"Building a list" in the age of disposable emails

10 years ago

that means just extra work because you have to delete these useless adresses from lists, i hope that doesn't happen to my lists..

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aleksbogata

10 years ago

I guess you wouldn't know straight off if the email address is disposable or not. I can sort of understand from their point of view although you can always unsubscribe if you get spammed.

As Sakuzki said, I hope this does not happen to my lists!

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aleksbogata

10 years ago

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agmccall

10 years ago

That is why I have mostly moved away from giving away a free ebook. Now, instead, I offer free tutorial series. i.e. 10 free lessons on how to do "X" This way if they want your content they will have to get the emails.

al

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discrat

10 years ago

Originally Posted by agmccall

That is why I have mostly moved away from giving away a free ebook. Now, instead, I offer free tutorial series. i.e. 10 free lessons on how to do "X" This way if they want your content they will have to get the emails.

al

I know I tried 'training course with 10 lessons thing' for a number of years and it was just not nearly as effective (as far as optin rate) than giving away a Free E-book or Report.

People just like getting something they feel that is somewhat tangible and it is for FREE. Similar to like getting a Gift. People will always love that.

They do not see training lessons that way.

Also if you have an E-book Cover inside of the Squeeze Page or Optin Box with your name at the bottom of the Cover..........well that even makes the optin rate that much higher from my experience.

As far as the disposable emails and that being a problem with your PDF? I would not get rid of your E-book if it is of quality.

In your Squeeze Page or Optin Box say something like "get my Free E-book sent directly to your Email etc.."

That should work if they are really serious about getting the report and giving you their actual email address

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IanM723

10 years ago

Originally Posted by agmccall

That is why I have mostly moved away from giving away a free ebook. Now, instead, I offer free tutorial series. i.e. 10 free lessons on how to do "X" This way if they want your content they will have to get the emails.

al

Yeah, I really like this idea. For instance, in your case, instead of giving them the entire e-book all at once, you could actually email them one chapter every few days.

While this seems like a lot more work, I think you are engaging them and also providing value over time which can at least help you to establish a relationship with them.

I think the bottom line is that you have to find some way to make your email stand out and be different than the 50 affiliate offer emails that your subscribers will get everyday.

Email marketing is definitely tougher than it used to be but can still be profitable.

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artbum

10 years ago

Originally Posted by agmccall

That is why I have mostly moved away from giving away a free ebook. Now, instead, I offer free tutorial series. i.e. 10 free lessons on how to do "X" This way if they want your content they will have to get the emails.

al

That's awesome and brilliant. thanks

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Aussie_Al

10 years ago

I try to make it very clear on my sites "sign up for our Newsletter and get a free report"

So everyone is clear you will be getting emails from me as well - I would say my opt out rate is like 2-3% (depending on the niche)

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Rory Singh

10 years ago

Giving a way something for free can 'attract' people who don't want to get on your list and receive your emails daily. You can get some people who will opt in for your newsletter but many can be opting just for your freebie offer.

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talfighel

10 years ago

You know how some people will enter a bogus email just to see the next page so that they can download a free report or what ever free stuff you are offering.

Instead of giving them that report on the next page, just don't. Tell them that they need to use their real email to view the report. You would be surprised to know that some will hit the BACK button and go back to your opt in page to enter their real email.

This is what I am doing right now and it works well.

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SeanSupplee

10 years ago

Maybe it's time to reconfigure how we do email advertising. Giving them a small bit of something right out of the gate but only if they check their email tomorrow or 2 days from now do they get the full copy. At least that might make people use their legit email account?

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lotsofsnow

10 years ago

Originally Posted by cdutoit

I've noticed an interesting trend [...]

What is interesting is that I've had about 10 registrations over the last 3 weeks, and ALL 10 used "disposable" email addresses.

10 registrations over 3 weeks it not something that I would use to draw any conclusions.

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OfficerIM 10 years ago

Originally Posted by hpgoodboy

10 registrations over 3 weeks it not something that I would use to draw any conclusions.

