Is email marketing a thing of the past? Not at all! The truth is that not everyone relies on social media to get their information, and email marketing is more important to your business than ever. It's one of the most effective tools you can use to stay in contact with your customers, and your potential customers.
Here's how to grow your email list, and grow your profits at the same time.
The Power of Visibility
You want people to join your email list, of course. That means it's important to make sure joining is an obvious and easy step to take. In order for people to do what you want, they need to be able to see it. No matter how people interact with you and your business, you need to make sure their ability to connect with you via email is visible.
Think about the places people connect with you. Whether it's in your store, at your office, at a trade show or event, or online via your website, social media, or review site, where they find you is where you need to ask for their contact information, up front and center, where they can see it.
Keep it Simple
Simplicity is key when you want to get someone to do what you're asking. If it's time consuming, labor intensive, or complicated, they'll skip it. It needs to be convenient, it needs to be quick, and it needs to be simple.
Make sure you have an easy to fill out form on your website, a link on your blog and your social media platforms, a smartphone app, text applications, and yes, even a pen and paper at your register. Whatever methods you determine are best for you, just remember to keep it simple. Don't make them answer too many questions, either - they're more likely to join your list if the only information they have to provide makes sense to them.
Show Them the Value
Your customers and potential customers are significantly more likely to sign up for an email list if they find some inherent value in doing so. What you offer as an incentive to sign up is important and is a hugely motivating factor.
Some proven value in email comes when you offer things such as tips, tricks, and how-to's, discounts and bargains, and access to upcoming event information. These are things you will give in return for their email address.
Customers want to feel like they have the inside scoop, and adding them to your email list can do just that. But it has to have a few primary ingredients in order to create a compelling reason for them to sign up: it has to be visible, it has to be simple, and it has to have value. Growing your email list is as important as any other marketing tool you have in your toolbox. Start using it today.
