In a recent research effort, I subscribed to ten different opt-in e-mail marketing lists to see which ones were effective. Many websites and e-businesses have resorted to sending promotional materials to people who have subscribed to them in an effort to boost their sales or traffic. Opt-in email marketing sends newsletters, catalogs, updates and many more promotional materials to website visitors who have agreed to be updated periodically.

Through e-mail, an internet user that is on the list will receive their updates through email. If a promotional material piques their interest they will go to the site to learn more or to purchase outright. For the website operators or owners, this is a chance to remind their list of their existence and parlor their wares. With numerous sites on the internet that offer the same products or services in one way or the other, the competition can get pretty tight and it is easy to be forgotten.

Back to my research, I tried to find out which opt-in marketing strategies attracted a person and made them beg for more. Some material I received was fairly simple and straight forward, some was very outlandish, and many of the ten fel somewhere in between. The differences could easily be noticed and some employed a very effective opt-in marketing strategy. I labeled them effective because I felt like I just couldn't wait to go to their site and learn more. The more persuasive ones even got me halfway to reaching for my wallet and my credit card before I realized this was only for research.

Many companies and sites present their promotional materials in a wide variety of concepts. Each has their own distinctive style and designs, but more than the outline and the presentation, the content and the articles are what keeps the attention of your potential customer locked on to your opt-in marketing medium. Creativity is the key here.

From talking to many satisfied opt-in list subscribers and forums, I have learned of what is essential in opt-in marketing and what makes the subscribers begging for more instead of lining up to unsubscribe.

Keep your promotional materials light, creative and original. Many people are stressed out as it is. Getting a stuffy business proposal rather than a light hearted e-mail may just agitate them more. A warm friendly smile or banter is always more welcome than a serious business meeting or proposal. While you do want your customers to take you and your products and services seriously, you also want to show them that you know how to have fun.

Splash some color in your emails as well as provide some photos and articles that can be related to you but show good news or good light hearted images as well. Provide a newsletter or promotional materials that will keep them in a light mood. Make your materials so eye catching and grabbing that they won't be able to take their eyes of them. Pique their interests.

Have good content and article, even if it means investing in an experienced and professional copy writer to write them for you. An effective copy writer should be able to build trust between you and your customers. They should be able to establish your credibility in what they write. It must be informative but not too stuffy. Let go of the professional jargons and "talk" to your subscribers.

A good article and content should be able to outline the benefits of your product and services and why they need what you are offering. But do not appear be overeager or too persuasive. It should be able to entertain as well as lead them to buying from you. My newsletters always contain value-added content in the form of business building advice and guidance. I want you to benefit before I do.

Your promotional materials should be clear. Don't leave people guessing. You should lead them to you and not vice versa. Explain to them what they need to do in a manner that won't be confusing. Try also to anticipate what your target client needs. Do your research and information gathering, many sites will be able to help you with that.

Provide clear and crisp images of what you are offering. If the people know what you have for them, they are more likely to beg for more. For example, if you are selling a car, provide them photos but only enough to encourage them to go to your site for more.