Why do companies work so hard to develop a following on social media? Why do they try to get your email address? It’s simple, there is big money in that list. Here’s how you can cash in on a list of your own.
Customers are more than just a crucial element to business. They're the backbone. [quotesright]Most customers want the chance to be loyal to a company.[/quotesright]
To offer them this chance, you need to stay in their mind when they are considering anything related to your market, product, or service. [quotes]It's your job to remind them why they're important to you and give them a reason to stick around rather than go elsewhere. [/quotes]
People who visit your website or inquire one time but don’t buy are like a vein of gold in a mine. You just need to know how to reach it and mine it to make it pay off. We’ll tackle the question of how to build an email list ethically in this article and how to use SEO to attract more people.
It Begins with Your Website
In today's modern business, a website is essential. It’s your storefront; it’s the first place people go to check you out and see if you are a possible solution to their problem. But we know not all visitors buy on the first visit. It’s your job to make sure you stay in touch with them and help them discover that you are the best solution for their needs.
You could rely on the chance that someone might circle back to your site or store after visiting it once. [quotes]Or you can out hustle the competition by staying top-of-mind. [/quotes] Staying in touch is why you need to build and grow an email list.
If you don't collect email addresses, you're missing out on the best way of staying connected to your customers and prospects. With a large list, you can market directly to your customers and prospects in a way that’s direct, with no competition lurking to lure them to their sites. [quotesright]You end up in their email inbox – no distraction, no competition. [/quotesright]
How Do You Build Your List?
Even if you have no one on your list right now, it’s not too late to start. There are inventive ideas that get customers interested and make it easy to build a healthy email list.
Here are a few ideas to start out with to help grow the number of subscribers and make people feel excited about what you have to offer.
Start with A Blog
Starting a blog is one of the best ways to spark natural interest in what your company does. When blogging, you'll need compelling content that's relevant to your industry to keep customers interested and coming back for more.
You need to be providing answers people can apply to the problems they face or offer suggestions for finding the best product that fits their needs. [quotesright]Your helpful answers show you are an expert they can trust. [/quotesright]
Potential subscribers can find your blog when you use search engine optimized content, better known as SEO. Through SEO keywords, you'll increase your rankings within Google and find people already interested in what you have to offer.
When creating and establishing your blog, you need to publish new content at least a couple of times a week because regular activity is one of Google’s important ranking considerations. Further, your prospects and customers tend to stick around and learn more when there's more than one blog post.
This should be obvious but don’t forget to offer a place on your website where visitors can subscribe to your blog. This allows visitors to give you their email address and sign up to find out when new content is released. Simply ask for their name (whatever they give you, be it first or first and last name) and email address. Capture that and add to your list.
Offer Bonuses for Subscribers to Get Them Interested
[quotesright]Bonuses remain a popular offering for getting subscribers to join an email list. [/quotesright] That's because people enjoy getting something free that they believe adds value to their business or life.
Before you worry about how you'll afford to give away a bonus to everyone, keep these facts in mind. Your bonus is best when it's digital and something subscribers can download or watch right away.
Send your bonus out automatically when someone signs up. Don’t make them wait for the bonus item. Your bonus item could be a white paper, special spreadsheet, or anything else that you create that relates to your company.
Here’s an idea: Do their research for them and position your product fairly but prominently in a “Review of the Best XYZ Products.” It's a simple and easy way to get a boost in your list and a reason to get them to give you their name and email address.
Some people subscribe just for the bonus item and leave. If you're curious to find out if changing your approach or bonus will improve return visits and your results, consider promoting a free offer.
[quotes]Evaluate what it does for your business and how people act. [/quotes] If you give them a taste of what you offer and open the door to other possibilities, you'll notice a jump in customers and dedicated subscribers, which is sure to help your email list.
Promote Your List and Offers on Social Media
Social media is one of the best tools available when it comes to promoting your business and increasing the number of subscribers on your list.
Social media gives you an avenue for free promotion. You can promote your list, a blog post, or a bonus item, and not pay anything.
By using hashtags you narrow down your audience and increase your chances of reaching the right people. Doing that, your company can reach a wider range of organic traffic, i.e. people who find you through a search or via the “related articles” that are added to the social media or search page they are browsing. Organic traffic delivers the best results and brings in more folks who will stick around longer.
[quotes]Social media lets people share what they find with others. [/quotes] If you notice a positive reception on social media, it's likely because people decided to share your post with friends, family, and other individuals who they believe can benefit from your product or service.
There's a variety of social media services you can use to connect with new subscribers. From creating a Facebook fan page to an Instagram account with a variety of pictures, you can choose whatever medium you believe is most suitable for your business and makes the best use of your time.
Understand Losing Subscribers is Normal
It's normal to lose 10 to 25 percent of an email list every year. There's a variety of reasons for this, and not all have to do with your company. For example, they changed jobs or email addresses and didn’t update their information on your site.
People subscribe to your list and end up not needing your services because they've moved or their situation has changed. In some cases, you've helped solve the problem they experienced.
Other times people simply get overwhelmed with email and unsubscribe as a method of cleaning their inbox. In some cases, they weren't opening your emails, so it's not as though you truly lost much to begin with.
Leverage Your List with A Newsletter and Direct Mail Offers
You list isn't just for fun. You are building it as an integral pillar to your marketing program to generate leads and make sales.
[quotes]Use it to stay in front of your prospects and customers, cut through the clutter of social media and put your offers and consistently display your knowledge and message.[/quotes] Email newsletters showcase you regularly and demonstrate your knowledge and ability to help solve problems, deliver reliable service and offer products that best meet your customer's wants.
Email offers targeted to the customer's needs are a proven way to promote upcoming seasonal offers, service reminders, promote upcoming events, seminars and push merchandise specials.
Repurpose your blog posts and articles in your newsletter. [quotes]Ask yourself "How many people have a checklist of social sites they must visit every morning when they get on the computer?"[/quotes] Send a newsletter and relevant offers directly to their email inbox.
Learn More
If your email list is looking a little sparse and you're wondering how to collect email addresses, there are plenty of subscribers out there ready for the taking. Using a few of these techniques can help your business grow as people discover what you have to offer.
We have many other insights and strategies you can use to catalyze growth in your business. Shouldn’t we be talking? USA: 877.433.6225 feedback@focalpointcoaching.com
