3 Practices We Use To Grow Our Email List

What if we told you there's a tool at your fingertips that can supercharge your business growth? Enter the unsung hero of lead generation: the email list. 

In the world of marketing strategy, email lists may not be flashy or trendy, but they are effective. Even with the popularity of social media, emails still have excellent reach and remain one of the most cost-effective tools. 

But you can't just slap a subscription form on the footer of your website and hope for the best, you have to include growing your email list as part of your marketing strategy. Never fear, we're here to help with three simple tricks to grow an email list. 

Why you need to grow your email list

Emails allow you a direct line of communication to your current and potential customers. Unlike social media platforms, emails aren't subject to algorithms, so you have complete control of what is being seen. You can send personalized, targeted messaging and offers based on demographics or purchase history, increasing conversion rates. 

Emails also build customer relationships; by providing relevant and valuable content, you can build trust and loyalty over time. Plus, people on your email list have already shown interest in your business, so this is the perfect opportunity to turn them into customers! The best part? Many email marketing tools are affordable, or even have a free version, so you're getting a great return on investment. 

Now that we’ve determined why you need an email list, the first step is to add some signup forms to your website. Usually, they are placed on a landing page, home page, footer, popup and/or blog. Next, it's time to find some new subscribers!

1. Freebies

Who can resist free stuff? The idea is to use free exclusive content as an incentive to join your email list! They can take the form of free ebooks, guides, planners, templates, checklists, quizzes, resource lists etc. The options are endless! Canva is a great tool for designing freebies with your own branding (with a free version!).

Offering relevant content at no cost to your community creates an immediate sense of trust and credibility. They may not have even hired you yet and you're already adding value – now that's a good first impression. They have the added benefit of capturing attention and driving traffic to your website. It's easy to promote freebies using social media pages, Pinterest or even a popup on your website. All the freebie and its promotion will cost you is a bit of your time and expertise, so these are a great return on investment. 

All you have to do is provide an email signup form with a catchy teaser of the kind of content they can expect, and once they opt-in, you email the freebie. Try out one or two different freebies to see what converts, and if the buzz dies out, try a new one!

2. List Exchanges

Collaborate with other businesses who have a similar target audience, list size, or location to share each other's offers, promotions, or freebies. For example, if you're a personal trainer, your audience would probably benefit from the freebie of a nutritionist, and vice versa. If you're a pet sitter, you could partner with a toy company to offer a discount if you sign up for both email lists. Want to capture more of a local audience? A regular newsletter featuring different local businesses can be beneficial for everyone!

3. Offer online Summits, Webinars or Presentations

Want to share your expertise and build credibility along with your email list? Summits, webinars, and presentations are attention-grabbing and high-value lead magnets. They provide an in-depth learning experience and foster meaningful conversations. You can develop personal connections with your community, so they are more likely to engage with your emails moving forward. It allows participants to have their questions answered in real time and network with other people within your niche. 

It is also a great opportunity to partner with other businesses to utilize each other’s email lists, social media accounts, and potentially share any costs to host the event. You can repurpose this content into social media posts and blog posts, or offer a recording of the live event to continue email list building.

Now that the power of email lists is undeniable, let's get those subscribers rolling in! If you want to stand out, consider offering irresistible freebies, exploring list exchanges to broaden your reach, or provide high-value experiences like summits, webinars, and presentations. With these in your toolbox, you're well on your way to growing an email list that will fuel your business's growth for years to come.