Can / should I buy an email list from an established reputable company?

That's false. It is perfectly legal to buy a list from a list broker and send emails to that list.

Usually the companies do the actual email blast when you are 'renting' not buying the list. Very often a reputable broker will not give you the actual list but will send emails on your behalf and charge by the size of your target group and demographic filters.

Often this is done using a massive list that is then segmented according to your marketing and demographic needs.

The CAN-SPAM act governing email marketing does not restrict you from sending unsolicited emails, buying lists, etc.

It more focuses on ensuring the content of your marketing campaign is honest and accurate.
You clearly identify yourself.
You have clear contact information including a physical mailing address.
You offer recipients the option to unsubscribe from future mailings.

https://www.ftc.gov/tips-advice/busi...guide-business



Edit:
In terms of your situation and using/renting a brokered list it is much better to send that traffic to a high converting squeeze page and convert the traffic to your own prospects.

You don't know how targeted or responsive the traffic is so sending it directly to an offer will lose much of the traffic that does not convert and buy. By getting an opt-in you start building a prospect list you can pre-sell and remarket to.

Thank you for the info, very useful and detailed, I appreciate it. live and learn.

regarding the squeeze page, sure, I am aware of how important getting your own leads is. But here's my problem: I did have a squeeze page, converted at about 17% (not ideal, not the worst either) and ended up costing me something like $1,1 for every email captured.

My product is $33 after taxes. Usually, a normal conversion % for email marketing is around 1,5-2% (please correct me if I'm wrong). So I would have ended up selling 1 unit (let's be moderate) to each 100 subscribers. Which means I either have to have an amazing backend or another 1-2 products to be pitched to the same list, just to break even.

The numbers just weren't there for me in this case, although I'm sure there's things I could have done and did not for lack of knowledge.

any input welcomed.

thank you, again!

But Ionut,

If you're going to spend money in buying an email list with people that never shown any interest in signing up on your website and that probably are not even interested in buying what you have for sale, why don't you simply use that money in PPC, FB Ads or banner ads and try to find real people that are currently looking for the product you're selling?

An email list works because the people you have there visited your website and signed up to get more information or products from you. If you're emailing people that don't even know your website your success rate won't be that great.

Just my opinion, but keep it as simple and as logic as possible, and good luck.

I don't think you should buy an email list as these subscribers did not get on that list to hear from you, and may wonder who is this new person emailing them.

Also, here's a seemingly obvious question you should ask:

"If that list is responsive or has any potential to make sales from, why is it being sold instead of utilized by the current owners?"

Regards,
Daniel

Excellent answers so far. I agree completely.

Forget the idea of buying a list.

Buy advertising or build your own list.

Good luck.

Thank you guys, great input, really.

Here's the thing: I gave an acne-fighting product, an ebook. The list I thought about buying/renting are all people who signed up for acne newsletters or bought acne products online.

So do you still believe that such a list for such a product, sending them to the sales page, would not convert, at least at 1%?


Thanks!

I do not like to buy any email list from any other company. because most of the email address from that list will be old, that means the user do not use these email address any more. They changed this address already. Thanks

You might want to change the product or niche that you're selling in. In what niche are you selling in? What's the site of your product? We could probably help you with suggestions that will make it sell.

As long as the users on the list gave permission to receive 3rd party messages, then you are fine..

I've been monetizing purchased data for 16+ years. However, because that's what I do as a business, it's much different than your situation. I heavily monetize using free offers that have mass appeal, yet still pay well. Which is so much easier than what you want to do.

Your starting with a single product that you want to sell and need a list that is going to work with it. That's going to be be far more difficult and why most people believe you should ever buy lists. Which in your case, it's very likely to be true. Your probably better off using the money to develop an opt-in list.

Your numbers actually look fairly decent to me, the issue is that you're focussing too closely on the front-end game (selling an ebook) rather than crafting a sequence of sales. Could you sell your guide for less and consider working with a drop-shipper to sell a particular acne prevention product perhaps (for example)? That's how I would be looking at this.

Its not the right way, you should build a website first and then working for traffic. Then you will collect legal subscriber, that was really increase your sell.

Thank you all, I understand your points. Bottom line, not the best idea and better traffic sources out there.

Cool!

I dont know if i agree with email lists. or perhaps i dont understand them fully. I think building one off of your own site and efforts is okay as long as your not spamming. But buying a email list? I dont know if i could get behind that.

Data is money, that is why email list is very important to any online marketer.

You may use social networking add like facebook premium advertise. It will grow your business. Cos, more than people use facebook regular and it will perfect place

Nice conversation guys. Some really useful information on a good topic. Thanks to all of you for posting. I lean toward the side that says you need to send that traffic to a squeeze page and sort out the ones that are interested in your product. That way you eliminate the problem some commentators bring up about the people on the list not knowing you.