1. Set up a "Thank You" page on your website. Here's one "Thank You" page I use.
This page contains your "Opt-in" message. Your new subscribers will see this
page after they "Opt-in" (click on the confirmation link in the email request). Use this page to give stuff away,
entice them to stay subscribed, and to let them get acquainted with you.
2. Set up your auto-responder.
a. You'll have to set up your campaign in your autoresponder.
Just follow their rules and procedures for doing this. One of the setup steps is specifying where you want your opt-in
subscribers directed when they click on the confirmation link. That's where you put in the link for your "Thank You" page.
b. Create your "Opt-in" message.
Part of that setup process is creating the "Opt-in" message that is
sent out by the autoresponder when you add your prospective subscriber to your list. That's the one that contains the
confirmation link, which they must click to actively join your list. And, it completes the double opt-in part of the process.
You provide the majority of the words, the autorepsonder provides that actual confirmation link.
In the limited amount of space you have in the "Opt-in" message, I suggest
you remind them that they've already sent you a promotional email, and that you're just returning the favor
because you've got some more opportunities they might be interested in. Suggest that more is yet to come once they confirm.
Don't try and up-sell at this point, because you'll seem over anxious and they'll drop you like a rock. Besides, most autoresponders
severly limit the number of characters you're allowed, so be succinct.
c. Create your first mailing "Follow-up" message.
Every autoresponder allows you to send out followup messages once they've confirmed
their subscription. They can be sent out at preset intervals. It's the first one I'm talking about here, the one that's sent
immediately after confirmation. That first "Follow-up" message should introduce you, what it is you're trying to accomplish,
and the benefits for joining your opt-in list. Again, don't try and upsell, or overtly promote. It's too soon.
3. Set up your List Jumper mailer.
Make sure you remain active so that other members can send mail to you. You'll
be getting a lot of them! I would set up a special email address to use specifically for this purpose. I use Google's gmail
to do this. That way you can set up special folders and email rules to segregate these particular inbound emails.
4. Now, when a promotional email comes in from another member, save
their email address.
a. Make sure you save a first name, last name, and email
address. If it's not inherent in the email address, look in the body of their email. Often times people put their full
name in their signature line.
b. Add that information to your auto-responder using the
"Add Subscriber" procedure, either singularly or as a batch upload (import). You can use a spreadsheet to do this. I
use my Outlook contacts.
Once you enter this information into your auto-responder, the opt-in confirmation
email you helped craft is sent out. When they confirm, they are directed to your "Thank You" page, and the "Follow-up"
letter is sent almost immediately.
As your list builds, you can send out subsequent "blast" emails promoting new
products and offerings. You can also update your subsequent "Follow-up" emails to include updated promotions, or an email
course about something you are familiar with. At this point, the sky's the limit. Just don't over do it, because they can
always unsubscribe as easily as they originally subscribed.
Which reminds me. Also build a special "unsubscribe" page that reminds them what they'd be missing if they really did leave your list. Offer some last chance deals, get creative.
This particular link is set up as part of your autoresponder campaign.
That's it in a nutshell. And it does work. Just take care of your list - it is
invaluable.
