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Run a Contest: Build a Large Opt In List Targeted for Your
Products
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By Charity Adams
[Hits: 5479]
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Run contests on your website (or include surveys and polls) tograb opt-ins for your newsletter then put your new subscribersto work for you.
A contest at your web site works on the same principle assigning up for a contest to win a free dinner at a localrestaurant. Both parties get something of value (you get theircontact information and they win a prize). Make sure that theregistration for this contest is SIMPLE. Your visitor should nothave to spend more than a minute or two to complete the task -otherwise, they'll frequently opt-out and leave your site beforeyou've had a chance to get their email address.
To run a contest find a prize, set a date, create the terms andconditions and promote.
Pick the prize that you think will get your most targetedvisitors to your site, for instance if you run a site on airpurification you might want to give away an air purifier. Why,because you are seeking to target your list for your productsand services. The prize relates directly to the target market,people who have indoor air pollution issues. Giving away $5000will create several opt ins to your list very quickly but youwill create a list of people who are seeking a cash prize, not alist of people who may eventually be interested in your airpurification products. After all the goal is not the size of thelist but the responsiveness of it.
Set the date for the contest. Run short contests for 3 reasons.Reason 1. This will give you the chance to contact yoursubscribers very quickly by announcing that the contest has beencompleted. Any opportunity you have to connect to yoursubscribers is a good one. Your subscribers will become familiarto your list if you build a relationship with them. What betterway they to announce the winner and provide them with somevaluable information at the same time.
Reason 2. You can promote your contest for free at contestdirectories. The promotion time is short lived. You will get aburst of subscribers for a few days and then it will taper off.If you run short contest you can submit your contest more oftenkeep a revolving door of new subscribers coming to your site.
Reason 3. You can keep your subscribers coming back to your sitetime and time again using your list and your contest. Contactyour winner with a personal email. Ask their permission to posttheir testimonial on your site with a picture if possible. Nextsend an announcement to your list stating the winner has beenposted on the site. Please visit the site to see if you have wonthe prize. Viola your visitors will keep coming back.
Be sure to include terms and conditions with your contest. Findsimilar contest review their terms and conditions and work fromthere. It is probably best to have your lawyer review the termsif you have something of value to lose. State that the winnermust have a valid email address to win. You never want to give aprize away to someone how enters bogus information just to win.A valid email address on your list is a must. I also put thisright on the sign up form to deter junk entries.
The mechanics of the contest entries are simple you can runacontest or a poll with an autoresponder. Use their form andtracking idea and you are all set to take entries, keep can spamcompliant and email your new subscribers.
To market your contest and draw a ton of free visitors to yoursite hunt down contest directories and contest announcementlists at Yahoo and Topica. :
Open up notepad and create a little cut and paste text file touse when you start submitting your contest to directories.
Key points to include in your notepad document. the directorieswill ask for. *Title of your contest *Description of yourcontest *Description of your prize with value *Contactinformation *Link to your terms and conditions *Link to yourcontest sign up page *Date your contest is over *Special ruleslike: Must be over 18 to enter, USA only, *Entry schedule: Isthis a one time entry or can contestants enter more than once.
In less than 24 hours you should start seeing new opt ins if youhave a compelling prize. Your new list will be targeted andready to receive information on your products.
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