You know you need to grow your email list but you aren’t sure how. There are many ways to grow your email list. Depending on your business, some will work better than others.
I find it’s best to incorporate multiple tactics to grow your email list. I’ve used all of the strategies mentioned below and found some success with each.
Mention Your Email List in a Blog Post
If you have a blog, mention your email list in individual blog posts. It could be as simple as organically mentioning that your next email is coming out and including a link where they can sign up. I get the best conversions with this method.
This method is easy for your readers to participate in.
Sign Up Form on your Website
Your email provider has forms that can be placed in your sidebar, footer or used in a slider. The area following a blog post is also a great place for a sign-up form. It’s a good idea to have multiple sign-up forms so that your readers always have the option to sign up. Forms can also be configured to slide in or pop up.
Make sure your sign-up form doesn’t cover the whole page. Google will penalize pages that have the content obstructed by pop-ups. Try something like the sign-up form below.
Social Media
Do you have a great social media following? Put it to good use by encouraging your followers to subscribe to your email list. I find this works best when I create a sense of urgency and capitalize on their fear of missing out. For example, “On Saturday’s email, I’ll share my secret money-saving tips for business owners! Don’t miss it! Get on my list today!”
This type of post creates urgency and piques their interest.
Promote at Events
If you attend in-person events, you can have people who visit your table sign up for your email list. Some people will want to learn more about your message. Other people may need a bit more incentive. Businesses can create a small basket for a giveaway. Have a clipboard or mobile device where visitors can sign up, then you will draw a name at the end of the day.
Bloggers will often include the option of signing up for an email list to win a virtual giveaway.
Similarly, if you have brochures or printed materials at your table, include a mention of your email list and the benefits they get by signing up. Use a QR code to send people directly to your sign-up form.
Video
Video is outpacing other forms of communication and can be used to grab readers’ attention. Whether you are using video to promote your email list or a freebie (mentioned next), it’s a great method to use if you are comfortable in front of the camera.
Consider using videos on your website and social media to talk about what your readers will get when they sign up for your email list. Will they get weekly, monthly, or quarterly emails? Will they get sales pitches, tips, or all your new blog posts? Create a short video so they know exactly what they get. You can share this video regularly or create one for each freebie you have.
Freebie
There are a lot of names for this category. Often, people will entice readers to sign up for the email list with free content, content upgrades, freebies, opt-ins, and the list goes on. Basically, it’s bonus content that isn’t included on your blog that you are giving your readers in exchange for their email addresses. It’s a trade.
These are a great way to get more names on your list and to see what your audience is interested in. On My Plant-Based Family, I regularly create meal plans that people can download. These freebies keep new people signing up for my email list every day.
Free Course
Similar to a freebie, a free course is a series of educational emails that appeal to your reader. Each email in the series will contain easy to understand information, typically in small, actionable steps.
Free Courses are often used to sell an enhanced version of a product. This can be very successful at both growing your email list and increasing your sales. Just make sure the free course adds value or you will lose your readers.
Do you have a favorite way to grow your email list? My favorites are mentioning my email list organically in my posts and offering freebies for my readers.
Which works best for you?