9 replies
Hi all,

I'm new to email marketing outside Constant Contact or MailChimp, so I could use any advice. I just purchased a list of 1,000,000 opted in B2B emails and I'm getting set up with a mass mail server with rotating IPs and the whole nine yards. B2B falls directly in line with my business type, so my emails are hitting their intended targets as we don't have any specific niches.

I keep reading that you should never purchase an email list, but is this advice given to people who are importing these folks into a Constant Contact type interface? I would assume getting blacklisted isn't on Constant Contact's list of things to do. Is there really any harm in purchasing an email list and using a separate domain for mailing - ie hurting your brand, etc?

Thanks in advance for the help!
#buying #email #lists
  • Profile picture of the author DIABL0
    I don't ever upload any kind of data to autoresponders other than fresh / targeted data. Even with fresh targeted data you need to clean the data first and even then, you should ideally be using tactics to reduce your possible complaint rate.

    You say you have no niches, but what are you going to mail?

    I would never pay for IPs until you test them and know that they aren't blocked by key domains you plan to mail to and aren't on any blacklists. Even with clean IPs, doesn't mean your going to inbox and with purchased data, you need to know what mailing strategies work best with specific domains / groups, so you are likely to have the greatest inbox success.

    Mailing purchased data it is move involved than most think.
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  • Profile picture of the author frankhomebizwhiz
    I agree with DIABLO, but you also need to be aware of a few other things. For starters, many of those one million emails are going to be undeliverables. You're going to want to weed out the once that are going to bounce back. Too many bounce backs never looks good and can raise some red flags. So be sure to clean your lists before you use email.

    You should also think about setting up your own funnel... remember, these people didn't specifically ask to hear from YOU, so it's technically spam... which is why the big autoresponder companies like AWeber, etc., won't let you just add 3rd party leads.

    When you email these people, already have an enticing email to send them. Include in that email a "call-to-action" with a link that sends them to YOUR lead capture page. If they opt-in now they'll be your lead that you can market to over and over.

    3rd party email lists aren't your personal list. You're not going to want to keep emailing these people over and over. You're going to get lots of spam complaints because these folks have no clue who you are.

    Tread carefully and be mindful of how you're going about things and it might work out.

    Hope this helps.
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  • Profile picture of the author efpeterson
    Thanks all. Going to spend the money and get the list cleaned for starters. I will have some form of an opt out in these emails so they can unsubscribe as well. We have a company who is doing some hand holding as far as the inboxing is concerned, so that will be a great advantage as well.

    Just seems like a ton of work and a ton of money, but hopefully the outcome is worth it. Thanks all for the help!
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    • Profile picture of the author DIABL0
      Originally Posted by efpeterson View Post

      Thanks all. Going to spend the money and get the list cleaned for starters. I will have some form of an opt out in these emails so they can unsubscribe as well. We have a company who is doing some hand holding as far as the inboxing is concerned, so that will be a great advantage as well.

      Just seems like a ton of work and a ton of money, but hopefully the outcome is worth it. Thanks all for the help!
      One other thing to consider if you have a tight budget is Rev-Share data. You can get the data up-front for free, however, you split your profits 50/50 with the list owner. I actively seek these types of deals out all the time and also work with a broker who manages over 2000 rev-share sources.I also buy data as well. They both have their place.
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  • Profile picture of the author rritz
    Since you already bought that list my piece of cake comes late in the day, but ...

    personally I wouldn't ever buy a list unless I totally trust the one I am buying it from, and know how (s)he built that list and how old it is.

    Besides the problem of bounces you will also face the fact that the list may be burned out with the emails they got from their former owner - ie they are not going to open your mails anymore than they opened his;

    further you cannot know how often that same list has already been sold to others - just imagine this guy sold the list to 100 people already, do you think the leads will be responsive?

    the list may already have been bought earlier, or built in an unlawful way

    the list may consist of fake email addresses only

    and so on
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    • Profile picture of the author DIABL0
      Originally Posted by rritz View Post

      Since you already bought that list my piece of cake comes late in the day, but ...

      personally I wouldn't ever buy a list unless I totally trust the one I am buying it from, and know how (s)he built that list and how old it is.

      Besides the problem of bounces you will also face the fact that the list may be burned out with the emails they got from their former owner - ie they are not going to open your mails anymore than they opened his;

      further you cannot know how often that same list has already been sold to others - just imagine this guy sold the list to 100 people already, do you think the leads will be responsive?

      the list may already have been bought earlier, or built in an unlawful way

      the list may consist of fake email addresses only

      and so on
      When buying lists, unless you know that the list is as stated / not fake* and your getting it for a super deal, I would purchase a small random sample and test it, rather than buying it all at once. However, the sample should be large enough so it's a valid test.

      *I've never bought a fake list ever. I buy from brokers, mailers and media buyers.

      By testing a sample, you will get an idea of the quality of the list / how long it will likely take to break-even on...what it's worth to you. You can renegotiate the price if necessary..
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  • Profile picture of the author Aginalisa
    I believe DIABLO, however you furthermore got to remember of some different things. For starters, several of these a meg emails ar aiming to be undeliverables. you're going to require to comb out the once that are aiming to recuperate. Too several bounce backs ne'er appearance smart and might raise some red flags. therefore take care to wash your lists before you utilize email.
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  • Profile picture of the author Sean CS
    I don't think that buying an email list is a good solution for any internet marketer because your subscribers must be of your niche otherwise no one will open your emails.
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    • Profile picture of the author DIABL0
      Originally Posted by Sean CS View Post

      I don't think that buying an email list is a good solution for any internet marketer because your subscribers must be of your niche otherwise no one will open your emails.
      It really comes down to testing a reasonable portion of the data / list that you are considering buying and based on the results, coming up with an acceptable price that makes purchasing the list / data cost effective.

      This can vary greatly from one person to another. So while I can understand why you say that no marketer should buy a list, I also know that it is completely wrong depending on the situation.

      As someone that is using the data as a pure data monetization play VS someone trying to make sales, could interpret the data differently.
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      How to Build LARGE EMAIL LISTS on a Budget and MONETIZE Like a PRO
      20+ Years Exp . . . . . . . . . . . . Email - CPA - PPL
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