4 Ways to Grow Once Your Website’s Live: Get an email list

This is the second part in our 4 ways to grow once your website’s live series. (If you haven’t already you can check out part 1: Get Connected here).

Today we’re looking at the second way: building that all important email list!

Imagine if your customers came to you and said: “Please sell to me.”, “Please help me with this problem I’m having.”, “Will you teach me how to do xyz?”, “I really want to know when you’re having a sale, what your new products are and when I can get my hands on them.”, etc.

That would be awesome right, but a little too good to be true?

Well that’s exactly what people are doing when they sign up to your email list. They are giving you permission to sell to them. Perfect?!

So are you?

Are you asking them for the permission to sell to and help them? And are you selling to them when they give you that permission?

WHAT DO I MEAN BY GIVING PERMISSION?

I’m talking about them opting into your email list. Which is simply a list of names and email addresses of people who are interested in what you’re offering, and have agreed that in the future you can email them directly about your products and services.

WHY SHOULD YOU HAVE AN EMAIL LIST?

When someone signs up for your list they are giving you an open invitation into their email Inbox (that lovely permission I was mentioning).

Let’s face it, they will check their emails more than they will check your website…regardless of how shiny and new it is.

So, that’s reason number 1 to start a list…here’s some more:

So you can build a relationship with them (by providing honest value to them).
So you can remind them of your great services and products.
So you can target information to them specifically based on their interests and past buying history.
So you can share your great offers, discounts and promotions with them.
So you have quick access to spread the word when you’re launching a new product or service.

HOW DO YOU GET PEOPLE ON YOUR EMAIL LIST?

Ask them to sign up by offering them something relevant/useful/irresistible in exchange for their email address.
Ask for their email address when you provide a service or sell them something.
Teach them something, via an online webinar, that they sign-up to for access.
Always provide a way for people to sign-up online (on your website or social media profiles); or in person (at a live event you’re hosting, at markets you attend, or on your shop counter).

HOW DO YOU KEEP THEM ON YOUR EMAIL LIST?

Great, so you’ve got them on your list, now how do you provide value to them (aka keep them there ;)?

Make the newsletter useful & relevant. (It should predominantly be about them, not you!)
Offer something they can’t get elsewhere, or before it’s available to other people. (Go the extra mile for these people to make them feel like VIPs).
Offer special promotions.
Remember their birthdays or business anniversaries.
Make them feel like they are part of your special insiders group.

WHAT KIND OF THING SHOULD YOU INCLUDE?

Links to useful information (on your site/blog, or on others).
Things that are relevant to your niche or your ideal clients interest (recipes or DIY tutorials).
Special offers (discounts or first dibs).
Seasonal advice (summers on the way you need to…).
Access to tips, resources & useful content they won’t find on your site/blog.

So that’s why you should start a list and a few ideas to get you thinking about what you’ll do with yours.

Ready to GROW your list? Get your free template here >

In future posts we’ll look at some of the excuses you might have for not starting one (we know, we’ve got them too); how to take the next step towards getting yourself a list; and who should be on your list!

Have you got a list for your business? Or have a question or a problem? Holler in the comments below.