Building an email list from scratch can seem daunting, but it’s one of the best things you can do for your business. Email marketing allows you to keep in touch with potential customers, create trust, and drive sales in the long run. Here’s how to begin building your list the correct way.
1. Create a Valuable Offer
People won’t share their email with you simply because you ask. You have to provide something valuable in exchange. This can be:
- A discount or promo code
- A free ebook or guide
- A checklist or cheat sheet
- Access to a webinar or free course
This is known as a “lead magnet.” It needs to fix a tiny problem or provide useful information.
2. Utilize Sign-Up Forms
Put sign-up forms in front of people where they can see them, like:
- On your home page
- At the bottom of blog posts
- As a pop-up on your site
- In your site’s sidebar or footer
Ensure the form is minimal. Collect only what you require—generally, name and email.
3. Build a Landing Page
A landing page is a single-page site with a single objective—to get people to sign up. It should contain:
- A brief headline
- Some advantages of signing up
- A prominent call-to-action (e.g. “Get My Free Guide”)
- A form to capture emails
Share the landing page link on social media, in your bio, or ads.
4. Promote Your Sign-Up Offer
Now that you have your offer and form set up, begin letting people know:
- Share it on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
- Add a link to your YouTube or podcast descriptions
- Include it in your email signature
- Run low-cost ads to pull in your target audience
5. Use Email Marketing Software
Applications such as Mailchimp, Convert it, or Mail Lite allow you to store emails and send out messages. They also keep you in order and abide by laws such as GDPR and CAN-SPAM.
6. Deliver What You Promised
Once someone has subscribed, send a welcome message with the free product you promised. This initial message will set the tone—you want to come across as friendly, helpful, and clear about what the person will get.
Final Thoughts
Creating an email list is not immediate, but consistency and giving value are what will do it. Don’t purchase email lists—it’s smarter to build one of actual human beings who desire to hear from you.