Double Opt-in - Don't Waste Your Money

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I recently did a test ad run for a squeeze page and ended up losing 62% of my leads and wasting a bunch of money. I just want to share what I did wrong so that others reading this don't make the same mistake.

The process I set up was to collect the lead using Aweber and then redirect through my affiliate link to a related product sales page.

It's a good thing that I tested this with a small budget because I forgot that this particular autoresponder list was set to confirmed (double) opt-in. DOUBLE DUH!

The big mistake I made was that I didn't give people a good incentive to confirm. The other mistake I made was redirecting directly to a sales page using double opt-in.

As a result, only 38% of the leads actually confirmed their email.

I should have had a page in between that instructed them to confirm their email and gave them a reason for them to do so (i.e. "you must confirm to get your free report...")

If you're thinking about using a similar strategy to build your list, either adjust your process for this or don't use double opt-in.

Hope this helps someone.
#main internet marketing discussion forum #double #money #optin #waste
  • Thanks for sharing Ron.
  • Always useful stuff. Thanks.
  • Well said Ron. The page in between is vital if you are going to use double-optin. As you said, you need to give them clear instructions on HOW they need to confirm but more importantly WHY they need to confirm.

    Make it clear that they will not receive the free stuff unless they confirm their email, and the reason they need to confirm is to help protect their own privacy.
  • Some really good points except I don't agree with the part "or don't use double opt-in." Personally I would keep adjusting but I would NEVER abandon the double opt-in.
  • There are pro's and con's to double optins. Not everyone will take the time to double optin therefore you are potentially loosing sign ups.

    However there is one good point to mention when using double optins. If someone does take the time to click and double optin in the chances are your emails will definately go into their inbox, rather than their junk.

    The amount of emails I receive that go direct to my junk rather than my inbox are huge, mainly because they haven't set up a double optin.

    Not quite sure of the technicalities as to why this works but for some reason it appears to, for me anyway!

    Lilach
  • What amazed me recently when I went to test iContact as so many people seem to be recommending them recently is that whilst you can redirect to a page after data entry to give confirmation instructions, there is no way to redirect to a thank you page after someone has clicked a confirmation link.

    I can find similar though different holes in every autoresponder offered on the market, so before anyone chimes in that Aweber or Getresponse are better, they have their achilles heel as well.
    • [1] reply
    • You reveal a bias when you refer to it as "double opt-in" as opposed to "confirmed opt-in" which is the more apt description.

      When you have a sign-in form, you really have no idea who is entering addresses in there. It could be someone using someone else's eMail address (or a fictitious address) thinking they will get a freebie without giving their own address or perhaps thinking they'll just annoy one of their buddies by signing them up for a bunch of lists.

      Essentially, ANYONE can enter an eMail address into a form field. Combine that, unconfirmed opt-in and a competitor or someone who really doesn't like you, and you're asking for trouble.

      I know this is one of those things where people will argue endlessly over, and this thread will likely go on for a few pages, but confirmed opt-in just makes sense. You don't want to be sending stuff to people who really didn't want it. (http://www.warriorforum.com/main-int...irmed-opt.html)
  • Dan I don't think that is what Ron was saying - this wasn't against a confirmed/double opt-in process at all.

    The point was to concentrate on one thing, the opt-in first and then worry about the secondary offer because otherwise you only get one bite at the cherry.
    • [1] reply
    • If that's true, then, sorry Ron, my bad.

      But a title of "Double Opt-In - Don't Waste Your Money" suggests otherwise.
      • [2] replies
  • I missed the past post you linked to "Why I Prefer Confirmed Opt-in." I like the switch to "confirmed". A good post and I agree with everything you wrote. Aweber and some others REQUIRE confirmed opt-in.
    • [1] reply
    • Actually, from what I think Paul told me many moons ago, I think it was IMers who started referring to confirmed opt-in as "double opt-in".
  • This is the best advice I've read today
  • To me the post made the context of the subject heading very clear. The two main take aways I got from Ron's original post was:

    1. Make sure you add a page reminding them to check their e-mail before sending them to a sales page (Aweber can do this automatically for you if you like).

    2. Make sure you give people an incentive so it increases the likelihood of checking their e-mail to confirm their opt-in.

    RoD
  • Thanks for the post.

    I like to direct them wherever I intended to direct them when they opt in the first time. The only time they confirm is when they receive the initial email.

    I like to make it easy for people to get the info instead of having them jump through many hoops. People are naturally lazy and procrastinate so I like to have them opt in to receive the info and then confirm their emails once and then they get the information they requested.

    Thanks for sharing that experience, I agree with you.
  • I want to add also, that I think the actual exercise of compliance inherent in having confirmation bait is a VERY powerful conditioning mechanism to use right at the beginning of the relationship.

    I will send you emails with good stuff in them. But to get the stuff, you have to go to your inbox, look for emails from me, open them, read them, and click. It sets the tone perfectly for what should follow. And it should follow many many many times.

    This is the same reason I tell people they need to have a CTA to leave a blog comment or some other click action for every email, even just content. You must condition the behavior you want over and over again - I want them to be compelled to follow through the process, because each time they do, they are conditioned to go with it a little easier the next time, and the next, and the next...

    Anyways, good post Ron.
    • [ 1 ] Thanks
  • Even if you aren't using a third party service for your autoresponder, you should check your webhost's terms and policies before electing not to require double opt-in. For example, one might assume that leasing a dedicated server would permit them to run their list building and email campaigns as they wish, as long as they weren't spamming. Many hosts require double opt-in, even on dedicated servers. HostGator for example.

    HostGator Dedicated Mail Policy

    John
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    Double Opt-in - Don't Waste Your Money

    I recently did a test ad run for a squeeze page and ended up losing 62% of my leads and wasting a bunch of money. I just want to share what I did wrong so that others reading this don't make the same mistake. The process I set up was to collect the lead using Aweber and then redirect through my affiliate link to a related product sales page.