How to Grow Your Email List
Keep your e-mails informative, not just advertisements., Stop regretting the past: Send former customers a postcard inviting them to subscribe., Remember all the people who said “no” or “not for now”?, Be sure to grab business cards at parties...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Keep your e-mails informative
Answer: “What’s in it for them? How can I educate them?” Less is more:
E-mail newsletter articles should be less than 300 words, or have a “more” link (to your website). -
Step 2: not just advertisements.
And now, start asking for their e-mail addresses.
Be sure to add your potential future customers. , Keep ‘em in your loop; they should be updated and reminded continually.
If you don’t have their e-mail address, re-connect with them.
Or send them a personal letter (or postcard) about your newsletter.
Position yourself as an expert by sending prospects your newsletter. , Notice whether they have an e-mail address on it.
If not, ask: “Is there a good way to keep in contact by e-mail?” , Offer your e-newsletter in all your communication collaterals.
Your e-mails should have an easy (and encouraging) “Send-to-a-Friend” forward button (a.k.a. “viral marketing”).
Passively invite and remind through your e-mail signature. , Ask them to forward your e-mail to those who’d find your information relevant.
Don’t have their e-mail addresses? Call them up to re-ignite the relationship, or send them a postcard about your newsletter. , Also, don’t forget about your family’s doctors and other personal service providers.
They won’t say no to their customer! , Swapping lists may constitute spamming – you can ask your friend to write a brief foreword endorsing you (make it simple for them to opt-out). , You can get much more out of chambers of commerce than just member directories, but it is a quick way to build your e-mail list. “Dear fellow member,” while ineffective, at least shows you’re not a blatant spammer.
If you send an e-newsletter, be sure to add an un-subscribe or opt-out link.
Coupled with a business relationship, adding their addresses to your list is a great way to cultivate business. , Again, stealing addresses – or sending members unsolicited e-mails
- is technically spam.
But through networks like LinkedIn, Craigslist, Myspace, etc., you can privately ask if they’d like to receive your newsletter.
You can also publicly notify special interest forums about your free newsletter.
Again, the more informative your “e-Value Proposition” is, the better the response will be. , This is controversial, but friend of a friend... should be your friend, on your list.
When you get e-mails publicly displaying other people’s addresses, don’t simply add them to your newsletter list (this would still be spam).
You should introduce yourself to them, and ask if they’d like to receive your newsletter.
Make sure the introduction is personal, private, or at least BCC (blind carbon copy) the other e-mail addresses! , Hopefully, e-mail solicitation isn’t the only reason you want to get to know your neighbors.
But this ulterior motive can help you develop relationships with those you’re around everyday.
Likewise, your e-newsletter can be the impetus to reacquaint yourself with old friends from school.
And of course, add your family and friends to your list; go ahead and “spam ‘em!” -
Step 3: Stop regretting the past: Send former customers a postcard inviting them to subscribe.
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Step 4: Remember all the people who said “no” or “not for now”?
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Step 5: Be sure to grab business cards at parties
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Step 6: professional and social.
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Step 7: Make sure your website has an easy way to grab your visitors' e-mail addresses; the form box can be labeled as ‘E-mail Updates’ or ‘Free Newsletter.’ (Be sure to remind them that you won’t sell or share their e-mail addresses.)
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Step 8: Add all your colleagues from your current position
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Step 9: and friends from your former positions.
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Step 10: Add your vendors
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Step 11: suppliers
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Step 12: and those who prospect you to your e-mail list.
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Step 13: Offer to send your colleagues e-newsletters to your list
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Step 14: or to include their tidbits And then ask if they would reciprocate.
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Step 15: Take advantage of member lists.
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Step 16: Hang around blogs and website forums.
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Step 17: Seize upon CC (carbon copy).
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Step 18: Don’t forget your professional neighbors: the businesses in the next suite
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Step 19: office
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Step 20: and around your block.
Detailed Guide
Answer: “What’s in it for them? How can I educate them?” Less is more:
E-mail newsletter articles should be less than 300 words, or have a “more” link (to your website).
And now, start asking for their e-mail addresses.
Be sure to add your potential future customers. , Keep ‘em in your loop; they should be updated and reminded continually.
If you don’t have their e-mail address, re-connect with them.
Or send them a personal letter (or postcard) about your newsletter.
Position yourself as an expert by sending prospects your newsletter. , Notice whether they have an e-mail address on it.
If not, ask: “Is there a good way to keep in contact by e-mail?” , Offer your e-newsletter in all your communication collaterals.
Your e-mails should have an easy (and encouraging) “Send-to-a-Friend” forward button (a.k.a. “viral marketing”).
Passively invite and remind through your e-mail signature. , Ask them to forward your e-mail to those who’d find your information relevant.
Don’t have their e-mail addresses? Call them up to re-ignite the relationship, or send them a postcard about your newsletter. , Also, don’t forget about your family’s doctors and other personal service providers.
They won’t say no to their customer! , Swapping lists may constitute spamming – you can ask your friend to write a brief foreword endorsing you (make it simple for them to opt-out). , You can get much more out of chambers of commerce than just member directories, but it is a quick way to build your e-mail list. “Dear fellow member,” while ineffective, at least shows you’re not a blatant spammer.
If you send an e-newsletter, be sure to add an un-subscribe or opt-out link.
Coupled with a business relationship, adding their addresses to your list is a great way to cultivate business. , Again, stealing addresses – or sending members unsolicited e-mails
- is technically spam.
But through networks like LinkedIn, Craigslist, Myspace, etc., you can privately ask if they’d like to receive your newsletter.
You can also publicly notify special interest forums about your free newsletter.
Again, the more informative your “e-Value Proposition” is, the better the response will be. , This is controversial, but friend of a friend... should be your friend, on your list.
When you get e-mails publicly displaying other people’s addresses, don’t simply add them to your newsletter list (this would still be spam).
You should introduce yourself to them, and ask if they’d like to receive your newsletter.
Make sure the introduction is personal, private, or at least BCC (blind carbon copy) the other e-mail addresses! , Hopefully, e-mail solicitation isn’t the only reason you want to get to know your neighbors.
But this ulterior motive can help you develop relationships with those you’re around everyday.
Likewise, your e-newsletter can be the impetus to reacquaint yourself with old friends from school.
And of course, add your family and friends to your list; go ahead and “spam ‘em!”
About the Author
Joan Nguyen
Enthusiastic about teaching pet care techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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