How to build an email list for your business: 13+ simple ways to boost subscribers

Emails are a powerful part of a comprehensive marketing strategy, and you should be using them

Whether you sell products, services, or both, emails are essential to your digital marketing strategy. Businesses of all sizes are finding success when they invest time building their email list.

What’s an email list?

Your email list is simply all the email addresses you have collected from customers, prospects, and anyone else who has opted in to receive email communications from your business.

Perhaps you’re unsure how to build an email list or don’t have the time to do it. Or maybe you already have the beginnings of a list, but you’re not sure what type of emails your customers will want to receive.

Keep reading as we explore the benefits of building an email list for your business and teach you how to do it.

Why should I build an email list for my business?

It’s simple to get started

With email marketing, you control the message and the timing — and your content is delivered straight into your potential customer’s inbox! Emails are great for seasonal events, sales, and special promotions.

With so many excellent email automation tools, such as MailChimp, Campaign Monitor, and Constant Contact, you can be up and running in no time. Most tools have intuitive templates you can customize to your brand and heart’s content.

Conversion rates are higher

Instead of getting lost in the sea of social media status updates, photos, and GIFs, emails can help you stand out. The open rate (the number of people who click to open) for people who subscribe to your email list is generally around 20–30%, meaning your message is 5x more likely to be seen through email than Facebook organically. [1]

You’ll drive traffic to your website

Maybe you have a flash sale happening this weekend only, or you’ve just published a great blog post that will reinforce your expertise and help position you as a thought leader. Sharing the news via email is a great way to drive traffic directly to the right page on your website.

You can target specific audiences

By segmenting your email list (breaking your email list down into smaller lists), you can target specific audiences and make your customers feel special by sending highly personalized emails. Emails with personalized subject lines are 26% more likely to be opened, and marketers have found a 760% increase in email revenue from segmented campaigns. [2]

You can share your message more times

The famous ‘Marketing Rule of 7’ states that people need to hear about a product or service seven times before they make a purchase. Why? Customers may not always be fully engaged each time or ready to make a decision. Adding email to your marketing strategy puts your company in front of your potential customers more often, which can only help boost sales.

You can track and improve engagement

Email automation software offers many ways to track and improve customer engagement, with access to metrics like delivery rates, open rates, click-to-deliver rates, and subscriber retention rates. With these vital statistics, you’ll learn how to deliver content that makes customers click!

How to start building your email list

#1: Utilize lead magnets

Offer valuable resources like case studies, eBooks, or exclusive content in exchange for email sign-ups. These lead magnets provide immediate value, enticing visitors to subscribe.

#2: Collaborate with other companies

Partner with complementary brands to co-host webinars, giveaways, or joint promotions. This cross-promotion can help you tap into a new audience, increasing your subscriber base.

#3: Ask at the point of purchase

When customers check out, have a notepad or tablet available for them to share their email addresses. You could also customize your credit card system with a field where they can sign up for your email list during checkout. Add the gathered addresses to your list regularly, and send out a welcome email with a coupon code or value-added content to entice them to return.

#4: Opt-in forms on your website

Include a place to sign up on your website’s header or footer — that way, it’s present on every page of your website. You could also include one at the bottom of every blog post. Going one step further, you could employ a pop-up opt-in form that appears as visitors are browsing your website.

#5: Promote via social media

Encourage your followers to subscribe through social media posts, driving people to your website. You can also add a sign-up button to your Facebook page.

#6: Special giveaways

In-store promotions are a great way to collect email addresses. Offer a discount code or the chance to win a gift card when customers drop their business card in a bowl.

#7: Work the WiFi

If you offer free wifi, configure your system to take customers to your website when they first log in, with a prompt to sign up for emails.

#8: Sign-up sheets

Have sign-up sheets handy everywhere: at trade shows, community events, or in-store next to some free samples.

#9: Join the club

Incentivize sign-up by offering special discounts and promotions to those who join your ‘email club.’ Think about sharing special offers that subscribers can enjoy in their birthday month.

#10: Share your knowledge

The content you create to establish yourself as an authority in your industry can also help to build your email list. Offer e-books or bonus content as a free download on your website in exchange for an email address.

#11: Host an event

Stage a talk, seminar, or meetup, and ask people to RSVP with their email addresses.

#12: Leverage ‘email only’ promotions

Reward loyal subscribers with special promotions or discounts only available to those on your email list.

#13: Encourage forwarding

Ensure all your emails contain a ‘forward to a friend’ link so subscribers can share your content easily with everyone they think will find it interesting.

Bonus tips for growing your email list

Consistent Content: Regularly provide valuable content to your subscribers to maintain their interest and reduce unsubscribe rates.
Referral Programs: Create a referral program where existing subscribers can benefit from referring friends to join your list.

By incorporating these strategies, you can ensure that your email list remains healthy and continues to grow over time.

Best Tools for Building an Email List

When it comes to building an email list, selecting the right tools can significantly impact your ability to attract and retain subscriber interest. Here are some top-notch tools to consider:

Comprehensive email campaign platforms:

Mailchimp
- Ideal for: Creating and managing marketing campaigns that focus on Email and landing page conversions.
- Features:
  - Ready-to-use Email templates.
  - Tools for scheduling and automating Emails.
  - Built-in analytics to measure campaign performance.

Constant Contact
- Ideal for: General email management and lead generation.
- Features:
  - Drag-and-drop functionality for customizing email templates.
  - Automated welcome and abandoned cart emails.
  - Detailed email tracking for performance insights.

Segmentation and automation tools:

Get Response
- Ideal for: Segmentation based on user behavior.
- Features:
  - Contact management and list segmentation.
  - Automation and scheduling options.
  - Industry-specific email templates.
  - Detailed reporting and analytics.

Lead capture solutions:

Optimonk
- Ideal for: Growing email lists, messenger, and SMS signups.
- Features:
  - Compelling CTA and email template options.
  - Subscriber recognition for personalized experiences.
  - A/B testing for optimization.
  - Mobile optimization for on-the-go users.

When choosing a tool for building your email list, remember to consider the following:

Ease of use: Look for user-friendly interfaces and drag-and-drop functionality.
Automation capabilities: The ability to automate welcome emails, cart abandonment emails, and targeted campaigns can save time and improve engagement.
Customization: Ensure the tool offers a variety of customizable templates and segmentation options.
Analytics: Access to detailed reporting can help you fine-tune your strategy and measure success.

By carefully selecting the right tools, you can effectively grow your email contact list and foster stronger connections with your audience.

Does your business need a boost in your digital marketing efforts?

At Different Perspective, we have over 20 years of experience working with businesses in their growth strategies. We specialize in email marketing and other digital marketing tactics to help you build your customer base and boost revenue. Ready to get started? Contact us today.

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