothing.

Pretty much, you’re instilling confidence in your potential prospects that you are something worth following. And that by giving you their name and email, not only will they be in touch with you, but that you’ll continue to divulge more valuable content, advice and recommendations.

In other words…give them some valuable content first that they can use right then and there, and then ask for the name and email if they want MORE.

Get it?

The best time to ask someone for their name and email is when they’re TRULY interested and trusting in YOU and what YOU have to say.

Yes, you can get people interested in you by doing what most marketers do…which is withhold information until they get the signup. You can always generate interest by using hype and mystery.

Unfortunately, that doesn’t generate trust…

And that’s the second part of the equation. Usually when people get the initial opt-in, they do one of two things.

1) Work on building trust and a relationship with the subscriber.

2) Start piling on email ads trying to make a buck.

Either way, you might be kicking your own a$$ doing both. It’s obvious that if you start promoting new products to a new subscriber, you’re gonna piss them off and make them unsubscribe. That’s a given.

But working towards building trust through a series of emails, can also work against you as well. To build up trust, you can’t really ask for money right away. And in the meantime, a HUGE portion of your subscribers are gonna get on that ‘free ride’ mentality, and not wanna pay for nothing when you DO ask.

That’s why we have low conversion ratios in the internet marketing industry, like 1-2%.

But think about this…

You initially come off the bat, very confident in yourself, by just throwing valuable information at them. You’re building a relationship with that person right there and then, by showing that you know what you’re talking about; and that you didn’t even force them to do anything at all to obtain the information.

That exudes confidence with your visitors. And even if your visitors do nothing more than absorb the information, and never sign up for anything, you’ve already scored ‘brownie points’ with them. The next time they hear about you, you’ve already broken the trust barrier, and can get a better response from them.

And think of this…

You give them free info for nothing, no purchase, no signup. Of course, you don’t give them ALL the information right there and then.

There should always be MORE to the information.

EXAMPLE: You could have a website that serves as a lead capture page, with a nice letter explaining what ‘private label rights’ are and how anyone could make money from them.

This information is helpful to them, because you just showed them a new avenue to making money from the comfort of their own home.

Of course, to learn the steps to making it all work, they should sign up for your free report on how to set it up.

Then naturally, you have the report showing them how to do it, how to edit, revise, and create a new digital product from PLR. Now, you advertise the source of private label products, so they can get started right now.

See the process?

1. Free No-Risk, No Pressure Information
2. Free Signup for More Information
3. Recommendation of a Resource related to making the information WORK

Step one makes the visitor comfortable, trusting and interested in you. You’re giving them information (interest) for free (trust) without having to signup (comfort). A triple whammy!

Step two naturally scores you the opt-in of a highly-targeted lead with high-interest.

Step three makes it easier to get paid.

The way 99% of email marketers out there do this, is that they do the same steps above, expect Step One.

And as I’ve pointed out to you, Step One secures the interest, trust, confidence and comfort of a new subscriber. So, by not doing Step One, you’re just getting a basic lead who has shown interest, but still have no trust and/or confidence in you. And by the way, until they get to know you from your email marketing campaign, they won’t feel comfortable with you just yet. They’re just opening the door to possibly building a relationship with them.

And that’s where many marketers SCREW UP. They either wait too long to build the relationship and lose all profitability of the lead…or they force new products on the lead and look like a money-hungry hippo.

That’s why I believe it’s good to give out information that they can run to the bank with. It secures your credibility, and instills the interest, trust, confidence and comfort in a new potential subscriber. That way, when they sign up, they’ll be super receptive to your every word, even if it’s an affiliate offer disguised as a ‘product recommendation’.

In a sense, the ‘Reverse Opt-in’ is using reverse psychology on your visitors. They’re assuming that they’re gonna have to sign up for something first before they get the goods. Instead, they get the good first, and are lead to sign up for more (once you’ve always got them drooling with the valuable gems of information/goods you’ve given them).

