Last Updated on December 15, 2022 by Ava
So, you want to build an email list?
That’s a smart idea. That is the easiest, cheapest, and most important asset you can build for your business.
Getting started is easier than you think.
With certain email marketing platforms, you can even start building your list without a website since most email marketing platforms have a landing page option.
All you need is a little know-how to get your opt-in form up and running.
That’s where I come in.
What’s Your Incentive?
What are you going to give people in exchange for their email addresses?
I know it might sound absurd if you’re new to Internet marketing, but you’re going to have to offer them something of value.
Thinking an email address is “free” is a common misconception. Allowing you into their inbox is huge. They are trusting that you won’t send them a bunch of garbage that they’ll have to delete regularly or have to unsubscribe to later.
So, you have to provide them some value upfront.
You need a lead magnet.
It could be an eBook (5-page minimum), checklist, worksheet, etc. Whatever you choose, it has to be irresistible. You should put just as much time and effort into it as you would your main books or other products.
I can help you figure this out:
- What to offer
- How to put it together
- Write it
What Should I Send to My Email List?
Once you have everything in place to begin building your email list, this is usually the next burning question, right?
I’ll be honest, I was one of those people who was hesitant about list building when I started out well over a decade ago. I didn’t implement it from the start. Then once I did begin building my list, I never sent any emails.
Once in a blue moon, I might send out a new book notification or something, but it was largely ineffective on all fronts.
Needless to say, I didn’t put much emphasis on email marketing.
All of that changed when I came across a fellow named Ben Settle who is a master of email marketing. Ben writes to his list every day and sometimes multiple times a day. I know what you’re thinking…daily emails? No way!
I know, I’ve unsubbed to people for less.
A lot of things aligned for me around the time I started following Mr. Settle’s work, and on a whim, I decided I was going to begin writing to my list every day.
That’s when everything changed for me.
I suddenly had this content/idea machine that was pumping out great topics for me on a daily basis. 3 months later, I’d written a book…and published it!
So, if you’re stumped on what you should be sending out, you can:
Newsletters
You may also consider sending out a weekly or monthly newsletter on behalf of your business or organization. Newsletters can be extremely useful and you can monetize them in a number of ways.
Benefits of Sending Out a Newsletter
So you don’t want to just send out rehashed content to your subscribers. You want to send out old stuff mixed with new stuff and exclusive offers.
Check out these benefits:
- Easy and cheap compared to direct mail
- Build backlinks to your website
- Maintain control over your brand
- Generate sales
- Keep subscribers updated
- Recycle older content
The list could go on. Can your business benefit from any of that up there ^?
I bet so.
A newsletter is truly an asset to your business. It is content in and of itself that you can send out via social media and archive on your website.
Let’s start building your list today!
Email Marketing Platforms
There are a ton of platforms you can use to begin building your list so you have contacts to send your newsletter to.
Here are a few:
- Mailchimp
- MailerLite (my personal fav)
- Aweber
- GetResponse
- Constant Contact
- Active Campaign
Most of these are way affordable for any business, and at least two of them is free if you have under 1,000 subscribers. Most of them have a trial period where you can try their service out. I recommend starting with MailerLite because it’s free for up to 1,000 subscribers and has all the functionality you need to run effective email marketing campaigns for your business. However, if you don’t have a website (required by MailerLite), then MailChimp is a close second option.
I recommend that you start building your email list from DAY ONE.
Even if there’s no other content on your website, your form should be up capturing email addresses. This is the best and cheapest asset you can build for your business online.
How Can I Help You Get Started
- Develop an action plan
- Write a series of emails for your project or to welcome your new subscribers
- Develop a newsletter template where you just plug in the content each week
- Manage your newsletter
If you’re ready, head over here and send me an email with a few brief details about what you need.