An email marketing list is a crucial asset for any online business (read more about why here).

So why is it that getting started with collecting email addresses for your own business can feel tricky and cause overwhelm??

Here are five tried and tested ways that I use with my clients to get started with building an email marketing list!

Offer an incentive

Offer your website visitors a valuable incentive, such as an exclusive discount, a free ebook, or a recorded masterclass, in exchange for their email address. This not only encourages them to sign up but also ensures that your subscribers are genuinely interested in your brand and they get some value from you for doing so, starting that important journey to becoming your raving fans.

Use pop-up forms

Pop-up forms that appear on your website after a certain amount of time or when a user attempts to leave can be an effective way to capture email addresses. Make sure the forms are visually appealing, have a clear call-to-action, and offer a good reason for signing up!

Leverage your social media accounts

Use social media to promote your email list and encourage your followers to sign up. You can create posts that highlight the benefits of joining your email list or even run ads targeting your ideal audience.

Host a contest or giveaway

Contests or giveaways can be an effective way to incentivise people to sign up for your email list. Make sure the prize is something your target audience will value and require participants to provide their email address to enter.

Optimise your website

Make sure your website is optimised for email list growth by placing opt-in forms in prominent locations such as your homepage, blog sidebar, and footer. Use clear and concise language to explain the benefits of subscribing and make it easy for users to sign up.

It’s no secret that Simplero is my preferred platform for all of the above - find out if it’s the right platform for YOU here!

Things to watch out for:

Treasure those email addresses

Make sure you are clear with your users on how to you intend to use their email address. You're not here to "spam" them or sell their email address on to the highest bidder. You will treasure their email address and treat it with the respect it deserves (as well as upholding any privacy laws that applies to you - think GDPR and beyond here!).

Quality not quantity

Don't build a list of email addresses that aren't genuinely interested in your brand. Take care of that email list and give it a good shake-out from time to time. Unsubscribe people who aren't reading your emails, delete any clear spam addresses. Good list hygiene is essential to keeping your delivery rates up and ensuring you're reaching the people who genuinely want to hear from you!

Be a good friend

Keep in touch with your email subscribers - don't ask people to sign up then never "call them back"! They've asked to hear from you by giving you their email address - use it!

Here at Kristina Smith VBS, we can take the overwhelm and fear out of growing your email list by doing it for you! Want to create your first Lead Magnet but don't know where to begin? Not sure how to even begin collecting email addresses or what to do with the ones you have?

We've got you covered!

Book your discovery call here to get started!