Hope this helps all my struggling marketers out there. Go out and prosper!

-T.M.-

4 Ways To Get Your Opt In Subscribers To Trust You Quickly

While the rest of the world have developed many barriers and protections to keep their e-mail accounts spam-free, there are also those that subscribe to mails that promotes their products, services and their site. This is mainly because these subscribes wants to know more about what these sites are offering and can be beneficial for them. They expect to get be kept posted on what they are interested in and what are new in the market or field they have chosen.

Businesses would be so lucky to have these kinds of customers; the basic element needed to get these types of people is trust. When your customers trust you they will reward you with their loyalty. Many internet users have gone to great lengths in protecting their email accounts from spam mail. Some free-mail internet providers and internet service providers offer spam protection while there are also some internet based companies that screen your mails for you.

With an opt-in mail list, the mails you send containing your promotional materials such as newsletters, catalogs and marketing media will go through. Your intended recipient will be able to read and view what you have sent making it a successful transfer of information. To be able to be allowed to do so, you will need permission from your recipient, to get this permission; you need to be able to get their trust. With the great lack of disregard for privacy in the internet, getting the trust of an internet user you don’t personally know is a big achievement.

To build a good opt-in list you need people to trust you, for a faster and quicker build up, you need to get your opt-in subscribers to trust you quickly. The faster you build your opt-in list the faster word about your site and company gets to be spread. The bigger the scope of your opt-in list the more traffic you get spelling more profits. Its easy math if you thin about it. Getting the numbers is not that simple though, or maybe it is?

• Getting the trust of your clientele shouldn’t be so hard especially if you do have a legitimate business. Getting your customers trust should be based upon your expertise. People rely on other people who know what they are talking about. Garner all the knowledge and information about your business. Ell, frankly if you decide to go into a business most probably you have an interest in it. Like how many basketball payers become coaches, you don’t really venture into something you don’t have any interest in.

• Show your clients that you know what you are talking about. Provide them with helpful hints and guidelines that pertain to what you are selling. Talk about how to install a roof if your into hardware products or provide articles on insurance settlements if you’re a settlement lawyer. You don’t have to be a big corporation to make use of an opt-in list. If your customers see you as someone who knows what he is doing and saying, they will trust you quickly.

• Be true to your customers, if you want to hype up your products and services, provide guarantees. The more satisfied customers you get, the bigger probability there is that they will recommend you. Generally, people will trust someone they know, when that someone recommends you then you’re a shoo-in. They will go to your site and check it for themselves and be given a chance to experience what the other shave experienced from you, so make sure to be consistent in the service you provide.

• Another tip in getting a customer to trust you quickly is to provide them an escape hatch. Show them that you are not there to trap them. Keep a clean list that would enable them to unsubscribe anytime they want. Elaborate your web form by providing information on how to unsubscribe from the list. Guarantee them that they can let go of the service when ever they want to. Many are wary that they may be stuck for life and would have to abandon their email accounts when they get pestered with spam.

Remember that when you get the trust of your clients don’t lose that trust. Because if you do anything with their email addresses like sell them or give them out, you will lose many members of your list as ell as potential members. The true quickest way to gain the trust of your subscribers is when you are recommended by someone they trust.

If you wanna learn more about building a profitable mailing list, I highly suggest INSIDE THE LIST. It's a book I've been recommending ever since it was first released, and it's still a trusted guide for building a profitable mailing list online.

How ebooks saved my life, and can possibly save yours

This is actually from the blog that I host myself:
http://tmharris.net/blog/2008/03/true-story-about-how-ebooks-saved-my-life-and-can-save-yours/

I just felt the need to share it with everyone who reads this blog of mine, too. Enjoy!
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Hey there readers!

I hope you were one of the hundreds who downloaded my ebook "30 Tips for Ebook Authors" that I started to give away yesterday by Jimmy D Brown. I hope it inspired you to at least get into the ebook game.

