As you build your opt in email marketing list via article marketing and pay-per-click, you may want to consider some other ways to get more people to your site so that they can “opt in” for your free newsletter, report or e-book. 

All of these cost you nothing but your time: 

Start a blog. Sprinkle your keywords through your posts - not too many that your posts read awkwardly, however. Give your readers good information and aim to post at minimum twice a week. Three times a week is better, five days a week is best. Allow comments and start dialogs with your readers. Be sure the link to your website is prominent. Even better, also offer your free report/newsletter on your blog. Your opt in email list will grow. 

Social networking online is another terrific way to get people interested in your offerings. Sign up for a Facebook, LinkedIn, or MySpace account. But if you do nothing else remember this, these sites are for socializing. Do not sell. I repeat: Do. Not. Sell. Be a friend. Offer advice. In fact, you could give away a ton of free advice. Such largesse will come back to you many times over. Give of yourself. Give a ton of yourself. You’ll get back tons in return. 

Visit the online forums that your customers frequent. Do you sell comic book storage units? Visit comic fan forums. 

Once there, remember, Do. Not. Sell. Post thoughtful and helpful posts. Offer information. Advice. Tell the time you had a challenge and overcame it. Most forums allow you to post a link to your website in your signature line. As you gain a reputation as trustworthy, forum members will start to click on your website’s link. Many of them easily could end up signing up for your free report. 

Finally, don’t forget your past customers. As you sell, you’ll undoubtedly learn of your customers’ e-mail addresses. Be sure to add them to your email list. 

Once again, I want to emphasize your need to allow your email marketing list members to “opt out” of your missives. Be sure you give the recipients of your email marketing campaign a simple way to let you know they no longer wish to receive your emails.