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How do you convert customers to list members?

by mpeters7
9 replies
I've heard differing opinions on this, so wanted to poll the community. We all know how to develop a list, but how do you add people who have bought from you but not ended up on any kind of opt-in page to your list?

Is it considered kosher to automatically add them, since their purchase denotes an opt-in, or do you send them another offer with an incentive to opt-in, explicitly asking for their permission? I know I tend to hate it when even someone like Apple or Amazon emails me without asking first, despite having bought from them.

Thoughts?
#convert #customers #list #members
  • Profile picture of the author fitz10
    I think it's fine to add automatically. As you said consumers have become quite used to this since every time they purchase something online they're usually added to the store's list. If I don't like receiving mail from that company I simply unsubscribe, it's never bothered me and if anything I'm more likely to make a follow up purchase if I receive notification of a great deal. Just don't over do it with the follow up e-mails.
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  • Profile picture of the author mpeters7
    Thanks, Fitz. Anyone else have opinions?
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    • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
      I think it's rude if they don't opt-in willingly and could get you reported for spam. I believe you are allowed to email one time though and offer them to be added to your list, then they have a choice.

      Tina
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      • Profile picture of the author MJMartin
        Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises View Post

        I think it's rude if they don't opt-in willingly and could get you reported for spam. I believe you are allowed to email one time though and offer them to be added to your list, then they have a choice.

        Tina
        I agree. I can't count how many times I've purchased items online and checked off the "do not subscribe to future email offers" box, yet within a few days I get bombarded with offers from that very same company.

        My school of thought is that if the customer is happy and you service them well, they will return.
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        • Profile picture of the author mpeters7
          Originally Posted by MJMartin View Post

          My school of thought is that if the customer is happy and you service them well, they will return.
          But how can they return if you have no way to let them know that you have a new offer?
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  • Profile picture of the author AllanWard
    I agree. I think many people expect that if they're handing over their email address they're going to receive some kind of ongoing contact. If you send new customers an email confirming their purchase maybe add a paragraph that explains they've also been added to your mailing list.

    Also consider putting a line at the end of every email you send to them saying 'You're receiving this email because you bought XYZ book from my web site'.

    The thing I hate is when I buy a product from someone and they only send follow up messages that try and sell another product (or someone else's product). There's no attempt to build a relationship with me, or talk about my experience with their product. Make sure you send a mix of educational and promotional videos and your customers should be ok with that.
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  • Profile picture of the author zoobie
    Well normally I will auto=subscribe them when using Delavo shopping cart or you can say subscribe to our newsletter for unadvertised bonuses... or latest updates..

    This usually works. Hopes that help
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  • Profile picture of the author flipkid
    I never do the auto subscribe. If a buyer registers for my site and they don't subscribe I don't send them anything.

    Although at the bottom of the welcome e-mail I give them another chance to subscribe with an incentive like a report or free gift. If they don't at that point I just try to push the RSS, Twitter and Facebook.

    Otherwise they probably have no intention of purchasing anything from you anyways so why waste your time and bother them at the same time?

    You don't need 10,000 people getting your message. A huge list isn't always a good thing. Most often in online marketing it's not the size of the boat, it's the motion in the ocean.
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    • Profile picture of the author ozduc
      The smartest way I have seen it done and I have opted in myself because of this, is to have your re-direct page from your merchant account (paypal or whatever) to go to a page with an opt-in box with a heading something like,
      "thanks for your purchase, to receive free upgrades or for your free bonus or your free...........fill in your first name and valid email address."
      Work out whatever compliments the product they just purchsed and add that.

      This gets me everytime I purchase something. However if I immediately get bombarded with affiliate offers I will then unsubscribe.
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