So many people still don’t even realise just how important email lists are but since you’re here, we’re guessing that you do know how important it is. That puts you a step ahead of the rest already.
Maybe you don’t know how to grow a list or even where to begin. These 5 action points will help get you started and they’re also things you can start doing today. Growing an email isn’t as complicated as we sometimes make it out to be in our heads – it’s simply about having a plan, taking consistent action and that list of yours will just keep growing.
5 ways to grow your email list today
1. Create a killer freebie
Who needs more emails in their inbox? You’re right – nobody! But everybody loves a freebie. So that’s where your killer freebie comes in – give your visitors/readers something irresistible for free, in exchange for their sign-up.
This killer freebie doesn’t have be be anything complicated so don’t over think it. It simply should be something useful directly related to your business. E.g. if you’re a photographer, you could give away a mini course on taking better pictures with your smartphone.
The trick is to keep it simple, relevant to your business, useful to your audience and to just do it. If your freebie isn’t converting, then you can always change it. So don’t over think it; brainstorm a few ideas today, pick the one that you think will work best and start creating that freebie.
2. Make your opt-in boxes very visible
So many of us still have little subscribe boxes buried deep in our sidebars. This doesn’t work. Nobody will see it and that means nobody will subscribe. So once you’ve created your killer freebie, make it so prominent that it’s the first thing every visitor sees. This means it should be at the top of your site, above the fold.
But don’t stop there. By all means have more opt-in boxes – one of our favourite places to have them is in the middle of a post. It may seem distracting but it works so much better than in the sidebar.
3. Host a giveaway
We haven’t always been a fan of this method as you often end up with subscribers who are only interested in the freebie and will not be engaged subscribers in the long term. And at the end of the day, you want engaged subscribers – its far better to have 1000 engaged subscribers than 5000 who are only in it for the freebies.
But, there is a way that giveaways do work and can get you lots of subscribers quickly. That is to have a competition where the giveaway is very relevant to your business. So if you’re a food blogger, don’t go giving away £25 amazon vouchers or anything random like that. Instead you could give away a beautiful ebook with 10 recipes not available on your site (you can always sell this book later so it’s a win win!). The giveaway doesn’t have to be expensive, just something your target audience would really want.
4. Promote your killer freebie
Remember that killer freebie you created? Yup it should be prominent on your site but it doesn’t end there. Take that freebie and promote the life out of it. We’re talking social media, pinterest, facebook ads and insta ads and anywhere else you have a presence. Heck, you can even add a link to your email signature. Get creative with this and get it out there!
5. Give new visitors discounts
Have an online shop? This strategy is a must. Whether you’re a blogger with a side hustle selling some stuff or you’re a full time small business selling anything, give small discounts to new visitors.
There’s a reason why so many online shops offer you 10-20% off your first purchase if you subscribe to their newsletter. The reason is that it works. The customer gets a discount and who doesn’t love that? And the shop owner (you) get a new targeted lead who you can then send news, offers and discounts to again and again.
Pick one of these 5 email growth tips and start applying it today. Then work through these tips and you’ll see your email list growing everyday.
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