Help with buying an email list

46 replies
I need some help from more experienced marketers.

I've been offered an email list in my niche for sale.

I'm thinking about it, but would appreciate your thoughts on the value of this.

First of all, what is a average click through rate when sending ads to your lists? I've heard 2,5% but don't know if that is average.

And how would you valuate the price of a list?
#buying #email #list
  • Profile picture of the author Pamellalovely
    According to me 2.5% is not you need to increase in this average and 10% is exactly good. What is your niche which you have list now ?
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  • Profile picture of the author EricSt
    I wouldn't recommend buying a list. I know marketers who get open rates of over 50% and overall click through rates of 30-40% (this is no joke).

    But there's a reason they get these kind of responses. They built there list manually from 0. The members of their lists have opted into them and genuinely want the information they provide. They always over-deliver and provide excellent content for their subscribers. When they do decide to send an offer to their subscribers the response is overwhelming because the readers TRUST THEM.

    So really it comes down to, would you like to take the easy way out and purchase a list that gets you a 2.5% click through rate? Or take the time to build your list yourself and get a response rate upwards of 35%? Not a hard choice in my opinion.
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  • Profile picture of the author nelram
    I have found the purchased lists to be junk most of the time. I would build one yourself, you will get a much better outcome.
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  • Profile picture of the author thorster
    Just to clarify, the 2.5% is not what this list is generating. It's just a number I read somewhere as being a typical click-through rate in email offers.

    Sure I could build up my list, but his takes a lot of time.
    I'm being offered a very targeted in my niche (forex) list with hundreds of thousands of emails. This number is according to the seller. I need to verify this of course and sample the quality first.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Originally Posted by thorster View Post

      I'm being offered a very targeted in my niche (forex) list with hundreds of thousands of emails.
      So what do we have, really, here?

      Buying a list: check ...
      Forex niche: check ...
      "Hundreds of thousands": check ...

      Do you think those "hundreds of thousands of people" know that their email addresses are being sold, and are happy about that, and looking forward to hearing from you?

      Have you worked out how you're going to email them?

      Put it all together, and I mean this literally, albeit with apologises for sounding so negative: I wouldn't take it with a view to trying to use it if the person selling it paid me.
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      • Profile picture of the author thorster
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        So what do we have, really, here?

        Buying a list: check ...
        Forex niche: check ...
        "Hundreds of thousands": check ...

        Do you think those "hundreds of thousands of people" know that their email addresses are being sold, and are happy about that, and looking forward to hearing from you?

        Have you worked out how you're going to email them?

        Put it all together, and I mean this literally, albeit with apologises for sounding so negative: I wouldn't take it with a view to trying to use it if the person selling it paid me.
        Well, they are aweber double opt-in addresses that have agreed to have 3rd party offers sent to them.
        How I'd get them into my aweber account I'm not sure though.

        Jeez, people really are skeptical about this.

        I'm waiting for a sample of the emails and will try that out obviously before buying.

        IF it's good, it's a matter of price. Any takers on that subject?
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        • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
          Banned
          Originally Posted by thorster View Post

          people really are skeptical about this
          Yes, indeed.

          Originally Posted by thorster View Post

          How I'd get them into my aweber account I'm not sure though.
          This one I think I can answer (though you should ask Aweber, of course): Aweber doesn't allow the importing of bought lists. Not even those bought from another Aweber subscriber. And between you and me there are reasons for that, and they're good ones: and as an Aweber customer, myself, if they did allow that, I wouldn't be continuing to use their service for any new lists I start, because their deliverability would be dreadful. Think about it.
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          • Profile picture of the author thorster
            Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

            Yes, indeed.



            This one I think I can answer (though you should ask Aweber, of course): Aweber doesn't allow the importing of bought lists. Not even those bought from another Aweber subscriber. And between you and me there are reasons for that, and they're good ones: and as an Aweber customer, myself, if they did allow that, I wouldn't be continuing to use their service for any new lists I start, because their deliverability would be dreadful. Think about it.
            You guys are no fun!

            But being stubborn as a mentally challenged horse, I'm at least going to see what the sample emails do for me.
            When you import emails to Aweber they send out confirmation emails again, so it's not like people don't know they are being put on another list. And mind you... I won't be "spamming" them like so many of the solo/swap ad senders do!
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            • Profile picture of the author owenlee
              Originally Posted by thorster View Post

              You guys are no fun!

              But being stubborn as a mentally challenged horse, I'm at least going to see what the sample emails do for me.
              When you import emails to Aweber they send out confirmation emails again, so it's not like people don't know they are being put on another list. And mind you... I won't be "spamming" them like so many of the solo/swap ad senders do!
              Those people will wonder where did they opt in...these might lead to complain rates...ever thought of this? hehe
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        • To make the most of this opportunity, I suggest you drive the traffic to your squeeze page that offers a valuable free giveaway in the forex niche ... this way you can 'acquire' the best of this list ...

