If you haven’t looked at all the offers for email marketing lists, now isn’t a good time. There are tons and tons of companies offering email marketing lists for sale and it’s important you know how to choose an email marketing lists. One of the main problems with this is that the quality of these list vary greatly. I’ve seen many list recently with email addresses over 10 years old! There are many of these old obsolete list still available and a lot of these fly by night list companies and individuals are getting a hold of them and selling them as new “HOT” fresh lists!

It can be very difficult finding a reputable email list broker who has a targeted list of current and active email addresses. If you’re new to email marketing, then I’m sure those ads for thousands, if not millions, of email addresses for as little as $99 are tempting. If you must crap $99 away, then please, send it to me! This is one reason more and more beginners are creating their own opt in email list.

When you’re trying to choose email marketing lists, there are a few things you want to watch out for.

First, look at the overall reputation of the list broker. Do they have a track record online? Ask for references and walk away from companies that can not provide you with real people who’ve used their services before.

Next, ask for a sample of the email addresses. What you’re looking for are old defunct domain names. This will tell you something about the list. If I start seeing a lot of names from domains such as juno, angelfire or any of the other free host that were prevalent back in the mid to late 90′s and early 2000′s, I’m not going to walk away, I’m going to run! Sure, juno and angelfire are still around, but you’ll see very few people with email addresses from those domains as compared to years past when they were some of the top providers.

I also want to know that the email list is a fresh list of double opt in addresses. If you’re sold an old outdated email list and the people on that list didn’t opt in or otherwise give their permission to receive email from third party vendors, you could be accused of SPAM and have a nasty visit from the authorities. They don’t play around with companies that SPAM. Make sure you get confirmation that every name on that list has opted in for email from third party visitors. If the email list broker can not supply that to you, go find one that can.

Another thing you want to know is how often has the email list been sold. If you’re selling a cool game, the list you buy will do little for you if it’s been sold thousands of times to other entrepreneurs such as yourself. The people on that list have likely been hammered by other companies selling games and other electronics and are tired of seeing these types of emails pop up in their inbox. This is why it’s so important to get your hands on a fresh list and one that hasn’t been peddled all around the Internet.

One more thing I look for in a list is how targeted it is. I want to know how the names on the list were obtained and what niche they came from. I also want to know a little about the demographics of such list. It won’t help me or my company if I send out thousands of emails to people who have no interest in my product or service. In fact, it can do more harm than good.

I also want to point out a mistake a lot of marketers will make. Whether it is on purpose or just because they are unethical. If you’re going to want to use the list over and over, make sure that the list you buy will allow you to do this. Many won’t. And you could be in breech of contract or be charged with theft by deception if you try and use the list over and over.

I know, some of you are wondering how the list broker will know. Well, it’s as simple as putting a dozen or so of their own emails into the list. That way, you wont know which names are theirs and if they keep getting emails from you to certain email addresses, then they know your using the list over and over again. They’ll also use these email addresses as evidence when they bring civil and legal actions against you and/or your company.

If this all sounds like it will be expensive, you’re right, it is. Good quality lists are not cheap. But on the other hand, good quality lists can be a small goldmine for your products if the demographics are right. This is why it’s so important to learn how to choose email marketing lists that will drive your sales through the roof.

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