Opt-in or no Opt-in for a promotional freebie

The only variable that separates a "poor quality lead" and a "high quality lead" is if they'll buy from you. And that is based upon your relationship with them, and whether or not they have a credit card. That's about it.

I've paid good money for leads that have turned out crappy, and have gotten free leads that turned out to be gold.

The truth is, it's hard to determine how each subscriber will turn out.

I would absolutely use your book as opt-in bait. But you know what? Why not split test it with an option to download it without opting in, and promote your list from within the book?

You could split test like crazy and have two separate lists; one where people opt in for the book, and one where people get it then opt in after. Sure, it's a lot more work, but it will answer yourself using the best data possible; your own.

If you ask me, I would use it as opt in bait.

But to play devil's advocate I could argue that if people opt in AFTER reading your content they'll be a more valuable subscriber, because your relationship will already be there.

Just remember to treat people on your list with respect, regardless of how they end up there, and then everybody wins.

Totally agree with Sarevok, you can sell your second book, third book, etc to your subscribers in future. Opt-in is necessary if you want to start your Internet business. Build rapport and build trust with them. Consumers only buy things when they trust on you.

Well, there are certainly a few thousand (or a few tens of thousands of) people here building businesses that way.

That's what it gets you if that's what your traffic comprises, clearly.

The people who opt in can only be a sub-group of the people who visit your page in the first place, can't they?

I don't quite see why they're alternatives? Can't you do that as well?

It's something you have to test for yourself, but it's going to depend very substantially on your traffic source.

For me, it would make absolutely no sense at all to give away the freebie without asking for the opt-in, but that's because the lists of freebie-downloaders I build from my sites are hugely valuable, because the traffic's high quality in the first place - that's what it boils down to.

Giving away the freebie without an opt-in will increase the number of people downloading it, but it certainly isn't going to improve their average quality . Like so many other IM issues, it's ultimately about whether an increase in quantity alone has any real value.

Giving away a freebie without opt in is like giving away review copies without wanting them to leave a review.

Require Opt-In up front...

All the quality people who would opt-in still on the back end of the download because they want more info.... STILL WILL.

People who are interested, obviously because the download, even though they maybe aren't 100% interested in receiving your emails also will. I am sure at least some of these people will be valuable. No Doubt!

Sure overall quality will be lower but so what? You will make more money... period.

Its like saying, would you rather have a website that makes $500 a month in user subscriptions OR have a website that makes $500 a month in user subscriptions and $100 a month in ad revenue? Your low quality subscribers will not make you as much but they are worth having. And who says what you are doing will provide you with low quality subscribers? It doesn't have to. I agree with Alexa in that you should pay attention to your traffic.

I suggest you to use your report as free WSO with a squeeze page to get leads.

Indeed you need to have a quality lead.

As others have said it would be insane to give away that eBook with no opt in.

They key to responsive subscribers is how you treat your list. If you treat them well by giving them free good quality content on a regular basis - and not try to sell something to them every day. They will see you are generally trying to help them and be more likely to buy your product when the time comes

You do want to get the opt-in. If the product is good and you continue to provide value to the list, people will stay on your list and you can begin to build your business.

Always use an opt-in if you are looking for exposure. You will have the opp to stay connected to your list and remind them who you are regularly. Unless you have a massive amount of money lined up for a huge traffic push. Otherwise you won't be getting into as many minds as you are hoping for.

Seems to me that with no opt-in you have no way to follow up. So with an opt-in at least you can follow up. Good list or bad list, at least it is a list.

Hey, I have split tested these theories before. It is always more beneficial to require an optin as your subscribers will most likely understand this.