List Building: How Can I Get More Email Subscribers?
This is the latest reader question asked by one of my Facebook pals and to tell you the truth by a lot of people — and it’s all about list building. Even the most savvy marketers are constantly tweaking and testing their systems for adding new subscribers to their lists. So there’s no shame in beginners wondering how on earth they will get more than the 10 subscribers that they already have (mom, dad, and their college roommates!) I want to help demystify the subscriber list building process…
Q: How do I get my subscriber list to grow past the 10 names I have on here (my friends and family)?
A: First, I am not a typical marketer, so I’m going to tell you the truth. There is no quick fix for list building. There is no bright and shiny marketing product or tool that will help build your list by the thousands in 30 days! It takes entrepreneurs a good deal of time to build a highly responsive list (one that actually converts and buys from you).
Second, building your subscriber list is really about finding the marketing techniques that resonate with you and then going full throttle with those babies! Stop thinking that this “next thing” is going to be the solution to all your list building prayers. Most likely it isn’t. It’s simply a distraction. If you know that you are a good writer — then article marketing and blogging may be the major way that you build your list. If you are a social butterfly, perhaps social media will be more up your alley. If you don’t mind investing in advertising, perhaps Adsense pay per click or Facebook ads are the thing for you. Use a list building strategy that you enjoy doing or you will never make it past those 10 names.
Third, make sure you have all the parts necessary for building a good subscriber list:
- You will need a list service or autoresponder service like Aweber, Constant Contact, MailChimp, etc.
- You will need a list building landing page to capture subscriber names.
- You will need an opt-in box to place on that page.
- It’s important that you have a bit of copy on that list building page that entices the reader to opt-in — a.k.a. stress the benefits of joining your list.
- Make sure you have something to say to your subscribers once they do opt-in. Think about an email autoresponder series. What kind of information would your subscribers like from you? Or better yet — maybe you publish a newsletter that you will send out on a regular basis. The key thing here is that you need to say something to your list to start building a relationship with them — or they will soon forget you.
Fourth, and this is what you really wanted to hear:) — use some of these list building strategies to get things rolling:
- Submit articles to article directories (such as EzineArticles.com). Include a link to your list building page in the resource box.
- Write articles on your own blog. Include a invitation to get more updates and/or join your list at the end of every post.
- Write for other blogs — again include a resource box or call to action.
- Get your list building page up on your Facebook fan page.
- Get active in forums appropriate for your niche. Add your list building link to your forum signatures.
- Join Twitter Chats & Facebook and LinkedIn groups. Periodically refer to your newsletter op-tin as a resource.
- Consider adding a subscriber building pop-up to your website. I use PopUp Domination.
- Give away something really yummy for signing up with you (a free ebook, teleclass, mini consultation, etc.) Think about what readers would love to get for free and give it to them!
- Make sure you give folks every opportunity to join your list if they are on your blog/site. An opt-in box should always be visible on every page.
Try one or a few of these strategies to start building your list. Figure out which one (or two) you really love and use them consistently! That is what will move your list out of the “friend zone” and into a growing database of potential clients and customers.
Lisa Angelettie
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Hey, thanks for a great article. One thing I’ve really struggled with is building my subscriber list, and you’ve brought up some great points here which clear the air for me.