A site visitor is a terrible thing to waste!
If you're not collecting email addresses on your website (and anywhere else you can), you are missing out on opportunities to turn one-time visitors into your best customers.
No matter how they found you - maybe you placed a banner ad or two, distributed a flyer or from a networking event - if you're not providing a way for customers and visitors to express interest in hearing from you in the future, your marketing effort was nothing more than a one-shot deal.
Don't hide it! - Place your email list sign-up on your homepage above the fold. Place it on as many pages where it will fit, like 'news' or 'contact us.'
Make it quick and painless - Just get the email address to start. Your visitors' and customers' trust must be earned and this only happens over time.
Make your privacy policy clear up front - Make sure they understand how you will be using their email address, that it won't be sold or traded and that they can decide to "opt-out" of further communications at any time.
Create an incentive - If the lure of important tips or promotions isn't enough, email list sign-up success can be achieved with sweepstakes or drawings. Make sure your incentive is closely related to your product or service. That way, you'll end up with an audience interested in you, not just the latest gadget.
Make your site traffic work for you by building your own opt-in email list and communicating with your visitors and customers.
By having an email marketing method in place you will have more of an incentive to grow your list and put a place and purpose to those contacts you meet.
