Okay, how do you get people to voluntarily give your their email
address? By providing many opportunities for visitors to submit
something ... anything. Each of these forms should include a
place for them to enter their email address.
Now, do NOT sell or give out these email addresses. There is no
need to do this, and in fact there are significant reasons to
not do so. Most people do not want their private data spread all
over the internet, and very few people want to wind up on
hundreds or thousands of spam lists.
One valuable, non-spam way to use these email addresses is
called an autoresponder. What this means is that you send out an
automatic email message when the user submits something to you.
Just one message, which can say anything that you want.
Be sure that you indicate you are doing this in the description
of whatever from they are filling out. A simple line like "you
will receive one email confirming your entry" or something like
that is all you need.
Some examples of where this is appropriate:
- Guest book - Polls and surveys - Feedback forms - Any other
form that you have the user fill out which includes his email
address.
Keep this email very short (one screen maximum) and be sure and
include a way for him to opt-in (sign up) for your email
newsletter (I assume you've got an email newsletter?). This will
permanently give you, with your visitor's permission, his email
address. Again, respect your visitor's privacy. You where given
an email address for a specific purpose. Don't abuse it or you
will lose your visitor.
Why is it important to send a confirmation email? Well, you had
someone visit your site and actually do something. He took the
time to fill out a form, do a survey or sign your guest book. I
personally think it's great to send him a quick thank you note.
Also, it's a great way to include a quick advertisement or two
(don't overdo it).
The main purpose, however, is to remind him about your site. The
guy or gal is surfing the web and stumbles on your site. He
likes it so leaves a guest book entry telling you it's great,
then surfs other sites for another hour. He's forgotten about
you and may never return.
Except that when he opens up his email he'll have a quick email
thanking him for his guest book entry and reminding him about
some services that you offer. Now he remembers your site and
perhaps returns. That's the main purpose ... follow-up. Give
them a chance to return. And those are the best visitors of all,
the ones that keep coming back.
About the author:
Richard Lowe Jr. is the webmaster of Internet Tips And Secrets.
This website includes over 1,000 free articles to improve your
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http://www.internet-tips.net Weekly newsletter:
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