Many new internet marketers grab a quick-as-they-may opt-in list, only to find that rather than the riches they we are dreaming of, they finish up with their business shut down. This article tells you how to avoid the dangers that opt-in lists might bring.
Its almost part of an initiation ceremony for budding internet marketers to grab a quick-as-they-might opt-in list, with all the promises of time riches, only to find that rather than the bed of roses they were dreaming of, they end up with their fledgling internet business immediately shut down and their dreams in ruins.

This article, via a set of basic FAQs, tells you exactly how to avoid the perils and pitfalls of opt-in lists that befall so many, and instead move your internet business onto a solid, and profitable, foundation for the future.

1. When I purchase an opt-in list from somebody, how can I check and confirm that they are truly opt-in?

My advice here is simply NOT to purchase a pre-existing opt-in list from somebody, but to make your own - otherwise you are taking a sizeable risk.

What you might do instead is to order opt-in leads from a reputable source, eg. you purchase say 600 leads, and these leads opt-in over time via the lead forwarding business . This means you might say get 20 new leads a day until your order is complete.

In general, such businesses purchase promoting space on other web sites to advertise your list - but just be careful to order your leads from somewhere reputable. The ones I utilize and might recommend are at http://www.takanomi.com/leadfactory/ and http://www.worldwidelists.com.

2. How may I check and confirm that the business that is selling opt-in lists is legitimate?

Again, Id advise you not to purchase a ready-made opt-in list - if you consider it, these all the people have definitely not opted in to your list, they most definately didnt know it existed, and have no idea that their names and electronic mail addresses are on a particular list that is being sold to all the people like you.

As such, their reactions are not likely to be favorable when you start mailing them, and you could find that your ISP shuts you down very quickly.

My general rule here is, if you are in any doubt whatsoever, just steer clear.

3. Can I send bulk emails to my opt-in list?

You may of course send emails to your list, I would advise using an online service such as the one I utilize at http://www.takanomi.com/par, or more basic providers such as at http://www.freeautobot.com.

This not only means that the delivery of your messages is taken care of on a server (rather than relying on your own PC and perhaps shaky internet connection), but it also makes the collection of your own opt-in leads very elegant.

All you do is compose the email you want to send, and then click to send it to your group of contacts.

4. When I send bulk emails, should I send one e-mail at a time or can I send 100 e-mail at a time showing all 100 e-mail addresses on Cc field?

Id strongly advise that you use an online service as described above, or specialist PC-based software such as Mailloop from http://takanomi.com/mailloop or WorldCast from http://www.fairlogic.com/worldcast, rather than use existing mail software such as Outlook, which simply isnt planned for bulk mailing.

This means that you may not only send thousands of emails with a single click, but that each subscriber takes in a personally addressed electronic mail that usually includes an easy unsubscribe option, which is important to build up the trust of your opt-in list, as well as your own credibility.

5. What if I purchased illegal opt-in emails (by mistake) from somebody and started advertising my merchandise ?

This would be your big risk of purchasing pre-existing opt- in lists, and a risk that Id very strongly advise you not to take. So many fledgling internet businesses initial off on this wrong foot, and have to live with the consequences.

The probably result would be that your host would fairly quickly shut your page down and your internet business would simply cease to exist.

In conclusion, just ensure that everyone you are sending e mail to has definitely opted in to receive your individual publication, either via a reputable lead forwarding company such as described above, or via subscription from your own website.