          Also since the list owner has a relationship with his list, why not ask him to send the email in his/her name introducing you and your free offer (solo ad).

          My 2 cents.

          All the best.


          Originally Posted by thorster View Post

          Well, they are aweber double opt-in addresses that have agreed to have 3rd party offers sent to them.
          How I'd get them into my aweber account I'm not sure though.

          Jeez, people really are skeptical about this.

          I'm waiting for a sample of the emails and will try that out obviously before buying.

          IF it's good, it's a matter of price. Any takers on that subject?
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  • Profile picture of the author Matthew Shane Roe
    Just like everyone else here has said.. It's much better to build a list of your own rather than buying one.

    If you're so anxious to "buy a list" - buy solo ads instead.. Then you KNOW it's not a waste of money because they actually sign up to your list. They're not forced to hear from you.
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    • Profile picture of the author Gary King
      Originally Posted by Skid_Roe View Post

      If you're so anxious to "buy a list" - buy solo ads instead..

      ^^^
      ditto.

      ...Or...

      Arrange to have the list owner mail to that list FOR you.

      Basically, buy a solo ad to that list from that owner.

      See what kind of responsiveness it has, and if you're smart, you'll pilfer some of those leads off at the same time onto YOUR list that YOU have set up and they expect to hear from YOU.

      Personally, if I were on a list and got a new email from someone saying "hey, I just bought your name and email from Bob and now I'm going to be emailing you", I would unsub immediately. I would imagine many others would as well.

      Have a great day.

      Gary
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  • Profile picture of the author goldenlogos
    A list that has been sold a bunch on times is no good. Try to make a list by yourself using social media, google and such. That is way better than any list that has been sold over and over.
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    • Profile picture of the author Joseph G Spiteri
      If you want to by an email list DON'T your best of getting emails
      from your own squeeze page it will take longer but at lest you know
      there genuine people.
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  • Profile picture of the author savvybizbuilder
    A list must came from your opt-in. Forget about buying one, this will provide a bad reputation for your product or brand.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dann Vicker
    I'm sure it is easier to get scammed when buying a list. There are so many ways of building up a more responsive list faster, and even make more profits.
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  • Profile picture of the author paulie123
    If the person selling you the list is confident that it is authentic and can be profitable, than try to arrange this kind of deal. Buy a smaller protion of say 500 emails. Mail that list an offer and see if it converts. Tell the seller that if you experience a good conversion (which is up to you to determine) you will purchase the rest of the list. My 2 cents.
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    • Profile picture of the author thorster
      Originally Posted by paulie123 View Post

      If the person selling you the list is confident that it is authentic and can be profitable, than try to arrange this kind of deal. Buy a smaller protion of say 500 emails. Mail that list an offer and see if it converts. Tell the seller that if you experience a good conversion (which is up to you to determine) you will purchase the rest of the list. My 2 cents.
      Yeap, that's what I'm trying to do. I'm not paying for it though.

      Any ideas on what the best way to send out 5000 emails?
      They are according to seller in his Aweber account now.
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      • Profile picture of the author paulie123
        Originally Posted by thorster View Post

        Yeap, that's what I'm trying to do. I'm not paying for it though.

        Any ideas on what the best way to send out 5000 emails?
        They are according to seller in his Aweber account now.
        If the person selling the list is bulking at selling you a smaller portion for testing purposes, than, that is a sure indication the list is crap. And, that is a good question, if you do acquire a portion of the list-how are you going to send out those emails and be compliant?!
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  • Profile picture of the author ErikNilsson
    Test Run before you buy a List...
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  • Profile picture of the author Kal B
    Buying a list must be a dead idea.. I would rather send out some solo ads with a free product and a squeeze page. You really need to make sure that you product is top quality and your list will be eager to recieve and open your emails because they will know you only do good quality.

    Alternatively you could consider getting involved with niche related giveways which would result pretty much the same but for free. If you are short of cash I would definately go with giveaways.
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  • Profile picture of the author MattCatania
    There is no way I would ever, ever, EVER buy an email list.

    Try to think about this logically - why would somebody want to sell hundreds of thousands of leads in the forex niche when they could be putting good use to those leads themselves (assuming that these are quality leads)?

    The supposed owner of said mailing list would only have two reason as to why they would be trying to sell off what could have been a gold mine:

    1) The leads are junk and don't convert
    2) They need to make some quick money at the expense of uninformed people.

