 Seven Sure-Fire Ways to Grow Your Email List
The holidays are upon us, but chances are your secret Santa isn't going to leave a first-rate permission-based email list of bluebird prospects on your desk. Which means you'll have to do it yourself. But building a solid, opt-in email list can be a challenge. So what's a marketer to do? Buying lists is one option. Prices range from $0.10 to $3.50 a name — but do your homework. Some lists run the risk of being poorly targeted, obsolete or even stolen! Furthermore, most acquired lists aren't opt-in; that is, your information could be perceived as spam because these people didn't ask to receive it. Don't despair! While good lists can be acquired through reputable vendors, we've got seven sure-fire ways of building your email lists and jump starting your integrated eMarketing efforts today! 1. Trade Shows and Networking Events Attending, presenting or exhibiting at trade shows and networking events intended for your target audiences are excellent ways to expand your email list. When talking with interested parties, ask permission to add them to your email list and show samples of newsletters, special events or promotions they could take part in by being listed. Before blasting them with emails, send a personal greeting to recap your conversation and verify interest. This will minimize the perception of sending spam and strengthen your new relationship. 2. Seminars and Web Casts Seminars and Web casts are a great way to build credibility (and your email list!) with a qualified audience. After all, they were interested enough to attend or register for your event! Develop these budding relationships one step further by asking permission to add them to your email list during the registration process. This way, even those unable to attend can still receive information from you. Just remember: keep your registration application short and sweet. Don't lose valuable contacts because of a lengthy registration form! 3. Third-Party Sponsorships Sponsoring (or placing ads in) third-party email newsletters can be a particularly effective way to build your email list with new customers. Attract attention with a special offer or incentive and drive interested parties back to your Web site (via a hyperlink) to register. For instance, a software company might advertise a free trial version of its application in an email newsletter from a high-tech magazine publisher. These types of sponsorships work because the sender and recipient already have an existing relationship; you're simply leveraging that relationship to introduce your offering. 4. Viral Marketing and Web Promotions When building your email list, don't overlook the power of your own Web site and word of mouth. Have you ever surfed the Internet, came across a great offer, and told your friends about it? That's viral marketing. Offer a can't-miss promotion on your Web site, provide registration and include a line for visitors to sign up for your newsletter. While this strategy runs the risk of attracting unqualified contacts, it does allow you to initiate communication and qualify the contact at a later time. 5. Direct Mail Campaigns If you don't have the time to update your database through telemarketing, leverage your postal addresses with a direct mail campaign designed to build your email list. Using a special incentive such as a contest or a prize, drive your direct mail recipients to a special registration page on your Web site for the offer. To generate a greater response rate, design different campaigns (and rewards!) for different customer types, i.e., existing or prospective. Just remember to keep the registration form short and simple! 6. Telemarketing and Voicemail Don't forget about using your good old fashioned telephone to collect emails. For inbound calls, designate a special voicemail allowing people to leave their email address when requesting information. ("To receive information via email, please press 4.") Alternatively, use telemarketers to collect emails when updating your database. When calling, state your purpose and keep it short: verify or request the proper spelling of names, titles or department, business addresses, and of course, email addresses. Don't fret if some people ask to be removed from your list. After all, your objective is to create a list of contacts genuinely interested in your offering. 7. Point of Purchase and Retail Locations Point-of-purchase and retail locations offer great opportunities to build an email list with interested or existing customers. While customers are admiring or buying your product, ask them if they'd like to be included on future mailings about sales and/or loyalty and referral programs. Displaying a fishbowl to collect business cards or using a sign-up sheet for contact information usually does the trick! Saving the Best for Last! The success of your eMarketing efforts will always come down to producing high-caliber, value-added content that your recipients will want to receive. Let the experts at Proven Systems help! Proven Systems'
marketing savvy advisory program will help your organization build your list as large as you want it to be. For more information, click here. | 
