One of the most popular questions I get from my audience is about Email List Building. It’s a valid question that still poses some concern for many people.
Building an email list is one of the most important things you can do for your business as it’s a direct line to your potential clients/ customers, and allows you to stay in touch with them regularly.
If you understand or even have an idea about email marketing, you know it’s your “owned” community where you can be transparent and open with your subscribers. Unlike social media, these people sign up to hear from you and you don’t have to compete with the changing algorithm to ensure that your content gets seen.
Once you decide to journey into the world of email marketing, please DO NOT think that it is an “if I build it, they will come approach”.
With all this information in mind, I’ve created Five Tips to help you with Effective Email List Building.
Like all marketing strategies, for it to be effective it requires that you put in the work to continue to build trust with your community. You will be required to send regular emails to the community and you must continue to promote your lead magnets or lead capture to ensure effective email list building.
Think of your community as a funnel, people will come in and people will go out. Some will stay and some will leave so it’s important to continue adding quality subscribers to your community. The people who stay are the ones who are interested in what you have to offer and who will be your loyal supporters.
Effective email list building is very possible once you follow the correct steps. Before we get started, here is one more bonus tip for you:
DO NOT email your subscribers only when you want to sell. At least once a week you should email your list to ensure you continue to nurture them and gain trust. Your emails can contain information such as tips, tricks, behind-the-scenes look at your business, and so on.
Five Tips to help you with Effective Email List Building:
- Choose your email marketing service provider.
There are many providers to choose from however when starting you will want to choose a platform that is easy to understand and to use.
I always recommend new clients to email marketing to open their account with MailerLite as it is free for up to 1000 subscribers, easy to use and there are many tutorials available on YouTube. More than likely you will be new to email list building and starting with minimum subscribers. Why would you want to pay for a platform with the same features you can get for free?
2. Create your Free Account with MailerLite.
Take your time with this one.
You will need to input information such as your Company’s name, email address, social media, and website links to submit for approval. Once approved your account is now open and it’s time to get started with your email list building!
3. Choose and create your lead magnet.
Your lead magnet or freebie is a method of exchanging something a potential subscriber wants for their email address. DO NOT create a freebie off the whim but instead choose something that your ideal client needs help with, something that will give them a quick solution to a problem they already have.
The best way to know what your audience wants is by doing your research!
You can simply ask your ideal client what they need help with through a survey, a poll, or a DM. Also, ask them which way they prefer to consume content e.g. videos, pdf’s, mini-training, etc. This will help you decide on the best way for your freebie to be delivered to your subscriber.
4. Create & Automate.
Once you have decided on your freebie it’s time to create the lead capture form by heading over to the Forms tab and choosing your design. Be sure to fill in all the necessary information to capture your subscriber’s email address and anything else you may need. After completing the form, you will need to create an automated welcome email and nurture sequence. This ensures that your new subscribers:
-
-
-
-
- Feels welcomed to your email community
- Receive what they signed up for by including the freebie in the welcome email again
- Get to know you and trust you through your nurture sequence which will eventually lead to sales or they will refer you to others.
-
-
-
5. Promote, promote, promote.
Once you’ve completed all the steps it’s time to launch your Freebie and start building your email community. You can promote your free offer in social media groups, social media links, on your website, through collaborations, DM’s, and paid advertising. It’s all about looking for opportunities to build your visibility and promote your freebie so you can build your list.
Bonus tip:
Be sure to plan at least a month of content to follow up with your subscribers once they join. You can easily create and schedule your emails and, planning a month ahead will give you enough time to continue creating and scheduling emails.
Effective email list building is very possible once you follow the correct steps. I have outlined five tips to help you get started.
Here is one more bonus tip for you:
DO NOT email your subscribers only when you want to sell. At least once a week you should email your list to ensure you continue to nurture them and gain trust. Your emails can contain information such as tips, tricks, behind-the-scenes look at your business, and so on.
If this feels like too much for you then schedule a free consultation and let’s discuss how we can work together and let’s start building your list, growing your email community, and increasing your sales!
I hope these tips helped you understand how email list building can be done the correct way!