The reason why I want you to download this book so bad, is because people keep asking me about getting ONE thing right online. And honestly, if you have your own ebook, you can't go wrong at all.

So, what can you do with an ebook of your own? Check it out:

* Bribe people to sign up to your list
* Sell it and make some profit (and build a list of paying customers)
* Use it as a bonus for other people's product packages and launches
* Build credibility for yourself or your business
* Pre-sell another product that you're an affiliate for

Seriously, every internet marketer especially in the 'internet marketing' and/or network marketing niche uses ebooks to leverage themselves to either build their list, build their reputation, or just build a bigger bank account. Think ebooks won't work for the average Joe like you and me?

Hmmmm....OK time for a case study!

Look at my ebook Ebay Profit Loophole ...

Do you know how much it cost me to create that ebook? NOTHING

An ebook is nothing more than a document...preferrably converted to PDF.

By having that ebook, I was able to do a lot. Crazy enough, that simple 20-page report of mine has done everything I mentioned earlier...

* I use it to bribe people to sign up to my list. If someone orders from one of my affiliate links, and they weren't on my mailing list before, I use it to get them to sign up to my list afterwards.

* I sell it to make profit (of course! look at the website!) and it helps me build my mailing list (which of course YOU are on)

* I've used it as a bonus for two of my friend's product launches last year and pulled an extra 150 subscribers as a result

* It's definitely built my credibility as now I get more requests for consultations and other freelance services I provide...as well as now I get more people wanting me to promote their stuff. Now, I'm no longer the hunter, but the hunted (ooooo so macho sounding!)

* It presells another product or 2 that I truly recommend. If you didn't notice, read the book.

So, from one simple 20-page report, I was able to do so many things, and mind you...it wasn't that hard of an ordeal. Think I'm one heck of a writer? Well, on my SATs in high school, I got a 1250 on my SATs. Mind you, my verbal score was only 530...I really excelled in math, though.

So, according to the SATs (and my high school teachers) I'm horrible at English grammar and writing. I always suffered in my English classes, and almost took a remedial course in English in school...whereas, I was in Advanced Placement Calculus, yet my writing skills SUCKED! I believe I squeeked by high school with a D average in English, because I hated writing book reports and it definitely showed back then.

I even went on to Rutgers University here in the U.S. and did exceptional in my Calculus and marketing classes...but since there were freshman pre-requisites that required writing classes in my curriculum, that held me back, and eventually I had lost a scholarship over it, and ended up pulling myself out of school (since I couldn't afford it anymore).

So, all in all, you don't have to be a Ph.D or some Nobel prize writer to come up with an ebook that'll boost your business and skyrocket your profit.

Interesting fact, there have been over 1600 customers for Ebay Profit Loophole, which translates into over $16,000 in gross (noticed I said GROSS) sales for me, my affiliates and my partners. My cut of that was $4000, but honestly, I had it as a $7 product using that infamous script...so I wasn't collecting sales off it anyway. I only switched to clickbank because the script was giving my webhost problems. But in the end, since switching, it put an extra $4K in my pocket over a few months, as well as a list of people I can truly call FRIENDS.

Mind you, this all started from a simple 20-page report that I (the writing expert) wrote up one day. I wrote it while I was actually on the job, bored out of my mind. And the only reason I did it was everyone that I was talking to stressed to me the importance of having my own actual book to help me boost my own business.

Think you can't do it? Think again! You have all the tools you'll ever need to write up an ebook and convert it to a PDF.

You have a computer, right? (DUH!)

You have a word processor. Even old versions of Windows come with Wordpad, the oldest of the old.

If not, just remember that you can easily go to Google Documents and not only type up your book, but also convert it to PDF right there.

Seriously, it's not that hard my friend! It doesn't matter what niche you wanna enter, or how much money you have...you can do it.

