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Thinking of going single optin

by Shannon Herod
9 replies
I have been using Aweber for the past 2 years and am building my list with double optin.

Now, my list is in no way huge, but it is at a size were I am making good money off of it.

Problem is I am missing a ton of subscribers due to the double optin process. I know that using Aweber and requiring the double optin increases deliverablity.

But does the increased delivery rate out way the lost subscribers?

Some quick math... (all numbers are made up for easy math)

10,000 people optin lets go for a high 70% confirm.

That equates to 3,000 lost subscribers.


Now with a single optin you get all 10,000 names and emails but lose dileverability.

Now instead of getting 95% delivered you are at 79%

lets do some math

Double optin at 95% = 6,650 email delivered

Single optin at 79% = 7,900 emails delivered


Assuming a service that will allow single optins will get you at least a 71% delivery rate, in this example, single optin wins.


What are your thoughts.

Again, all numbers are made up and used for easy math.

Shannon
#double opt-in #optin #single #single optin #thinking
  • Profile picture of the author KimW
    Double optin is the way to go for many reasons, but to be able to PROVE someone signed up to protect yourself from a SPAM charge should be reason enought.
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    • Profile picture of the author Shannon Herod
      Originally Posted by Majik View Post

      Double optin is the way to go for many reasons, but to be able to PROVE someone signed up to protect yourself from a SPAM charge should be reason enought.
      I would agree with that, but not entirely. Unless things have change you are not required by US law to prove a double optin to be complaint.

      In my opinion it is good to have the extra security, but am starting to question the profitability of that extra security?

      But, as I have said, as of right now my entire list was built with a double optin process and looking over the numbers I have indeed lost THOUSANDS of names and email due to the process.

      Also, a vast majority of my list are buyers.

      Shannon
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      • Profile picture of the author KimW
        Originally Posted by Shannon Herod View Post

        I would agree with that, but not entirely. Unless things have change you are not required by US law to prove a double optin to be complaint.

        In my opinion it is good to have the extra security, but am starting to question the profitability of that extra security?

        But, as I have said, as of right now my entire list was built with a double optin process and looking over the numbers I have indeed lost THOUSANDS of names and email due to the process.

        Also, a vast majority of my list are buyers.

        Shannon
        I'm guessing you meant compliant,not complaint in the first sentence?

        I wasn't thinking about US Law, I was thinking about possible shutdown by your host.

        This statement should also clue you in about double option:
        "Also, a vast majority of my list are buyers."

        Why do you think that is? You might want to look at it this way, you may instead of losing names, you are refining your list down to people that will actually spend money with you.

        That type of list should be your goal.
        Kim
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        • Profile picture of the author Shannon Herod
          This statement should also clue you in about double option:
          "Also, a vast majority of my list are buyers."

          Why do you think that is? You might want to look at it this way, you may instead of losing names, you are refining your list down to people that will actually spend money with you.

          That type of list should be your goal.
          Kim
          That is a very good point, and well taken. I think it is just good business to re-evaluate things from time to time. I do appreciate your input.


          I'm guessing you meant compliant,not complaint in the first sentence?
          Yes, that is what I meant.

          Shannon
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        • Profile picture of the author Neil Morgan
          This statement should also clue you in about double option:
          "Also, a vast majority of my list are buyers."

          That doesn't mean that unconfirmed opt-in subscribers wouldn't be buyers because some of them would.

          It's a balance between getting those extra sales and living with the perceived implications of unconfirmed opt-in. Personally, I've used single/unconfirmed opt-in for over 7 years and I can't remember a single spam complaint. So at this point, I don't feel a pressing desire to switch to confirmed opt-in.

          As with everything I guess, it's a case of choosing the method that works for your business and keeping things under review.

          Cheers,

          Neil
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          • Profile picture of the author Shannon Herod
            I've used single/unconfirmed opt-in for over 7 years and I can't remember a single spam complaint. So at this point, I don't feel a pressing desire to switch to confirmed opt-in.
            Hey Neil,

            Do you know an estimate of you deliverability, or do you think you have an issue with that?

            Also, what solution do you use.


            Shannon
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          • Profile picture of the author KimW
            Originally Posted by Neil Morgan View Post

            This statement should also clue you in about double option:
            "Also, a vast majority of my list are buyers."

            That doesn't mean that unconfirmed opt-in subscribers wouldn't be buyers because some of them would.

            It's a balance between getting those extra sales and living with the perceived implications of unconfirmed opt-in. Personally, I've used single/unconfirmed opt-in for over 7 years and I can't remember a single spam complaint. So at this point, I don't feel a pressing desire to switch to confirmed opt-in.

            As with everything I guess, it's a case of choosing the method that works for your business and keeping things under review.

            Cheers,

            Neil
            Of course it doesn't means some might not be buyers I wasn't intending to imply that,if you think I did.But I do believe that someone that will go thru the double optin procedure is a more motivated potential customer.

            By the way Shannon, if you ever want to own your own autoresponder, you might want to try Neil's ARP, I've been a customer of it for years.
            Kim
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            • Profile picture of the author Shannon Herod
              I think you'll find some marketers agreeing with me that single opt-in will be outlawed one day. So the faster one builds a double opt-in list the better.

              You already see some prominent marketers building seperate lists by sending an email to their single opt-in subscribers to opt-in to their double opt-in list. This will become a trend soon.

              Fabian
              Hey Fabian,

              That is a great point. But if we do look at all the big boys I would say a vast majority of them do you use single opt in opposed to double opt in.

              I tried to join every marketer's list I can find just to monitor the market. I have noticed that a very large percentage of the marketers do use single opt in.

              I am hesitant to leave Aweber just so I can get single opt in because I love their deliverability, but my numbers are telling me I would be better off elsewhere.

              Now, what oh what will I do?

              Also, I obviously do believe in double opt in because I have built my entire list using that method, but it is getting harder and harder to stick with that belief.

              Shannon
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