How to Build an Email List – 7 Tips to Grow Your Online Network
You’ve built a great website for your business and are consistently updating it with fresh, relevant content to keep your online audience engaged. Now it’s time to turn that traffic into a network of new and repeat clients.
An email list is an effective way to create a personal connection with your client base, reaching them right in their inbox. The more ways you have for users to subscribe to your email list, the stronger your list will be.
When building an email list, it is important to keep your focus on the client and offer helpful and valuable content. With strategic nurture campaigns and targeted drip campaigns, you can grow your online network and increase your sales in no time.
7 Tips on How To Build an Email List
Here are 7 strategic ways to build your email list and client network.
1. Keep it simple with an opt-in.
The first, and simplest, way to build an email list is with a standard opt-in form on your website. Opt-in forms allow visitors to submit their email address, often with the understanding that updated information on your services, products or possibly discounts will follow. It’s not flashy, but it gets the job done.
2. Use the element of surprise.
Pop-ups or slide-ins are popular for a reason – they work. Consider using timed pop-ups that are triggered when a visitor spends a certain amount of time on a page.
Behavior-based pop-ups are also great options, like an exit-intent pop-up that appears when the user tries to leave a page, or scroll pop-ups when the user scrolls a certain percentage down the page.
3. Offer your customers exclusivity.
One of the best ways to build an email list is through lead magnets, often presented in a pop-up. A lead magnet can be a number of things, ranging from ebooks to discount codes to PDF guides.
Lead magnets present users with an opportunity to enter their email address in exchange for limited resources that they are likely to value.The content must be available to email subscribers only, and cannot be found anywhere else on your website. All they need to do is sign up for your email list, and the exclusive content is theirs.
4. Stay active on social media.
Use your social media profiles to promote your lead magnets. Promote your free resource to your followers, and encourage them to click through to enter their email addresses. Be sure to make the post shareable to encourage users to repost on their own network.
5. Update your email signature.
Think of how many emails you send a day. Are all of those email recipients on your subscriber list? Probably not. Turn contacts you already communicate with into email subscribers by simply updating your email signature to include an opt-in link.
6. Include opt-ins during checkouts.
If your website includes an online store, your checkout process probably requires an email address for order confirmations. Be sure to include an option for customers to subscribe to your email list while completing their purchase.
They are already invested enough to purchase your product; now give them an opportunity to learn about product updates or sales through your email list.
7. Don’t limit your connections to online only.
Remember the days of in-person networking? Connections can be made at business lunches, seminars, networking events, or even your kid’s soccer game. Keep business cards and your elevator pitch handy, and exchange contact information with potential customers.
Use Your Email List to Stay in Touch.
If potential clients are engaging with you, they are interested in what you have to offer. Use your email list to connect with them while offering helpful and valuable content, and turn new subscribers into loyal customers.
Have more questions about building an email list or about your digital marketing options? We offer a variety of email marketing plans no matter where you are in the process.