Building Your Email List 101

Posted by zoeyjordan on May 11th, 2008 filed in List Building

You can use a variety of methods to collect email addresses and build a subscriber list. Why would you want to have the email addresses of your clients? Did you really just ask that question?

You want your current customers to remain engaged with your company and services or product. Using an email blast is one of the most cost effective and simple ways for you to let customers know about changes in service, additional products, discounts for loyal customers — think of it as a way to maintain your current clients, build more, and increase your revenue.

And don’t forget - you’ve got competition. It doesn’t matter what product or service you offer, there are other companies out there that are vying for your customers. Make sure that your brand remains in top-of-mind awareness with your customers so you don’t lose sales to someone else.

On your website, you can easily:

• Create a visitor sign-up box (often referred to as an opt-in)
• Design a “Send Page to Friend” link
• Offer a feature that allows your subscribers to forward your email and add a      personal note to their friends

Make a habit of collecting emails to add to your list. Just remember that you are building a permission-based list, which means a person must give their permission before being added. Here are some tips for growing your list in the 3-D marketplace.

• Have a sign-up sheet available at your place of business
• Train employees to collect addresses and permission at every point of contact
• Collect addresses at tradeshows and events
• Collect business cards of people who request information

Of course you’ll want some relevant, useful information to offer your list. Original and relevant content that your customers will appreciate. You can’t hammer them soley with “buy” emails or you’ll have them unsubscribing from your list, and your company, faster than you ever imagined. Email them on a regular basis with relevant news about your industry, new products, invitations to events and sales. You want regular contact with these folks, but you don’t want to fill up their email box too frequently or you’ll be thought of as an annoying spammer.

A well executed email marketing campaign can improve customer loyalty, generate more sales, and even motivate your prospects to become buyers.