If the idea has been brought up, we unfortunately still need to consider it. That's how you stay ahead of the game.
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- CliffUK 10 years ago
  
  There are many ways around this dilemma for IMers. For example, off the cuff, we could:
  
  1. Have them first register on the website using a valid email address which must be verified by clicking on the emailed link, or
  2. Have them email you directly to request an access code, or URL which you can then validate in your list or reply directly to, or
  3. Other suggestions already given, or
  4. Require some specific response on receipt of an email from your email campaign software to demonstrate they are reading your emails and taking the required action, or
  5. Some other option.
  
  The bottom line is - if they want your product or service strongly enough they will give you what you ask for, and if not they will use temp or bogus email addresses simply to avoid those extra unwanted emails. Imho it is up to each IMer to adapt and find a smart and convenient solution to suit them, in order to maintain an ongoing relationship with that customer/subscriber etc.
  
  Perhaps this should not be seen as a problem so much as an opportunity to build stronger connections.
  
  Thanks
  
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jasondinner

10 years ago

I haven't seen that problem. Could be your source of traffic.

But it's going to happen. Just don't give up after 10 and don't assume they're all going to be like that.

Could also be the website you've built to give the report away. If it looks like crap or doesn't look trustworthy, could be having an impact on what email address someone wants to give you in exchange for your book

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Jarvis Edwards 10 years ago

Not sure what your free PDF is titled, but many call them "Free Reports," "Whitepapers" etc. Many people are used to getting free downloads, so what you label your PDF can alter their perception, even if just a small bit.

Here's an example of what I mean:

"Download the FREE PDF, "Become an Expert at Forex," an it will be sent to your email address...."

OR

"Download your copy of "Become an Expert at Forex, Volume II. Edition 3," and you will receive your free copy, and free copies of future releases, by leaving your email address....."

So, in short, I've found that promising people future updates of the info product is a step in the right direction to at least get them to consider giving a real email address instead of a "throw away."

It also lends to the assumption: "hey, this is an info product that has been around for a while, and refined over time--probably worthy of keeping in my inbox!"
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Geri Richmond 10 years ago

Good advice Jason. You shouldn't assume that they will all be throw away emails.

It could have something to do with your website. :-)
Good luck with what you decide.
Geri Richmond
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Max Anderson

10 years ago

Don´t offer a freebie, make them want more content from you.

Easy to say, hard to execute.

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Coby

10 years ago

Here is what I would do if you are afraid of getting fake emails...

Instead of offering the entire e-book on your site. Only offer like 1/4 to 1/2 of the content then make them opt-in to get the rest.

These days folks are willing to give up an email address for something that has value to them. However, if they don't know you or what type of content you produce they will be more likely to give you a "fake email" to just check out the report.

If instead only put a small amount of the content on the site and then have a "click to continue" to go to the "next page" of the report where you can instead show them an opt-in.

This should get you some better leads.

Cheers,
Coby

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Geri Richmond 10 years ago

Hi,

I actually like that idea, rather than a free e-book. :-)
Geri Richmond
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Geri Richmond

10 years ago

Hi,

I believe that if they think it's valuable, they will give you their email address without hesitation.

What you're suggesting is a tease. Some people don't like that. :-)

Just my opinion.
Geri Richmond

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Coby

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Geri Richmond

Hi,

I believe that if they think it's valuable, they will give you their email address without hesitation.

What you're suggesting is a tease. Some people don't like that. :-)

Just my opinion.
Geri Richmond

I agree that it could be viewed as a "tease". But my idea behind it was to provide them some value upfront before asking for an email.

So, folks should get value upfront - rather than just a teaser. If that makes sense. Prove to them upfront that it is indeed something that they will want (with out hesitation).

This way they know it's quality and they can trust you with their real email address.

Cheers,
Coby

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hustlinsmoke

10 years ago

Yes that has been a growing pain for a couple of years now.
One thing you can do is give pertanent information in a timely format. This way they will have to keep up with it and a email that will expire wont help.

Several ways to combat it but no way to win completely.

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RobertoM 10 years ago

Use double-optin in your autoresponder. They can still unsubscribe after downloading you ebook, but you'll get real email addresses and then ask directly to the unsubscribers why they did so.
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- myob 10 years ago
  
  LOL! The "age of disposable emails" has been around since hotmail.
  
