Affiliate marketers and list builders : Please Help

Option 1 definately

I also recommend option 1 to have best results.

I think most experienced marketers would say test all three if you can! Might be a little complicated, but you could try to approximate the three different approaches and see which converts best. Actually, I THINK you could do it with one list on aWeber (I think) - have 3 different forms with different 'thank you' pages, and the members could be segmented when they sign up. Bit tricky, but might be worth it in the long run - split testing can uncover small changes that lead to huge increases in conversions sometimes.

Hi Hardik! Is your content on article directories written for people who need a quick solution, or for readers looking for more relevant info and advice so they could make an informed decision?

Example Situation 1: My target readers are people with online businesses and 0 to average relevant server hardware and software knowledge and experience who have recently been victimized with a new notorius Web server virus and a few variants which can render their Web server data unusable. I have a manual reversal guide for this virus and its variants requiring above average networking tech skills and experience. I submit this to article directories. I wrote it for the purpose of converting the target audience into willing buyers. In my opinion, pointing them to my opt-in download page to get a detailed review of 3 quick fix affiliate product solutions which can conveniently solve their problems and prevent such issues in the future would be an effective way to do this. Once I have helped them solve their problems with reasonably priced, full featured effective products, they'll most likely keep posted for my relevant newsletters, updates and product reviews.

Example Situation 2: My target readers are people with online businesses and 0 to average relevant server hardware and software knowledge and experience. They need to prevent their server data from being corrupted with the new notorius Web server virus and a few variants which can render their Web server data unusable. I have a semi-detailed review of the 8 most effective products that can conveniently reverse the effects of the virus and its variants as well as protect Web servers from possible infections. I submit this to article directories. I wrote it for the purpose of converting the target audience into possible mailing list subscribers then willing buyers. In my opinion, pointing them to my opt-in download page to get a full detailed review of 3 quick fix affiliate product solutions which I have tested myself and proven to be the best among the 8 in conveniently solving their security concerns would be the most effective way to do this. They would most likely trust me in such relevant situations and concerns since I helped them out, so it's likely they'd keep posted for my relevant newsletters, updates and reviews.

In both situations, I think this'll also provide me with beneficial viral marketing results.

I have to say option 1, as well. I think it's a good opportunity to build your credibility and make your subscriber's want to learn more.

Hi Hardik,

Option 3 is bad. I would forget that one.

As I understand it from your post, the only real difference between options 1 and 2 is the difference between single opt-in and confirmed opt-in? Is this right, or did I miss something?

The only way to know whether single opt-in or confirmed opt-in is going to work better for you, with this niche, with this product, with this autoresponder series, is to test it. Everyone has their own opinions about which is better in principle, and some people hold those opinions very strongly and firmly, to the point of assuming that anyone who doesn't agree with them is just plain wrong. None of that is helpful to you.

I did some testing (it's not that easy to test, contrary to what some people say, and especially when you're only just starting!), and now I generally decide on a niche-by-niche basis. I actually have 5 single opt-in lists and 3 confirmed opt-in.

For anything involving "IM advice" or "make money online" (not my niches), I would strongly advise you to use confirmed opt-in, myself. Personal opinion only.

Nobody will convince me that I need confirmed opt-in for a cauliflower soup recipes niche (though many have tried).

You'll definitely build a bigger list with single opt-in. That doesn't necessarily mean that you'll make any more money, though.

On the other hand, you can also ignore people who say "If they're not going to confirm their opt-in, they're not going to buy anything either". Some people do believe this - where they get it from, I have no idea.

I have two further comments (you don't get rid of me that easily) ...

1. You say you'll be asking for their name and email address. Ok - this is what many people do. But don't assume that you "have to do it that way". You can take just their email address and not their name, if you decide to - and you'll get a few more, that way. It's a decision. (People often tell me that it's worth asking for their names so you can address them by their names in your autoresponder messages, but this isn't compulsory and I'm not convinced at all by their "reasoning"; and there are even some people who think it makes you look like a salesman, to do that.)

2. You say that the total autoresponder series will comprise 9 emails. Why? What's going to happen after the 9th email? Are you just going to ignore them?! :confused:

(I think every 36 hours may be too quick, as well, but this is a different matter.)

I would use option one. . .

But I would change a few details . . .

For example, you are sending a promotional email right away in just the third message. Research says people will not buy from you until the 7th-10th point of contact. So this is around contact 5 (the third email) so I would push it back just a bit, maybe add 2 more helpful emails, or better yet, add the two I just mentioned then the next one will be a half and half email . . .

For example, you will 'educate' them on something that the product does or why they need say more traffic or whatever the product offers, then add a subtle link at the end saying "If you would like more traffic check this "xxx" product".

Then on your 6th email do a full promo for that product. then go back to your 2 tips/1 sales combo after that.

I think this will help you convert the vistors easier into buyers.

Hope this helps and Good Luck