Email list building is the cornerstone of any successful and effective email marketing campaign. Though growing your list organically may seem challenging, with these simple techniques it is easy and simple.
However, depending on your business type, always take a moment to reconsider whether buying or renting a list is in your best interest.
Growing your email subscriber list naturally will not only boost your overall success, but also provide you with loyal customers. The concern, however, with buying or renting a list is that you're no better than those old telemarketers – those annoying phone calls, text messages and Skype blasts that interrupt your day-to-day life.
Fundamentally, the basis for any email marketing campaign is engaged and active subscribers, not those who are annoyed with you.
From these email marketing best practices, we'll help you grow your email list and build a happy and invigorated subscriber base.
Simplify Opt-Ins
One of the "golden rules" of email marketing campaigns is to have a constant, engaged and active subscriber list.
So, how do you get this seemingly untouchable list?
By making opt-ins for your email blast easy and simple.
If you haven't already, make the email sign-up available on your website. To take it a step further, embed a widget on every website page. Typically, email sign-up widgets are in the upper right-hand corner, next to the internal search tool. A widget or another tool that is permanent and replicates on every page of your website ensures that you're giving every opportunity to new subscribers to sign up.
For these online sign-up forms, make sure that they are easy and simple. Making your new subscribers jump through hoops will make them run away. And, fast.
These opt-in or sign-up forms need to be simple. At first, require a name and an email address. By asking for any additional information, you'll not only make potential subscribers wary about your access to their personal information but also underscores what a pain it is to sign up.
Define the Benefits of Sign-Up
So there you are with a potentially engaged new subscriber.
What are you offering them?
What are you giving them in exchange for spreading your marketing campaign?
Though this tip does seem a bit crass, it is also fundamental for building your email list.
Ask yourself, what do they get for opting in for your email blasts?
- Why would people sign up for your email blast?
- What are you offering to your new subscribers that you aren't already offering other people via different online channels?
- Are you replicating information between online channels? If so, then why have an email marketing campaign?
For example, if you sell products on your website, also include an opt-in form sometime during the shopping or checkout process. Consider enticing newbies with a promotion for signing up. The easiest and most effective way to do this is through offering savings for future purchases.
You'll get consent for sending these new subscribers your email marketing campaign and it also increases the chance for repeat customers. This is the Holy Grail of email marketing campaigns.
Further, no sane person ever passes up a great deal unless it isn't a deal in the first place. Consider what you're able to give before cementing any promotion.
Ensure that "cashing in" your offer is easy and simple. Please don't make any new person jump through hoops to save 10% on their next purchase or service.
What other content are you offering beyond what is already available on your website or other online channels? Create an email marketing campaign that has clear benefits for the subscriber, or, otherwise, they will undoubtedly not open your email.
Stay tuned for Part 2 of our series coming soon. You will learn that another fundamental email marketing best practice is to have an easy sharing mechanism.
Watch for more tips on list growing, email marketing, and other online strategies in future blogs.
