When you import email addresses into your email list marketing program, should you ask people to opt in?

For example, suppose you have been sending to your email list via Outlook or some other email service and you convert to an email list service provider, like Aweber. You can import your email list into Aweber.

By default, Aweber has automatic Opt In turned on, so before you can send to an email address, that person has to confirm their subscription to your newsletter.

The question is, should you turn the Opt In feature off when importing your existing email list so you can immediately send to the people on your email list?

The answer is this:

If you deliberately moved to an email service provider so you could prune your list and get rid of most of your email list, then require them to Opt In.

Otherwise, do not require them to Opt In. They already Opted In. That is why they are on your list.

That you are have changed your method of sending to them is an internal function to you and you should not bother them with your technical details except to notify them that they need to add your new from email address to their address book.

Even if they have not been reading your newsletter and are not interested in your current offerings, they may be interested in something you have in the future. So do them a favor and do not make them do extra work to stay on a list they are already on.

Good email list marketing companies:

• Aweber
• Constant Contact

By Andrew Weitzen (c) 2010

Weitzen is the publisher of several online Internet journals including: InternetHandholding.com, DomainNames.gs, DotNetNuke.bz, Evolve.name, Programmer.bz, SingleWordDomainNames.com, Software.vg, WebHosting.vg