Growing your Database!

Every business owner wants a big email list. The bigger the list, the better the potential for sales, right? The problem lies when you try to create a big list overnight.

Building a list too quickly without thought could have its pitfalls – We have 3 simple tips to help!

1. Have easy-to-find signup forms on your website

Your signup form need to be eye-catching but thorough. Have you ever been in a store where you had to hunt down a salesperson to make a purchase? You want a signup form that is as easy to spot as it is to find the cash registers at Target. In other words, up front and colorful.

Place the signup form in a prominent place on every page of your website. When you treat it with importance, you encourage visitors to sign up.

Also, make it clear what your visitor is signing up for. For example, a signup form that says “Sign Up for Our Weekly Newsletter” lets your visitors know how often they will hear from you. By establishing clear expectations, you avoid the potential that your emails will be marked as spam later.

2. Offer an incentive for signing up

Invite people to join your list by offering them a reason to sign up. This usually comes in the form of a freebie or an offer that can be considered a bonus to the valuable content you normally offer through your newsletter. It could be a free report or tool, an exclusive discount, a free trial or a free recording of a podcast or webinar.

Whatever you offer, make sure it’s appealing and useful to your audience. It should also fit with your brand and messaging. For ideas, check the traffic statistics on your blog posts and see what attracts the most views.

Then be sure to spread the word about your incentive. For example, post it on social media outlets. And issue a press release to fellow bloggers who might share your link with their audience. Be sure to stress the value of the incentive and why someone would benefit from joining your list.

3. Use social media to promote signup

Finally, you’ll want to further your efforts by offering signup options through your social media channels. For example, install an email signup box on Facebook to convert fans into email marketing list members. Or tweet out a link on Twitter. Be sure to share some of the content of your newsletter via your Facebook and Twitter updates to attract new list members. And don’t forget to put a signup box on your blog. If visitors love your posts, they’ll be more likely to sign up to receive your emails as well.

Make sure you are using “share with your network” buttons. People are more likely to trust a recommendation from a friend. If your newsletter is shared, it increases the chances the friend will sign up for your list themselves.

By building your email lists through these tried-and-true methods, you’ll increase your list numbers with loyal followers. All aboard!

CFL Marketing can help you in all aspects of growing databases, Please see the presentation we put together back in 2011. It has really aided Businesses to build a great Marketing asset with fantastic results and a large ROI.

Data Capture - 12 tips from CFL Marketing