If you have read this blog for any length of time you will notice one trend that stands out above many others; stay in touch with past customers or clients. One of the best ways to do that is through email marketing and list building.
But how do you build a list?
Well, before I get into ways for you to develop your email list, I am going to give you a few tips on what not to do.
- Don’t buy your email list no matter what price someone offers you.
- Don’t use someone else’s list.
- Don’t just add people to your list without them knowing about it.
- Just because someone gave you their email, doesn’t mean they want you to blast them with offers. In other words, let them know they will be getting information in exchange for their email.
- Don’t use in-house software to manage your list. There are too many services online (many are free) that will perform the task better.
So, how do you build your email list?
- Include an opt-in form on the sidebar of your website. That way it is on every page your visitors see.
- Collect cards at trade shows. Again, make sure you let people know you will be following up with them.
- Offer specials or promotions that only the “exclusive email only” subscribers will get.
- Ask everyone, everywhere that you talk to about your business for their email address.
- Send a mailer to your past clients or customers directing them to a special page on your site of register for a prize or drawing. Make sure they know that by entering, you will also send them great offers via email. Now you can cut your direct mail costs by doing email blasts.
- Make sure all of your employees are asking for email addresses too.
- Offer a discount for client/customer emails.
- Host your own “How-To” or “DIY” event and ask for email addresses from the attendees. Also ask them to send you before/after pics to promote on your website. This will create stickiness and give people a reason to come back to your site many times.
- If you don’t already have it, change all your forms to include the email address from your clients or customers.
- Ask. You don’t get 100% of the emails you don’t ask for.