1. Ezine
This is the basis of most Opt-In lists. You can start an ezine on any subject (an ezine is simply an online newsletter which is sent out by email). In your ezine, you will be providing free information about whatever your specific subject is. For samples of ezines, go to http://www.dominis.com/Zines/ (there are over 3,000 here). Subscribe to a few of these and start thinking of ideas of what you can do in your ezine.
2. Tip of the Day
Samples of this type of Opt-In list include "Joke of the Day" or "Recipe of the Day." Create any subject and put it in this blank: "Tip of the Day." Then, go around and find a specific tip for each day to send to your list. Build a daily relationship with your prospects with this simple idea.
3. Updates
If you can't come up with another idea for an ezine list or you just don't want to take time for a weekly or monthly mailing, send out update notices whenever your site is redone. Whenever you add new products or new services, send out a short notice to all of your subscribers.
NOTE: For this type of list, you will definitely have to include a Free bonus for people who subscribe and make sure to mention the bonus whenever you send out your updates so people can remember subscribing.
4. Resource Lists
This is another simple idea to use for an Opt-In list. Send out lists of resources to use in your industry to all of your subscribers. What makes it so simple is that you can save sites you visit in your favorite places as you are studying your market online. Then, use your favorite places resource as the basis for the lists you send out to everyone.
5. Diaries
I have noticed this format being used more and more often lately. Basically, all you do is send out a daily business diary of what went on in your business that day. You may say how you find a new supplier, made so many sales in this market, gave out free information on a certain subject, etc. The people who use diaries of their businesses can often build a strong bond and relationship with their readers if they are high quality publications full of good information.
6. Friendly Letters
If used appropriately, this may be the best format of all. You send out your weekly or monthly letter to your subscribers in a personal format (it is best if you use a CGI program or listserver which personalizes the emails). They write good information their readers can use and then use P.S. for sales tools, endorsements, etc. Ads are rarely used in a friendly letter format, because you want to keep the personal touch like it was a letter written just for them.
7. Online Class
Create a 6 week, 12 week, 24 week, etc. class which is sent out by email every week. On this one, you would want to make sure you use some type of automated follow-up autoresponder such as AWeber to do the actual work. Then, you save the email addresses once they have went through the entire class and send them out updates on the information or further training along with advertising for your business or joint ventures deals you have set-up.
8. Magazine Site
Many webmasters are beginning to move over to ezines which are published on a web site in a magazine format. This way they can include pictures, formatted text, anything else you can have on a web site. The advantage of this method is that you can include more information on topics in an easier to read format. The disadvantage is that not as many people will read it, because they have to go to the site every month instead of just getting it in their mailbox. If you use this method, make sure to still keep a list of email subscribers so that you can tell them when the new issue is ready.
9. Monthly Audio
If you would prefer to do an audio presentation every month instead of writing, then you may want to think about using Real Audio to create web site audio which can be updated every month. Then, send out an email to your list and let them know when the new monthly message is up and what benefits are in it for them.
10. Monthly Video
The same idea can be followed using video as using audio. The major problem with both of these methods though is the slowness of many people's connections and the fact that they will have to install additional software, even though it is free. As time progresses though, you can expect that both Audio and Video are going to become much more prevalent throughout the net.
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