25 Ways to grow your email list

1.Transactional emailsMake the most of your transactional emails by adding an email sign up link. In asurvey by Datran Media of 2,000 marketers, 63% said they plan on integratingmarketing messages into transactional emails this year.

3 out of 4 leads won't buy from you within the first 6 months. Email marketingallows you to nurture those prospects until they’re ready. To have a shot at buildingthat relationship, you need to encourage them to opt-in.

So how can you start or grow an email subscriber list? Here are 25 strategies myclients and I have used:

Make a note on business cards of contacts that have chosen to be added to youremail list. Try sending a follow up email to new contacts, mention your newsletteras a way to keep in touch. Have a raffle/contest at your next show. Not only will it drive traffic to your booth,it’s an opportunity to collect email addresses on entering. Let entrants know theywill be added to your newsletter list.

3.Viral MarketingRun a "Forward to a Friend Contest" in your email newsletter. If readers use theForward link, they’re entered to win a prize. .

4.Subject LineTry adding "Pls. Forward" to the end of your newsletter subject line.

5.Email SignatureInclude a "Join Our Email List" link at the bottom of your email signature - andyour staff’s. Try to make the language more compelling!

2.Tradeshows/Networking events

6. Customer SupportHave your customer-support staff request email addresses. Familiarize themwith your newsletter content.

© Anna Yeaman 2008

25 Ways to grow your email list

7. Squeeze PageCreate a web page that "squeezes" contact info out of a visitor. Use a freedownload or more information about your services as a lure.

Have a sign-up box on every page of your web site. Each is a potential landing page.

9. Show listSometimes tradeshow organizers will provide a list of attendees email addresses.Send out a newsletter a few days before the show introducing your company. Oneclient of mine always includes a link to set up an appointment and a download ofher latest Jewelry collection.

10. Competition/ContestOffer a contest to win a voucher or gift certificates for your products or services.Promote your contest in magazines, at tradeshows and on your website. One ofmy clients grew their list by thousands, running a contest in a Women’s Worldmagazine to win a $500 gift voucher for their store.

11. Cash RegisterAsk your customers to provide you with their email address when they go to thecash register. Be sure to set expectations around frequency.

8. Website

12. Sign up slipsLeave sign-up slips around your store, such as in the changing rooms and includethem with purchases.

13. Customer EventsHold events where you push email sign up. A lot of retailers hold in-store partiesaround Christmas. Think of holidays that appeal to your customer base, or justmake one up, “Girls night out”.

© Anna Yeaman 2008

25 Ways to grow your email list

14. Pop-Up/ Pop-overUse a pop-up box or pop-over on your web site. Spiegel have a Java basedpop-over sign up form, GQ have a pop up box on exit. I know, some of us hatepop-up boxes, but they're effective.

The back of your business card is a great place to promote your newsletter. “Stay in touch via our monthly TechTips newsletter”.

16. Cross-promotionTeam up with complementary businesses. Try not to hijack each other’s newsletter,introduce yourself gradually to your partners readers.

Make sure you design your creative to fit in with theirs. Have you noticed howDaily Candy cross promotes, using their own artwork and copywriter via theirdedicated emails? It’s not so jarring and feels less like Spam.

17. Business Associations Contact your association for their membership roster. There are thousands of associations and trade organizations. Many provide their list to members for free. Send colleagues an incentive to sign up for your newsletter.

15. Business Card

18. ArticlesWrite an article like this one; publish it for free in other newsletters and onwebsites. Add the byline, “Want to receive more articles like this? Click here”.

19. Online Sign-up PageSubscribers like to know what they’re getting into. Your sign-up page needs to saleyour newsletter. Include:

· A clear outline of the type of content your newsletter covers· Explain the benefits of receiving your newsletter· Testimonials from current subscribers· A link to your privacy statement· A sample of past issues· Set the right expectations - state your publishing frequency

© Anna Yeaman 2008

25 Ways to grow your email list

20. No.1 Subscriber turn-offLong subscription forms. Keep your subscription process simple, name and e-mailaddress only. If you ask for a postal code tell them why you need it. (To sendinformation about local stores for instance) You can always survey subscribers laterfor additional information.

21. Reprint your contentLet others reprint your newsletter/blog articles. You gather links back to your siteand new readers. Just ask that they add your contact/link details.

22. Direct mail list Chances are you already have a mailing list. Send out a postcard with an incentive to sign up to your email newsletter.

23. Checkbox on all your formsWherever you have a form on your website (and off) add a checkbox or extra entrywhere contacts can sign up for your newsletter. Never force someone to deselect acheckbox, leave them empty by default.

24. Bills, Receipts and invoicesI read recently how a restaurant successfully grew their email list by attachingcards to each bill. One of my clients adds stickers to invoices and store receiptsencouraging sign up.

25. Online videoPromote your newsletter in your online videos. Do this early on; most web videosdo not get viewed all the way through. If posting on YouTube remember to addyour URL to the title.

26. Bonus – Start a blog!A nice side effect of starting the Style Campaign blog is my newsletter subscriptionhas grown dramatically. Blogs increase your site traffic and allow the reader to geta taste of your newsletter content. Make sure you add a newsletter sign up link onyour blog sidebar so it can be accessible at all times.

© Anna Yeaman 2008

25 Ways to grow your email list

27. Bonus – Comment on blogsNo time to start a blog? You can still comment and get involved in discussions onother sites. Often your name will be linked back to your website which can generatenewsletter subscriptions.

Just recently 72 people signed up to my free newsletter, via a single comment I lefton a blog. They all signed up within 48hrs, I’m still receiving new subscribers today.

28. Bonus – Relevant, timely, targeted contentDon’t put all your focus on growing your email list. It’s about quality not quantity.You need to retain the subscribers you do have. Sending straight promotional emailsmonth after month does not cut it anymore.

Put extra effort into making your content useful. Look at magazine articles in yourfield for ideas. Try soliciting reader feedback as much as possible. Feature a Q&A,contests, and photos or ask for reader stories and reviews.

Email is a club, connecting you to your most loyal customers. Don’t mess up byfocusing on short-term sales. You will be rewarded with a high return on yourinvestment and happy, repeat customers.

Have any more ideas on growing an email list? Share them with me! Anna Yeaman - anna@stylecampaign.com

For more email marketing tips and to join in a blog discussion, visit www.stylecampaign.com/blog. Don’t forget tip no.27!

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© Anna Yeaman 2008