If you had the contact details (ie. name, email and postal address) for a large number of people, and wanted them to opt-in to being on your own list, (so that you could maket them financial products and services), what would you do?
eg.
- send them a postcard with an advertisement & website address on it so they can go there and register their interest?
- offer them a free e-book related to their interests (eg. in return for their email address)?
- just post them a direct offer for a high-end product? (perhaps effective for up-front sales, but then they won’t be able to register their email address to opt-in to further email-based offers).
No ideas of unsolicited emails thanks, as this 1). is illegal 2). won’t reach many of the people, and 3). is more annoying and trouble than simple traditional direct mail.
While I do already have the email addresses, I’m looking for a way for them to provide it again to me, so they have formally ‘opted-in’. Thanks.
It sounds like you have bought a mailing list which you cannot import directly into an auto responder service such as Aweber. So, you will require a double opt-in to comply with UK and US laws.
To get them to opt-into your list you will have to give them something they perceive to be of high enough value to entice them to give your their name and e-mail address.
You are trying to start a relationship with the people on your mailing list. Offering a mini-course or a newsletter could do the trick, but the quality and perceived value must be high. You must be seen as giving more value than you are asking for.
In my experience, it takes a minimum of 5 to 7 contacts before a prospect will buy from you. So, offering just a free e-book is not enough. That does not mean you cannot give one away as an unannounced bonus with your mini-course or newsletter.
A blatant sales pitch will result in them deleting your e-mail super quick.