Haven't we all, including veterans. But when mailing list you think about it its like asking someone you just met for money. What do you think they will think about you, would you do it. First treat your opt in emails like people not R.O.I. People hate to be sold mailing list to and you look like a sales man if they don't know you. Give them a look in to life in the beginning of your opt in email campaigns.
Around 80% personal branding and then 20% business with personal branding first. Other wise you send mixed messages. The 2 kinds of opt in emails Cold traffic (They see you as a stranger.) Endorsed traffic (Someone referred them, but this if mailing list your first official introduction). No matter how good your opt in email campaigns and how big you can make your targeted mailing lists the problem remains.
Asking someone to do business with you the very first time you meet has a very small chance of success - that's why most online businesses mailing list have the abysmal close rate of 1%. How to do you eliminate risk? Build the connection now it's so much easier to start to talk business. Picture this: Pretend that you're a visitor to an page where you can get a free-report in exchange for a few opt in emails.