Opt in Email lists

Are there any recommended ones?

[Joop]

Hi,

I've searched through the forum and can only find information on opt in email lists from a couple of years ago but I wanted to know more current feelings on this topic.

1. Is buying an opt in email list a good or bad idea?
2. Has anyone bought a list? What were your results like?
3. Does any one have a company to recommend?
4. How can I ensure that a list is definately a legitimate opt in list?

I've seen one company selling millions of email addresses for £30. Doesn't sound legitimate to me, but what else should I look out for? Or should I just not bother?

[hannamyluv]

I have yet to see a list that looked worth the money. I knew someone who tried that a gajillion names for $100 and they got two orders.

Here in the US, it's becoming legally dangerous to rent lists. Rent the wrong one and you could be up for a lawsuit or even criminal charges.

To tell the truth, your money is better spent else where in online marketing. Email marketing can be a great tool, but it generally just works with strengthening your relationship with current or activly interested, potential customers. Otherwise, email marketing is about dead last as a money maker.

Take the time to build an in-house list. That will be 1000X better than anything you can rent.

[Joop]

Thanks for the reply. I do have an in house email list - but wanted to research other ways of building visitors - and thought perhaps that buying a list could turn out to be profitable if you can view the demographic/gender etc information before sending emails. After all, you might send a zillion emails but if it only costs $100 dollars and you make a profit, then it's worth it? (oh god, i sound like a spammer don't i? anyone want to buy some viagra?) And that doesn't include the sales you might make later in the year etc..

I get your point tho, about not knowing if the list is reputable and the problems you can create for yourself - which was why i posted here to see if anyone had any companies they could recommend that they knew had legitimate lists.

[hannamyluv]

I'd look first into how to get more people to your in-house. Are you asking for an email address at EVERY touchpoint? Is there an email sign-up box on every page? Have you tried to run a contest or give away something for signing up (like a coupon)?

These are better ways to take advantage of your visitors to your site.

As far as getting new visitors, I would suggest testing PPC, if you aren't doing it already. Your ROI would probably be better.

[shahid]

Hi joop,
If you use these so called optin lists it may even have a negative impact on your image. As people are so upset with the email spam. It is better to use your energy and resources on some productive sources than getting your IP blocked on many servers.