What Is An Opt-In Email List? And How Can I Convert Better?

If you're looking to market your product to a large number of users, you need a responsive opt-in email list. A large list doesn’t necessarily mean you make more sales though.

“Lead generation” plays a big part in email marketing, and so does your “autoresponder” as well as your “email swipe”. They allow you to reach a lot of people with minimal effort on your part - and it’s a great way to build relationships with your customers. But hold on a minute. What are all these jargon? What is an opt-in email list? This article will explain.

What Does “Opt-In” Mean In Email Marketing?

"Opt-in" in email marketing means that recipients have given their explicit permission to receive emails. This consent-based approach involves users actively subscribing, typically via a website form, to get newsletters, offers, or updates. It's a respectful and effective way to build a targeted and responsive leads for email campaigns.

In other words, an opt-in in email marketing does not mean any differently from the terms that we generally use - “opt-in, opt-out”. When they opt-in, they agree to receive your marketing emails or newsletters. That’s all it is.

Your site visitor arrives at your lead capture page (where they’re asked to sign up with your newsletter). They are asked to at least fill in their email address, sometimes their name, full name, phone number, or more. If they fill in the form and click OK, then that’s an “opt-in”.

What Is An Opt-In Email List?

An opt-in email list is a collection of email addresses gathered from people who have willingly chosen to receive emails from a sender. These subscribers sign up, usually through a website form, to get information, updates, or promotions, ensuring that the emails are welcomed and not unsolicited.

To have an email list, you need to sign up with an email marketing service provider and connect the service to the lead capture page of your website.

Each time your site visitor signs up (opt-in), their email address will be automatically saved in your email marketing service.

Why Would You Want To Create An Opt-In Email List?

There are quite a few reasons why you may want to create an opt-in email list. 

Building Trust with Your Customers

Creating an opt-in email list is a bit like making friends, right? You wouldn't just barge into someone's life; you'd wait for them to invite you. Similarly, when people opt-in to your email list, they're basically saying, "Hey, I'm interested in what you have to say." This builds a foundation of trust. You're not spamming random folks; you're talking to people who genuinely want to hear from you. Isn't that a great start?

Better Engagement Rates

Let's face it, no one likes getting emails they didn't ask for. But when people have chosen to receive your emails, they're more likely to engage with them. This means higher open rates and more clicks. Why? Because your emails land in the inboxes of people who are already interested. They're more inclined to read your content, check out your offers, and maybe even forward your emails to friends who might like them too, right?

Tailored Content for Your Subscribers

Knowing who you're selling stuff to is crucial, isn't it? With an opt-in list, you have a better idea of who's on the other side of the screen. You can tailor your emails to suit their preferences, which can be a game-changer.

For example, if you run a gardening website and people sign up for tips on indoor plants, you wouldn't send them info on lawnmowers. Tailored content means your emails add value to your subscribers' lives, and that's a win-win situation.

Avoiding Spam Filters

Spam filters can be a nightmare, can't they? But with an opt-in list, your emails are less likely to be flagged as spam. When people sign up for your emails, their email providers recognize this and are more likely to let your emails through.

This means your carefully crafted messages won't end up in the dreaded spam folder, lost and unread.

Better Analytics and Feedback

Analytics are pretty handy, right? With an opt-in list, you get accurate data on how your emails are performing. You can track open rates, and click-through rates, and even see which emails led to sales or website visits.

This feedback is gold. It helps you understand what works and what doesn't, so you can tweak your strategy and improve your email campaigns.

Building a Loyal Customer Base

Lastly, an opt-in list helps you build a community of loyal customers. These are people who have raised their hands and said, "Yes, I'm interested in your brand." They're more likely to become repeat customers, and loyal customers often become your best advocates. They talk about your brand to friends and family, and word-of-mouth marketing is super powerful, isn't it?

So, in a nutshell, an opt-in email list is not just a list of emails; it's a growing community of people who are interested in what you have to offer. Isn't that something every business would love to have?

Create A Simple Lead Capture Page That Sells

Your lead capture page is the first step in your lead generation process (which means getting your site visitors to opt in), and it's essential that you design it correctly if you want to generate leads and sell products.

How To Create A Lead Capture Page That Works

Creating a lead capture page is an important part of your online marketing strategy, as it’s the way to collect leads and eventually sell products. There are a few things you need to keep in mind when creating your page:

1. Choose Your Platform

Before you can begin creating your lead capture page, you first need to decide which platform to use. There are plenty of options available, including WordPress, Google Forms, and ClickFunnels. Ultimately, which platform is best for your business depends on the features and capabilities that are important to you.

2. Design Your Page Layout

Your lead capture page should look professional and inviting. To achieve this look, use an updated landing page builder such as Thrive Article. High-quality design elements are vital parts that will draw in your visitors.

3. Connect You Email Marketing Service

Your email marketing service software will tell you step-by-step to connect your service with your lead capture page. It’s pretty straightforward as it’s usually copying and pasting their code.

4, Headline

The first thing you need to do is create a headline that will catch the attention of potential customers. Make sure it is catchy and tells your potential customers what you have to offer.

5. Sub-Headline

Next, briefly explain what the emails you are sending out are all about. Make sure you include all of the information potential customers need to sign up for your mailing list but it’s important to make your sentences concise.

6. Include Visual Information

Finally, make sure you include an image and/or a video clip to help illustrate your products. This will help potential customers understand what they are getting themselves into before they opt in.

How To Create An Opt-In Form Using Thrive Architect

Thrive Architect is a visual page builder that works on WordPress, and it lets you add a great, professional-looking opt-in form within seconds. All you do is connect it to your email marketing service either via API or by copying & pasting the HTML code provided by the service. It won't take a few minutes to create it. Here's how to do it.