Hey, if I could do it while working for Wal-Mart, living in a tiny 1 bedroom apartment in a neighborhood taken over by Bloods, crackheads and hookers, anyone can do it.

And I'm not lying about that either. Now I have a 4-BR apartment for me and my family, where I turned one room into my private office.

I used to live right across the street from a crackhouse ran by members of the Bloods gang. I saw crack cocaine sales right outside my window, and even noticed a crackhead sleeping right in front of my place once. I had my old car broken into, vandalized, kicked and dented by bad a$$ kids, and couldn't go to sleep 'til 3AM in the morning every night.

Not because of my internet marketing, but because of the fights over money and drugs, loud music and the heavy police activity with their loud blaring sirens and such all night long. And you have to throw in the EMTs too, since five people died on that same street that year. One was right in front of a elementary school during school hours, which really depressed the area.

Now, I don't live in that section anymore, as I live in a much better part of town with peaceful people, a bigger place where I've had no problems, and more comfort for me and the family.

Crazy enough, it all started changing once I wrote up that ebook, Ebay Profit Loophole. The sales that came in helped me out. The leads I acquired helped too. The boost for my business' reputation brought more customers, prospects and even new partners.

Seriously, if I had not have written ebooks, I'd still be trying to raise both my children out of a tiny cramped 1BR apartment in the middle of the ghetto. And probably, I would've been locked up for having to do the unthinkable again to make ends meet. Yes, I used to do my dirt back then, and I'm not proud of it. But I turned over a new leaf once I saw my oldest, my daughter, being brought into this world. That made me change up the game plan, so thank God for ebooks.

With all that being said, I want to introduce you to an ebook that I purchased and read last year that really helped me out when it came to writing my first ebooks. Now, the author is actually one of internet marketing's most elite, as SHE is a ghostwriter for many of the so-called 'gurus' that you've drained your bank account over. Yes, she was responsible for that, since he wrote their ebooks and even some of their sales letters.

Her name is Tiffany Dow, and her book is called "Building an Ebook Empire". All jokes aside, after I read this and released Ebay Profit Loophole (with success), I emailed her back and thanked her. Now, there's only a few people that I have personally emailed my thanks and regards to. She was one. When you teach me something that has a significant life-changing effect on you, I'm not only going to thank you, but I'm also going to tell the world about what you did for me.

Can it do something for you? Well, I know so. Look at my story above. It's 100% real...I can't make that stuff up, and who would want to? You know what type of situation you're in. You know you want it to change. You just think..."it's never going to happen to me". You think you're in such peril that it prevents you from doing what you know you have to do to make some coin online.

I was that person. You don't know how many times I've thrown my keyboard, mouse, cell phone in frustration. Trust me, I can show you the patches in the wall at my old place where my cell phone used to play tag with the wall. LOL I hated days when I logged into Clickbank to see a big phat ZERO. I dreaded days where my Paypal account would read $0.00.

And in all honesty, it didn't start working until I wrote up my first ebook and just sold it! I will admit that my first ebooks I used to sell on Ebay w/ a $20 featured listing. But even at that...ebay didn't charge me that $20 until the end of the auction. So for 7 days, I would be out there hitting people when they were outbidded on similar auctions, and get them to buy my ebooks for a cheaper price. That started building my list. I had a nice 30 people on my list from Ebay.

But in the end, the money, the notoriety, the success, it wouldn't have been possible without God (first and foremost), my own ebook...and Tiffany Dow's "Building an Ebook Empire". This was the book that I read that got me making my own ebooks to leverage my business.

So, I'm going to stop ranting and raving about my 'rags to riches' story, and simply show you the step-by-step guide that got me going with all of my online ventures...

Building an Ebook Empire

Don't sell yourself short. Anyone who has a right mind, and has something to say, teach or pass on can write an ebook and build an online business from nothing (like I did). So do me a favor and build your own ebook empire, will ya?

T.M.