    Please believe me when I say that many people are against you buying emails because it's a really bad idea.

    Some of them may have had an equally dreadful experience doing exactly what you're about to do - I'd strongly advise you to listen to them.
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    Logic outweighs all.

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    • Profile picture of the author thorster
      Originally Posted by MattCatania View Post

      There is no way I would ever, ever, EVER buy an email list.

      Try to think about this logically - why would somebody want to sell hundreds of thousands of leads in the forex niche when they could be putting good use to those leads themselves (assuming that these are quality leads)?

      The supposed owner of said mailing list would only have two reason as to why they would be trying to sell off what could have been a gold mine:

      1) The leads are junk and don't convert
      2) They need to make some quick money at the expense of uninformed people.

      Please believe me when I say that many people are against you buying emails because it's a really bad idea.

      Some of them may have had an equally dreadful experience doing exactly what you're about to do - I'd strongly advise you to listen to them.
      Yeah, I'm starting to get that notion :rolleyes:

      According to him, he is getting out of the Forex niche and wants to monetize off the list he has. I actually think he has a completely different number in mind than I do which may explain why is he interested in selling.

      IF they are indeed Forex related emails, THEN this isn't any worse of an idea than sending to solo ad senders with much less targeted emails in my mind.

      I'm more than two winters old (as they say in the North) and will not jump on any too-good-to-be-true deals. I'm checking everything out and then it's of course a matter of price.

      But OK, I get that people don't think this is a good idea, and I'll certainly keep this in mind!
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      • Profile picture of the author Gary King
        Originally Posted by thorster View Post


        According to him, he is getting out of the Forex niche and wants to monetize off the list he has.
        Sometimes people simply get tired of working in a niche.

        That said, if a niche is making money for the person, it's MUCH harder for them to exit that niche...

        Tread carefully my friend.
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  • Profile picture of the author Shanes
    Real simple.

    What do you prefer? Quality or Quantity?

    Decide from there.
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    • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
      Banned
      Originally Posted by thorster View Post

      IF they are indeed Forex related emails, THEN this isn't any worse of an idea than sending to solo ad senders with much less targeted emails in my mind.
      No, sorry but this is wrong. It is worse than that idea. Much worse. Even if they are exactly what they've been described as.

      It's about (from the recipients' perspective - the few who ever see it, that is) "who the email comes from". Email marketing is about relationship building. The value of the list depends on how its recipients feel about the sender, how much trust and credibility that person has established, and so forth.

      Even if you do ever find a practicable way to send email to these people (and even that, in itself, isn't going to be trivial, you know?), you have established no trust or crediblity with them, because they don't know you.

      It's turned into a long thread, now, but actually Matt's post a little higher up (#21) was all anyone needed, here.
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      • Profile picture of the author thorster
        Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post

        No, sorry but this is wrong. It is worse than that idea. Much worse. Even if they are exactly what they've been described as.

        It's about (from the recipients' perspective - the few who ever see it, that is) "who the email comes from". Email marketing is about relationship building. The value of the list depends on how its recipients feel about the sender, how much trust and credibility that person has established, and so forth.

        Even if you do ever find a practicable way to send email to these people (and even that, in itself, isn't going to be trivial, you know?), you have established no trust or crediblity with them, because they don't know you.

        It's turned into a long thread, now, but actually Matt's post a little higher up (#21) was all anyone needed, here.

        I don't agree with that it's about who the information is coming from, but more importantly what the information is. The same rules apply for "traditional marketing" and online marketing, if you give your prospects good and relevant information they will be grateful and you can build a great relationship on top of that.

        Yes it's a long thread so this is my last comment here. Thank you all for contributing with your views!
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        • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
          Banned
          Originally Posted by thorster View Post

          I don't agree with that it's about who the information is coming from, but more importantly what the information is.

          Whether the email is opened and read
          , and in what instinctive frame of mind of the recipient, are not so much about its content.
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          • Profile picture of the author thorster
            Originally Posted by Alexa Smith View Post


            Whether the email is opened and read
            , and in what instinctive frame of mind of the recipient, are not so much about its content.
            It's about the offer inside the email... hence the power of headlines.
            If the content (expressed correctly in the headline) addresses a problem the prospect has and wants to solve, it will be read.
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            • Profile picture of the author MattCatania
              Originally Posted by thorster View Post

              If the content (expressed correctly in the headline) addresses a problem the prospect has and wants to solve, it will be read.
              Whilst that is partly true, let me assure you that you'd be much better off building your own list from scratch. A curiosity-pulling headline is only part of the formula - you could have the best headline in the world, but if that email comes from a complete stranger then your trust factor still stands at 0 (and your open rate will likely match that).

