The whole point of an email marketing strategy is to connect with customers through email right? So we obviously need a list of subscribers in order to have a successful email campaign. We have covered how NOT to go about sourcing a mailing list in a previous post, so this one will focus on effective and ethical ways to grow your email list.
READY? Let’s get started then.
- Strategically placed Opt-in Forms: the opt-in form is the key tool for recruiting subscribers to your mailing list. It could take various shapes or styles, but the end game is the same –to get your website visitor to enter their email in that rectangular box. You should place opt-in forms in multiple locations throughout your site, to increase the chances of a visitor noticing it and subscribing. Some spots to consider are the header, navigation menu, sidebar, footer, or as pop-ups on the webpage. Don’t forget to keep your form brief and use double opt-in methods to ensure you’re building a healthy list.
- Use Lead Magnets: these are incentives that you offer to your site visitors in exchange for them giving out their information. They should offer relevant content that match up to, or surpass the value you gain from the subscriber. Examples of such magnets are contests which require email registration, discounts and deals for subscribers, or creating gated content such as e-books, guides, webinars, etc. which can only be accessed by signing up with an email.
- Dedicated Landing Pages: so you’ve succeeded in creating a stellar lead generation magnet. Take it a step further by linking it to a unique landing page which will encourage your potential subscriber to follow through. This page should be devoid of any feature that could distract the target from your end goal. Rather, you should include a compelling message with a clear call to action. It is also a good idea to include testimonials or reviews from other customers to boost your credibility.
- Create a Blog: blogging is one of the most important aspects of content marketing, which has many benefits. The most obvious is that it gives you an avenue to share valuable information with people who need it. Then there’s the technical side involving keywords and optimization to increase your rankings with search engines such as Google. This gives you credibility in the eyes of subscribers who are parting with valuable information. Make sure to insert relevant call to actions within the posts and links to your landing page.
- The Power of Social Media: this is a crucial tool to spreading the reach of your business. Consider it a vehicle which ferries customers to your desired destination. You can promote lead generation efforts on social media, with links to your landing page. Make use of tools like the Facebook sign up form or pinned tweets on Twitter to reach a wider audience who may not otherwise make it to your site.
- Leverage Your Existing Subscribers: do not underestimate the power of your existing network, no matter how small it may seem. Assuming that you’re already creating amazing content and sending newsletters to members of your current list, encourage them to share your emails with their network by including sharing buttons in the newsletters and a subscribe link. People are more likely to trust referrals from a friend or acquaintance than from a stranger.
- Place an Ad: need a little help with widening your reach and finding the right audience? Make use of social media marketing e.g. Instagram and Facebook Ads, or Search Engine Marketing like Google AdWords. You may need to brush up on your technical know-how if you intend to do this on your own. Otherwise, just get an expert to do this for you to save costs and effort in the long run. An effectively managed ad campaign is one of the quickest ways to see immediate results.
- Partner Up: there is a reason for that saying, “two heads are better than one”. While you may still be able to recruit a large quantity of subscribers through solo effort, it would probably be quicker and less demanding to collaborate with another party. This could be done through writing guest blog posts for larger sites with your target audience, with links to your landing page included in your author bio. Another option is to host a joint marketing offer and split the content creation work and leads generated from the venture with your partner(s).
- Use QR Codes: you have hardcopy marketing material like flyers, cards or even invoices? Move one step ahead of the competition by incorporating QR codes on those items. These can be generated easily with apps or software and printed. Your customers can in turn scan the code to access information about your business, instead of typing URLs. This could take them straight to a landing page where they can enter their emails to proceed.
- Offline Subscription: this is an effective method of growing a list, especially if you have a brick and mortar store for your business, or frequently attend events like trade shows, seminars, conferences, etc. to showcase your products or services. This is an opportunity for face-to-face interaction with potential customers, where you have the power of persuasion in making them part with information.
These are great ways to grow email marketing lists. This is not some magical formula that will triple your numbers overnight, but consistent practice of these tips will show improved results over time. Have you subscribed to Cloudy yet? Get started today to gain access to more useful posts like this and a cheap solution for your email marketing campaigns.