Step 1: Choose a Landing Page

Unless you already have your own page, you can choose a landing page from hundreds of templates. Installing will only take a matter of seconds.

Step 2: Drag a Lead Generation Icon

From the side menu, drag a "lead generation" icon to wherever on your page you want to add an opt-in form. This is a ready-made opt-in form. Again, you'll be shown a lot of different form templates to choose from. 

Step 3: Copy and Paste Code

Go to your email marketing software and get a code - it should be provided within the "opt-in form" section. The image above is an example from AWeber.

And paste the code here, and click the green button "Generate Form". Your website should be connected to your email marketing service.

It's super easy, isn't it? If you are a WordPress website owner and wish to add an opt-in form that has a more striking design than any other conventional form, Thrive Architect is a good choice. Take a look and see if you can make use of this great software.

Be Clear About Your Offer

In order to get your site visitors to opt in, it's important to be clear about what people can expect in return for their time. So you need to be clear about what your promotional materials are so that you'll be able to convert more potential customers into actual ones!

Offer A Good Incentive - Lead Magnet

One way to get visitors to opt in is to offer an incentive, called a “lead magnet”. It means offering something of value to your visitors, and you're likely to get them to sign up for your email list.

Here are typical examples of a lead magnet;

• Free ebook or report to download
• An email course
• Giveaway tickets to an upcoming event
• Free access to a webinar class/tutorial
• Discount offer of your product (affiliate product or your own product)
• Special access to your exclusive, “members only” blog content.

When offering an incentive such as the above, make sure to mention its benefits and what subscribers will get in return for opting in. 

There’s also a disadvantage of offering an incentive - some people are just freebies takers. They opt-in, take your offer (e.g. download your ebook), and immediately opt out. Or they may stay as your leads but never read your follow-up emails. 

Make Your Opt-In Page Simple

Make it easy for subscribers to sign up. Your opt-in form should be easy to follow and should require minimal input from visitors. Because too many details may confuse them and too many texts may overwhelm them, bore them, and make them leave the page. By making your opt-in page simple, you’ll ensure that they are comfortable signing up and will not feel pressure in order to do so.

Don't Buy An Opt-In Email List

One of the most eyebrow-raising tactics is purchasing opt-in email lists from others. There is every reason not to, such as;

You May Be Marked As A Spammer

A large number of emails imported into your email marketing software will make the service company suspicious.

It May Be A Bot Traffic

People sell a list of email addresses because it’s not useful for themselves, so they might as well pass it on to others to make money. The majority of the email addresses are likely to be outdated (no longer in use) or even bots. 

They Are Not Your "Target Audience"

I hate using this phrase because every business blogger is repeatedly using it like parrots, but for once;

Even if the emails are not bots but real humans...whoever’s trying to sell a list will say that the email owners are all “perfect for your niche”. That’s very, extremely unlikely true. They don’t research your niche and pick a list of your TA, especially for you.

You’ll Be Required To Send A Confirmation Email

When you’ve imported your purchased opt-in email list, most email marketing service companies will require you to send a confirmation request email to the new subscribers. It’ll be their choice to opt in or out, and it’s likely that most of them will ignore your confirmation request.

Already Bought By Many Others

And even if you are NOT required to send a confirmation request…

People who try to sell a list of opt-in emails may have already sold the same list to multiple beginner marketers. This means - imagine your own email address is included in the list. Somebody has obtained your email address from somewhere and sold it to multiple spammers. All of a sudden you start to receive so many unsolicited emails every day. Would you open any of them? 

So don’t buy a list of opt-in emails no matter how a seller sounds like a trustworthy person. A purchased list is useless.

Craft the Right Email List

When you're putting together an email list, it's like assembling a team. You want the right people who are interested in what you have to say. But how do you make sure your emails reach the right inboxes? It's all about understanding different groups like gender, age, demographics, and more.

Gender Matters in Email Marketing

Let's talk about gender. Men and women often have different interests and shopping habits, right? So, when you're sending out emails, think about who you're talking to. If you're selling beard oil, your emails should probably go to men. But, if it's about the latest in women's fashion, then women are your target. It's about matching your message with the right group.

Age is More than Just a Number

Age groups are a big deal in email lists. What appeals to a teenager likely won't catch the eye of someone in their 50s, you know? If you're promoting a new video game, your email list should probably focus on younger folks. But, if it's about retirement planning, then older age groups are your target, needless to say. It's about speaking the language of the age group you're targeting.

Demographics: The Who and Where of Users

Demographics include things like where people live, their income, and their lifestyle. This stuff matters a lot. Someone living in a city might be more interested in fast food delivery options than someone in a rural area, isn't it? And luxury brand promotions might resonate more with higher-income groups. Tailoring your emails to fit the demographics of your list can make a big difference.

Understanding Sexuality in Your Email Strategy

Sexuality is a sensitive and personal aspect, and it's important to handle it with respect in your email lists. If your product or service is specifically designed for the LGBTQ+ community, then your email list should reflect that. It's about creating a space where your message resonates and feels inclusive.

The Big Picture: Why These Details Matter

Creating an email list isn't just about collecting a bunch of addresses. It's about understanding the people behind those addresses. When you know who you're talking to, your emails can become more than just promotions; they become conversations. It's about connecting with people in a way that's relevant to them. And when you get it right, it's pretty rewarding, you see?

So you're paying attention to these, and you're not just sending emails. You're building relationships. And in the world of marketing, that's what really counts. So next time you're looking at your email list, think about who's on the other side of that screen. It could make all the difference in your campaign.