S
StaceyRicci
Guest
According to HubSpot, your email list degrades approximately 22.5% each year, so it’s a good idea to implement a regularly scheduled data cleansing program. Building and maintaining a healthy email list takes time and effort, but it should still take top priority.
If you're running some online business, a brick and mortar shop, or a mix of the two, you need a something that will keep you in touch with your prospects, customers and fans. As consumers become increasingly dependent on the Internet in their day to day lives, the feasibility of email as a communications tool will hold steady. Email as a marketing channel should not be underappreciated.
Trends and methods in online marketing constantly evolve, so it all boils down to a relevant contact list that you have total control over. If you haven’t already started building your email list, now it's a perfect time for that.
1. OPTIMIZE YOUR SIGNUP FORMS AND POPUP BOXES
Email signup forms should be optimized on every page of your website. They can also be integrated with certain social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Make sure they’re easy to find and visually engaging.
Don’t be shy when it comes to signup forms – put them everywhere! A neat hack is to ask your employees to include a link in their email signature that lets users subscribe there and then.
2. BUILD YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE
Find out where your potential clients and target audience are hanging out. Build your social media presence by posting relevant content which the audience might like and comment on.
Follow other accounts that are relevant to your industry and don’t hesitate to post comments and share relevant posts. That helps a lot to promote your product, because once you have established your social media presence with valuable comments and posts, users are more likely to check out your profile. Don't forget to include a link to your landing page or blog that leads them to sign up and provide the email address.
3. CREATE VALUABLE CONTENT
Create valuable content on a regular basis and post it on your website's blog. You can also build a microsite with landing pages that capture lead data. With this content, you can show users that you are an authority in your specific niche. Let them know you’re offering free industry information and educational materials.
Blogging can help you build an email list. Just ensure that your signup form is easily visible on every blog post you create. Through this, you can also determine which post is performing the best, so you can recycle and repurpose the same content to promote exponential list growth.
4. OFFER FREEBIES AND INCENTIVES
Give users something in exchange for their email address and other contact details. Whatever incentive you decide on, make sure it’s something your target audience really wants.
Offer users something they can't resist. This can be in the form of a downloadable eBook with relevant content, a useful tool, a template, access to a free webinar, exclusive discounts, or incentives via your loyalty program.
5. JOIN TRADE FAIRS AND EVENTS
Offline events such as trade fairs and expos are great methods to reach your target audience.
These trade shows are usually frequented by highly-focused individuals that are likely to make up your target market. Make your booth enticing, and incentivize your sign-up booth.
Joining offline events is almost never free. You need to shell out a certain amount, depending on what kind of event it is or who is hosting, just for the right to set up a booth. Not to mention the resources needed to get the right people to run your booth and encourage sign-ups.
Yes, it may cost you a significant amount, but bear in mind that an email list may well be the best investment that you make. It also doesn’t hurt to network with other industry professionals who might just be able to give you a hand in the future.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Now that you're starting to collect email addresses, the fun part begins! Optimize your email sequence with a tone that reflects your unique brand personality and keep posting educational and valuable content to keep your new subscribers engaged.
Remember to import your new contacts in your email marketing software's email list (if the process isn't automated) and don’t forget to send them a welcome email to say thanks and confirm their subscription.
If you're running some online business, a brick and mortar shop, or a mix of the two, you need a something that will keep you in touch with your prospects, customers and fans. As consumers become increasingly dependent on the Internet in their day to day lives, the feasibility of email as a communications tool will hold steady. Email as a marketing channel should not be underappreciated.
Trends and methods in online marketing constantly evolve, so it all boils down to a relevant contact list that you have total control over. If you haven’t already started building your email list, now it's a perfect time for that.
1. OPTIMIZE YOUR SIGNUP FORMS AND POPUP BOXES
Email signup forms should be optimized on every page of your website. They can also be integrated with certain social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Make sure they’re easy to find and visually engaging.
Don’t be shy when it comes to signup forms – put them everywhere! A neat hack is to ask your employees to include a link in their email signature that lets users subscribe there and then.
2. BUILD YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE
Find out where your potential clients and target audience are hanging out. Build your social media presence by posting relevant content which the audience might like and comment on.
Follow other accounts that are relevant to your industry and don’t hesitate to post comments and share relevant posts. That helps a lot to promote your product, because once you have established your social media presence with valuable comments and posts, users are more likely to check out your profile. Don't forget to include a link to your landing page or blog that leads them to sign up and provide the email address.
3. CREATE VALUABLE CONTENT
Create valuable content on a regular basis and post it on your website's blog. You can also build a microsite with landing pages that capture lead data. With this content, you can show users that you are an authority in your specific niche. Let them know you’re offering free industry information and educational materials.
Blogging can help you build an email list. Just ensure that your signup form is easily visible on every blog post you create. Through this, you can also determine which post is performing the best, so you can recycle and repurpose the same content to promote exponential list growth.
4. OFFER FREEBIES AND INCENTIVES
Give users something in exchange for their email address and other contact details. Whatever incentive you decide on, make sure it’s something your target audience really wants.
Offer users something they can't resist. This can be in the form of a downloadable eBook with relevant content, a useful tool, a template, access to a free webinar, exclusive discounts, or incentives via your loyalty program.
5. JOIN TRADE FAIRS AND EVENTS
Offline events such as trade fairs and expos are great methods to reach your target audience.
These trade shows are usually frequented by highly-focused individuals that are likely to make up your target market. Make your booth enticing, and incentivize your sign-up booth.
Joining offline events is almost never free. You need to shell out a certain amount, depending on what kind of event it is or who is hosting, just for the right to set up a booth. Not to mention the resources needed to get the right people to run your booth and encourage sign-ups.
Yes, it may cost you a significant amount, but bear in mind that an email list may well be the best investment that you make. It also doesn’t hurt to network with other industry professionals who might just be able to give you a hand in the future.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Now that you're starting to collect email addresses, the fun part begins! Optimize your email sequence with a tone that reflects your unique brand personality and keep posting educational and valuable content to keep your new subscribers engaged.
Remember to import your new contacts in your email marketing software's email list (if the process isn't automated) and don’t forget to send them a welcome email to say thanks and confirm their subscription.
