By Scott F. Geld © 2005

Almost a complete opposite to direct marketing, welcome marketing (or opt-in as it is often called) is where people have actually asked to be part of your marketing campaign. This is a relatively new, but highly effective marketing method.

People actually come to you; they tell you that they want to receive information by newsletter, email or possibly through phone calls. Think about it, how much time and money do you waste by sending information to people who are simply not interested?

With opt-in marketing or consensual marketing, you know that you are marketing to people who are interested in your product or the topic of your product. This makes your effort at marketing more worth it.

Another great benefit is that your customers can actually ask you for the information that they want to receive. A lot of marketing material is unnecessary or unwanted. By being directly linked to your customers you can make sure that you tell them exactly what they want to hear.

This direct link is a great way to make your customer feel wanted and important. There is nothing worse than receiving information that is totally irrelevant; this does nothing to build the reputation of your company. Target people and build the relationships you have if you want to see marketing success.

Opt-in marketing works exceptionally well with internet marketing. You can have potential customers sign up for emails, newsletters and more that will explain your product to them.

But Opt-in marketing can also work well off-line. You can invite people to opt-in to receiving your newsletter or your catalog by conventional mail. You can get them to agree to receiving phone calls from you every one, two or three months. You can invite them to receive faxes from you with your latest offers.