              This is especially true when these people on the list have no idea how you got their email - I'd surely be insulted if somebody sold off my email and I had others emailing me (who said that this guy is only going to sell this list exclusively to you, anyway?).

              The reason you start a list "fresh" is because those that opt-in expect you to email them. You may not have gained their trust in the first email, but that's exactly why list building is a relationship-building business.

              You'll get a much better response when people anticipate your emails rather than finding a random email from a stranger sitting within their inbox.

              Although I've given you my opinion, ultimately the decision is your as to whether you pursue this or not.

              Best of luck.
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              Logic outweighs all.

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  • Profile picture of the author gojiberryman
    The problem with buying list is the fact that usually the list is filled with junk emails(emails that have been spammed lots of times). This in-turn will seriously lower your chances of making a sale. Trust me, I have been through it myself multiple times. Your best bet would be to build your very own list of loyal subscribers because they will be fresh. This will skyrocket your chances of making a sale for sure.
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  • Profile picture of the author visimedia
    I have a better idea than "buying a list", trust me it's better to have a adswap or solo ads.... search it online, and warriors here are also doing this... in JV section... don't forget to hit the thx button bro... lol
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  • Profile picture of the author perfectlovehere
    I wouldn't recommend buying a list unless you know how it was built and if you can trust that person. Ask why they are selling it.
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  • Profile picture of the author celente
    Look, there are many topic in here on if you should build a list.

    The list is not the problem, lets reverse engineer this for a second.

    The person at the other end, is. either.

    1) just a number and has no previous relationship built. The money is in the relationship with him or her.

    2) Lists are bought and sold all the time, the person at the other end gladly deletes anything that looks like spam.

    3) Building a list of lets say 500 people yourself, with the latest people, and giving them fresh content, and building a relationship is more likely to buy from you than a list of 5000 emails just sitting out there, you do not know anything about.

    conclusion : I am not saying DO NOT buy lists. But I would buy it with money you can throw away. Cause I have heard really bad stories before. You probably have a small opportunity of it working, but only if you buy a list off a big marketer who does not spam his list. And I am guessing to buy this list, would could you about $1 - $2

    I still do not know why people would be selling them if they can make money from them. So that makes many people more skeptical. Especially if you know how good email marketing is. They are likely selling junk. Heck, you might make one or two sales, but i think there is a small window you will make lots with this.

    Just sayin.
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  • Profile picture of the author Damielle
    I would strongly suggest you stay away from purchasing a list.

    Apart from what has been said before about building your own list and building a relationship you also have to ask why any one would sell a list of hundreds of thousands of subscribers if it was profitable.

    Chances are its a junk email list and you will get a lot of spam complaints
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  • Profile picture of the author Randall Magwood
    Don't waste your time buying a list or a safelist. Start from ground 0 and build your list up quickly using good advertising techniques, and doing lots of free marketing.
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  • Profile picture of the author investasap
    DO NOT BUY A LIST
    Build one instead
    Allways best to build your own...
    Do solos then adswaps.
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    • Profile picture of the author Boogie40
      A purchased email list is a completely worthless investment, is not allowed by us or any other legitimate email marketing agency, and is against the CAN-SPAM law. Try and build your own list.
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  • Profile picture of the author kimfal
    I am going to chip in here as well....I am getting the feeling that you should not buy a list so...Don't Do It (no swosh...
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  • Profile picture of the author thorster
    So if I'm reading you guys right, I should at least give it a try?

    Jeez, ok, got it... NOT BUYING THE LIST!
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    • Profile picture of the author YasirYar
      Originally Posted by thorster View Post

      So if I'm reading you guys right, I should at least give it a try?

      Jeez, ok, got... NOT BUYING THE LIST!

      Try making your own list You will get a considerably higher click through rate than if you buy it if you actually know people on your list and they know you.

      Buying a list CAN be worthwhile, but even if it is a good quality list, it will not be as beneficial as one you have developed yourself

      Good luck and good decision
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  • Profile picture of the author 4Frankie
    Dont waste your money just get cracking but in the work and build a relationship and steadily you will build a great list.
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  • Profile picture of the author AlenGeorgeson
    Don't do it. I know it sounds alluring, but the list will be of very low quality. These people don't know you at all. They didn't sign up for your services, they might even complain about that! If you don't have a relationship with them, you won't make any money of them. It's that easy.

    Hope that helps
    Alen
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  • Profile picture of the author michaelcorvin
    The best way is to build your list via solo ads. Once you get a solid little list and can begin build rapidly doing swaps.

    We can help you get some serious traffic. View our WF post:
    http://www.warriorforum.com/warrior-...h-quality.html

    Michael Corvin
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