Opt in

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How do I opt-in my old customer or member list?

ActiveCampaign’s email marketing service requires that your contacts be opted-in to receive marketing emails from you. This feature is essential for maintaining a compliant and effective email marketing strategy. This article will guide you through the process of opting-in your existing customer or member list, along with best practices and considerations to keep in mind.

Introduction

The opt-in process is crucial for building a successful email marketing list. It ensures that you have the explicit permission of your contacts to send them marketing emails. Without proper consent, you risk increased spam complaints, lower delivery rates, and overall negative engagement with your email campaigns.

If you have a list of contacts that you have not emailed in over a year, it’s important to confirm their interest and ensure they meet the criteria for being opted-in before you add them to your ActiveCampaign account.

How to access this feature

To access the opt-in process, you will not be utilizing your ActiveCampaign account initially. Instead, you will use your own email client to reach out to your contacts, as the opt-in confirmation emails must not originate from ActiveCampaign.

Step-by-step instructions

Follow these steps to successfully opt-in your old customer or member list:

1. **Compose an Email**: Using your preferred email client, draft an email to each contact that requires opt-in confirmation.

2. **Content Guidelines**: In your email, include the following elements:

  - Notify the contact of your intention to start an email newsletter or campaign soon.
  - Remind them how you obtained their email address previously.
  - Provide a link to your online subscription form hosted by ActiveCampaign.
  - Ensure the initial email does not appear as unsolicited marketing. Avoid promotional language like “Free!” or “50% off!” in both the subject line and body.

3. **Subscription Form**: Direct your contacts to the subscription form to be filled out for confirming their opt-in. Only contacts who complete this form will be considered opted-in.

4. **Incentives**: Optionally, offer an incentive for signing up. For example, you could provide a discount code, access to a white paper, or other gated content that may encourage subscriptions.

5. **Avoid Misleading Notifications**: Do not inform your contacts that they are already subscribed and offer an option to unsubscribe. This is not a valid method of securing opt-ins.

6. **Limit Contact Attempts**: Only send this opt-in email once. Future communications should only target those who completed the subscription form. Contacts who do not opt-in should be disregarded from your list.

7. **Review Your List**: Accept that this process may significantly reduce your list size, which is expected. Focus on retaining the most engaged and interested contacts.

Configuration options and settings

While there are no direct configuration options within your ActiveCampaign account for the opt-in process, knowing about the following terms will help you navigate it:

- Subscription Form: Ensure that the URL to your subscription form is clearly included in the opt-in email. This form must be created using the ActiveCampaign platform for automatic integration.

By using the appropriate tools and following the outlined processes, you can effectively manage your contacts and ensure that your email marketing remains compliant and engaging.

Best practices and tips

- Always maintain a clear record of how and when contacts were collected to ensure compliance with email marketing standards. - Regularly clean your contact list to remove those who haven’t engaged, and focus on nurturing relationships with those who are interested. - Consider sending periodic re-engagement campaigns to existing contacts to ensure their interests are still aligned with your offerings.

Common use cases with examples

1. **Reviving an Old List**: If you have not communicated with contacts for over a year, use this opt-in method to rejuvenate your email marketing efforts and only proceed with those who actively choose to stay connected.

2. **Updating User Interests**: When launching a new product line or service, use an opt-in email to gauge the interest of your existing contacts and update your records based on their feedback.

3. **Collecting Targeted Feedback**: When trying to gather information on customer preferences, an opt-in email can serve both to confirm interest and solicit valuable feedback about your offerings.

Troubleshooting section

- **Spam Complaints**: If you encounter a surge in spam complaints, reassess your initial email content and the frequency of communication. - **Low Engagement Rates**: If few contacts complete the opt-in process, consider reworking your email approach or the incentives offered.

Related features section

For more information on processing SMS marketing lists, refer to the steps for collecting SMS consent. Understanding both email and SMS consent can bolster your overall marketing strategy.

FAQ section

• Q1: What should I do if my contacts do not respond to the opt-in email?

A1: If contacts do not respond, it’s best to remove them from your list to maintain compliance and engagement integrity.

• Q2: Can I track who opts in via the subscription form?

A2: Yes, using the ActiveCampaign subscription form allows you to automatically track and store opt-in contacts in your account.

• Q3: Is there a limit on how often I can send opt-in emails?

A3: Yes, you should only send the opt-in email once to avoid overwhelming contacts and to maintain a positive relationship.

• Q4: How do I know if my past contacts are opted-in?

A4: You need to check if they have previously completed the subscription process or engage them again using the opt-in process outlined in this article.

• Q5: What are the risks of not following the opt-in process?

A5: Risks include higher spam complaints, lower email deliverability, and potential fines for non-compliance with anti-spamming laws.

• Q6: Can I still use the contacts that do not opt-in?

A6: It is recommended to discard any contacts that do not opt-in to maintain a healthy email list and improve engagement.

• Q7: What happens if my list size dramatically decreases after the process?

A7: A reduced list means you're focusing on engaged users, resulting in higher engagement rates and better campaign performance long-term.

By following these guidelines and the opt-in process, you can enhance your email marketing efforts significantly while building a stronger relationship with your contacts. ```