The money is certainly in the list. The email marketing list is the most important thing that you should be concerned about when it comes to generating sales. Consumers sign up to email lists because they are interested in your product / service, they want to know about special deals and they want to be contacted. Therefore there is no wonder that email subscribers are one of the highest spenders online.
The problem is, you can’t just buy email subscribers or find them on a list. US, EU and UK laws require that you must first gain the receiver’s permission to contact them via email before you send them a marketing message. Therefore, you have to actively ask people to join your list.
So how can you achieve this? Here are five ways to acquire new email subscribers.
1. Free Downloadable Content
This is the simplest. You create a document, tool or something else of value to your target audience that they can download. The catch is, they have to sign up to your mailing list before they receive their copy of the download.
This is rather easy to do. There are numerous WordPress and Joomla plugins available online that allow you to generate email subscribers this way. Many of them are free as well if you don’t mind manually importing the subscribers into your email marketing provider. If you want it done automatically, then you should consider buying a premium plugin.
If you don’t have a WordPress or Joomla website, there are developers who can create the code for you – although this can be expensive.
2. Popup
Another popular method is to generate email subscribers via a website popup. These are fairly flexible with the popup appearing almost at any action you can imagine, including:
- When a visitor has arrived at your site.
- When a visitor is leaving your site.
- When a visitor reaches the end of a page.
- When a visitor clicks on a certain product / page.
These can be fairly successful and can quickly grow your email marketing list.
3. Email Subscribers Love Offers
The next tactic is to offer email subscribers a special deal if they sign up to your email marketing list. This can be anything from a £5 voucher to 10% off their first purchase. The great aspect of this tactic is that customers sign up to mailing lists because they want to know about special offers, therefore if they see a way to save money, they’ll take the opportunity.
This offer can be included on a unique signup page or as part of the popup, either way, ensure that it is clear and is written as a defined call to action.
4. Through A Purchase
It is easier and cheaper to sell to existing customers than it is to sell to new customers. This is why when people are making a purchase off your website you need to start looking at signing them up to your email marketing list as well. Be sure that all potential email subscribers are given the option to opt-out of the email marketing list, to comply with laws.
5. Networking
Do you go to a lot of network meetings? Are you collecting business cards? Then get those people to sign up to your email marketing list. This is by far one of the most effective ways to acquire new email subscribers because your personality and passion can really drive the need to be on your list. They’ll also remember you and hopefully be interested in what you have to offer.
At the same time, go to trade fairs and sign up people there. It isn’t always about the quick sales, sign them up to your email marketing list and generate a significant, long term revenue.
You might consider taking a few of your downloadable documents and asking for contact details in return for a copy.
6. Contests
Finally, consider running a contest on your website / social media. Part of the rules of the contest should be to sign up to your mailing list. This gamification strategy is perfect for consumer businesses as the average person loves the thrill of a competition and the chance to win something. Your prize doesn’t have to be massively expensive either – but the larger the prize, the greater the number of participants.
Go And Find New Email Subscribers
Your email marketing list is one of the best online sellers for your business. Yet you need email subscribers for your email marketing to be effective. By using the above techniques you can generate significant interest in your products and by using our three step online sales process, you can generate significant income that can lead to business growth.
How do you gain email subscribers? Is your email marketing list healthy?
Let us know in the comments.