This article is going to show you how to build your email list. Even if you are starting at zero, you can absolutely build an email list by following the steps you are about to see.
Why Do I Believe You Should Build Your Email List?
Almost daily, I talk to people who are excited about social media. They like to tell me how many followers they have, what sort of “engagement” they are getting, and how excited they are.
Then, I ask them how social media is converting to sales for them. They usually get a blank look and seem confused. Then, I ask them “How big is your email list?” and they look even more confused.
I like social media, myself. I’ve got over 10,000 twitter followers, a few thousand instagram followers, and about 12,000 facebook followers. I enjoy the engagement, the likes, getting messages, etc… But if you want to build a business, you’ve got to drive sales. Marketers that rely solely on social media and don’t build a list are kind of like a race car driver that has great tires, but no real engine. They aren’t going to win many races! I’m not saying don’t use social media. I am recommending that you use social media to build an email list.
Another common scenario is when I hear from someone that is interested in email marketing. They want to learn more about our service and start using autoresponders. Typically, they say, “but I don’t have a list”. My response is always:
“This service will help you build your email list.”
I hear from people on a regular basis that tell me, “I wish I had started building my list sooner.”. Here’s the good news for everybody. No matter what, now is a great time to build an email list and start driving sales for your business.
Sometimes, I hear from people who aren’t really sure why they actually need a list. Let’s take a look at that.
What if you run a service business?
Maybe you’re a photographer. Perhaps a realtor, a graphic designer, a copywriter, or a publisher. Pet groomer? The reality is: you need a way to stay in front of your potential clients. (We call this “front of mind”). You need to show them that you are an expert. You need to help them understand that they can trust you to do good business. You need to cause your business to stand out from everyone else in your market.
When you build an email list you will be able to serve your audience before you ever sell to them. Building your email list connects you to people who are actually interested in what you do. Even if they don’t need your service right now, keeping your business “front of mind” will help them remember you when the time comes. And, they just might know someone else that can use your services. It’s hard to beat a good referral, right?
What if you run a product based business? This one is almost “too easy”. Build your email list to share new products, run promotions, provide training and information, and more. Once you’ve captured those email addresses, you have a direct line to contact people you know are interested in what you are offering. They may just need a little more time. They may just need to feel they know you better. Email marketing is a great way to make that happen.
Think about how many retail stores you’ve walked in to that invite you to get on their email list for important updates and special offers. Makes sense, doesn’t it?
Do you run an online business? Maybe you’ve created an online course, a digital product, or provide an online service, you can build your email list to offer additional services, help them solve problems, build that interaction, share your latest content, and more. All of this helps you drive new sales and repeat sales.
Hopefully, these scenarios help you understand why I believe it is so important that you build your email list.
Getting Started: Pick an Email Marketing Service Provider
We believe TrafficWave is a great pick for a number of reasons:
- We help you get started with a Free 30 Day Trial.
- Our monthly rate is just $17.95 per month.
- You can build and manage unlimited campaigns. (For example: a prospect campaign and a customer campaign)
- You can track your open rates to know how well your messages are being received.
- You can track your click through rates to know how well your readers are engaging with your message.
- You will get free unlimited online support.
There are a number of companies out there and you should do your research. Thousands of businesses around the globe choose TrafficWave. We’d love to earn your business, too.
Once you’ve opened your account, there will be a little bit of training involved. We provide tutorials designed to help you get started quickly. A training video in our youtube channel is anywhere from 3 to 8 minutes long so you can get moving quickly.
Once you’ve opened your account and set up your autoresponder campaign, it’s time to dig in and build your email list.
Like everyone, when you first get started, your subscribe count is 0. Don’t let that bother you. You will get started by reaching out to past customers and past contacts. This can include anyone you’ve talked to about your business, anyone who has approached you about their business, and anyone you have done business with previously. All those social media followers you have? Invite them to join your list.
Important Note: Don’t Just Start Blindly Adding People To Your List! It will annoy the people you add. It will make you come across as a “spammer” (because that’s what spammers do), and sending spam (unsolicited commercial email) is illegal.
You can invite them to view your capture page so that they can add themselves to your list if they choose do learn more about your offer. What you want to do as you build your email list is to build on the “know, like, and trust” factor. Invite friends and prospects to join your list. Invite social media followers to join your list. Run advertising to build your email list.
Here’s a Tip:
If you’re just getting started with your business, write an email that explains your new business and tell your associates you would like to keep them updated about future events, service, special offers, etc… Give them an idea of what they can expect to receive and the schedule they can expect to receive emails from you. Give them a link to your capture page and an invitation to click and join your list.
Sample Invitation:
Hello, NAME …
I just wanted to reach out to you, personally, as we’ve been interacting over (Social Media / Email) to let you know about my new project.
I am excited to launch my new project where I will be able to (SHOW THEM HOW YOU CAN HELP SOLVE A PROBLEM, PROVIDE A SERVICE, MEET A NEED).
I’d love to stay in touch with you and keep you updated on our progress. If you’d like to learn more, check out my link to join my list so I can keep you updated on any events, special offers, etc.. This will make sure you are the first to know about any insider sales, discounts, opportunities or new offerings.
Don’t worry, I promise not to spam you with promotions, I am way more excited to serve you by: (FILL IN WAYS YOU WILL SERVE THEM) and will only send you things that you’ll love.
Visit my site to join my list, today YOUR LINK HERE
YOUR NAME
If you have an existing business, write an email that lets your customers and prospects know that you’d like to keep them informed about future events, service, special offers, etc… Give them an idea of what they can expect to receive and the schedule they can expect to receive emails from you. Give them a link to your capture page and an invitation to click and join your list.
Sample Invitation:
Hello, NAME …
We just wanted to reach out to you and thank you for your business. We are setting up an email newsletter to keep our customers updated on any upcoming events, special events, offers, etc..
We would like to invite you to join our list. This will make sure you are the first to know about any insider sales, discounts, opportunities or new offerings.
Don’t worry, we promise not to spam you with promotions, we are way more excited to serve you by: (FILL IN WAYS YOU WILL SERVE THEM) and will only send you things that you’ll love.
Visit my site to join our list, today YOUR LINK HERE
YOUR NAME
YOUR COMPANY
Think of this email as an invitation, not a sales pitch.
If you really want to give yourself an advantage, address email email personally by adding the recipient’s name in the subject line. The personal touch goes a long way toward helping you build your email list.
Success Tip: Make It Easy For People To Join Your List
You want to be sure to add sign up forms to your web site or blog. Add a link to your capture page in your email signatures. Post a link to your capture page in your social media profiles.
Offer some incentives to help motivate visitors to join your list. We recommend using “lead magnets” to help boost your subscriber rate.
You really want to treat these contacts and ads as an opportunity to reach out and “invite” rather than “pitch” people to join your list. As you successfully build the “know, like, and trust” factor, you will begin to build an email list of people eagerly awaiting your updates and announcements.
More than just building blind subscriber numbers, you want engaged, targeted, and motivated readers. This is what will build your business.
Following these steps and setting up your email marketing campaign will give you a great start as your build your email list. Feel free to share your comments and ask questions any time!
Take advantage of unlimited email mailing list application and start building your list today!