  IMNSHO, email marketing still is one of the top most effective marketing methods ever. Prospects who enter fake or disposable emails are not prospects at all, and this "trend" is more than likely a reflection on your marketing model.
  
  Try using longer sales copy with classic closing techniques on your opt-in form. Getting someone to give their best email address is no less a mark of good salesmanship than marketing your products. The same methods apply.
  
  Perhaps one of the best classics detailing this marketing concept (including how to implement it) is "Permission Marketing", by Seth Godin.
  
  Thanks
  
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- Don B 10 years ago
  
  I agree with Roberto - the double opt-in ensures it's a real address, while getting them onto your list.
  
  Thanks
  
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Brent Stangel

10 years ago

Prospects who enter fake or disposable emails are not prospects at all

I agree.

I put "Enter your best email, your (freebie) will be sent instantly to your inbox." Phony email = No Freebie!

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zimzalabim

10 years ago

Some people will use the disposeable/one-off email route. It's an option for them regardless of steps discussed in this thread to "discourgae" it.

Another thing we'll all have experienced as list builders arre those who subscribe, download their thing and then instantly unsubscribe. That happens too.

All part of list building/email marketing. We have to live with it I guess.

For those (the vast majority I'd suggest) who do use a "proper" email address - give them their freebie (or whatever), treat them right and you'll likely have long term subscribers.

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travlinguy

10 years ago

Throwaway email accounts and freebie seekers is hardly new. It's been happening since the very beginning of online marketing. I still have an account I use to "test" the waters when I sign up for something. If the material is good I'll opt out of my throwaway acct and sign up with my primary.

There are several ways to deal with this. As mentioned, break your free offer into modules of some kind and deliver them over the course of a week or two.

But none of this matters really unless you're delivering excellent content. That's what's going to hook the subscriber and make him want to stay with you.

The other thing you can do is charge a small fee for the report. Then you're building a buyer's list and not a freebie seekers list. This approach also heavily depends on you having excellent content even if you're only charging a couple of bucks.

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Floyd Fisher

10 years ago

Do not know what autoresponder you are using....but why can't you block those email addresses you claim are disposable from signing up?

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2 replies

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IMMer1975 10 years ago

Some awesome replies here, thanks everybody.

One point of clarification - based on some of the responses I realize some thought I was talking about a fake email address. I'd like to clarify that - it's a disposable email address being used. It is real in all respects. The person receives email there, but it is a one-time or few-time use only.
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IMMer1975 10 years ago

Originally Posted by Floyd Fisher

Do not know what autoresponder you are using....but why can't you block those email addresses you claim are disposable from signing up?

Very good point but I see more and more companies offering this service across hundreds of domains. I guess one can at least check for many of them to minimize the issue.
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Freelancing10

10 years ago

Personally, I use my real email every time I opt-in to a page. If I am opting in, it means that I am interested in what is being offered, and if they are selling something in the back end, why not find out. In the past I did use to use a disposable email address, but I haven't for years. So what I am getting at is, I am almost certain most people use their real email address. And if you got 10 in a row, it was just the draw of the cards.

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Joseph Villanueva

10 years ago

Good riddance! You wouldnt want to work with those thieves in the first place. Even if they got a free ebook from you, just give it to them as a gift because they will never amount to anything with that kind of mindset.

That being said a real person who sees the true value of your ebook will look past your free product and see the person who wrote it is much more valuable and can ultimately help them with their business.

When you give out free ebooks or tutorials you are giving people a piece of your brand. Isnt that what we want? Branding ourselves as leaders in our niches?

Let the baby have their bottle and the real people will always rise up and join you in your vision as long as you keep believin in yourself and learning to scale bigger.

PS. I dont offer ebooks or pdf downloads but instead a video tutorial link page to my site so they are always goin back to my page in order to learn more. They can go to my youtube channel as well. I overwhelm my student and leads with so much value that they feel loke they stole free info from me that they are willing to join my team(even if they were freebie seekers or email disposable tricksters).