After consulting my top contacts in the world of Internet security, spam filtering and network spam filtering appliances I can say without a doubt that spam filters are set at their highest level we have seen in a long time. I cannot reveal my sources, but they are top notch, this comes from the big firms.

I have lost allot of sales and subscribers that are not getting my emails and my open rate has suddenly fallen below 10%. It is not AWeber’s fault, it is my URLs and commercial slanted content.

My emails have been very commercial lately, because I am now in full launch of my Google Friend Connect Tactics members site and Jack Humphrey just JVed with me on this launch.

I have the best product and by far the highest value in any social marketing suite. So of course I want to shout it from the rooftops. The problem is no one is hearing me. Luckily I have some big affiliates or I would be pulling my hair out.

The best way that you can try to recover from this if you are experiencing the same is to ask anyone your can to check the spam folder and mark you emails as not spam.

Also whitelisting your email is still very effective especially in Gmail.

Ride it out, the worm will turn. What you don’t want to do is over email out of desperation.

Today I am sending a text only, no link email directing my readers to this blog. I will post back in the comments how it worked out. Hang in there, we have been here before, the filtering will come down. Try sending text articles without outgoing links and see how that works for you.

This double opt in article came to be written because of a number of people whining about double opt in and AWeber. It was written very quickly and with a little heat, most of which I have removed.

AWeber delivers 97% of the email they send to the inbox. Most others are at 80%. 20% more delivery = 20% more profits. Do the math.

Next AWeber is an autoresponder not just a list manager. The ability to set up preset marketing delivered at the rate you choose is priceless. Search “autoresponder tips” if you do not understand this.

Double opt in prevents spam complaints. Spam complaints are the result of a recipient clicking the “this is spam button” and will get you blocked faster than anything else. A visitor cannot misspell their email address and send someone else your emails with double opt in.

Double opt in also saves your email reputation because you are not bouncing emails to bad addresses. Those same misspelled emails that get the spam button clicked can bounce when the recipient does not exist. ISPs keep track of bounced emails and the server it is sent from. The more bounces, the lower your email reputation score.

The very first time someone clicks the “this is spam” button on an email you sent without double opt in can get you banned by the receiving ISP. Your host may delete your domain and you are going to definitely get listed on RBLs (real time blacklists).

Sure you can triple your opt in rate by not using double opt in, but all it takes is a five or six spam complaints and you are history! NO site, NO domain, GONE. Forever.

The bottom line here is still that any email service that uses single opt in is just not going to have high delivery rates especially to Yahoo, AOL and Microsoft and that is probably 90% of the email inboxes these days.

Now let’s consider this: If they won’t confirm their address will they open your emails that you send in the future?

Will these readers that wouldn’t double opt in click thru to your site from emails?

Will these same people enter their credit card in your forms when they wouldn’t even double opt in?

Now let’s talk about increasing your email delivery and double opt in rate

When someone signs up via a AWeber form you have a hidden field named “redirect”

Here you can enter a URL on your site that a lead is sent to rather than a AWeber page.

Here you need to have an irresistible incentive to get the lead to open your email and click the link.

Stuart, I am sure your content rocks but don’t be insulted here, content just ain’t goona do it.

Here is the page I use on my site: email delivery ebook and the four chapter incentive.

Next to stay out of the spam folder you need to get you subscriber to whitelist you.

Email whitelist generator will generate these instructions for you.

Finally when your lead clicks the AWeber confirmation link there is one more page that you can send your new subscriber to.

This page is configurable in the AWeber console.

Don’t just send them to some lame thank you page, surprise them with an unannounced bonus or at least send them to some good content that is new and worthwhile.

If your sales letter has a good conversion rate and content in addition to the sales process, send them there on the click thru confirmation. But whatever you do the whole process should brand you as an authority on your subject.

Hope this helps,

Chris Lang