Broadcast online marketing blog

You’re Only As Good as Your List

Before you send out your next email marketing campaign, consider some non-traditional sources to collect new email addresses. Think about where your customer interaction is strongest and reach out there to make contact and build your email list. That may mean collecting email addresses at conferences, or retail checkout, using social media, or converting snail mail recipients to email opt-ins. Your bigger, better email list might be a smart phone app away.

1- During Face-to-Face Interactions

It makes sense that you want to capitalize on a marketing relationship when that relationship begins or strengthens. So, go ahead and ask for email addresses during those types of interactions:

• During in-store checkout

• Conference registration or badge pick-up

• Meetings

• Networking events

If you are at a conference or meeting, chances are you have your smart phone (iPhone, Blackberry, Android, etc.) and maybe even an iPad by your side. Prepare a strategy for collecting addresses through those devices- either through a mobile web page or other app.

2- On your Social Sites

 

Put opt-in forms on all your social media pages that allow it, such as:

• Company blog

• Facebook page

In social media environments that don’t allow for opt-in forms, place a link to your opt-in page with a benefit statement that drives your visitors to it.

3- In your Email Signature

Every time you send an email from your personal account you have the ability to initiate an opt-in. Place links to your web site, social channels or a link directly to the opt-in on your web site.  Consider asking for the opt-in in your signature.  A simple “Sign up here for special offers” may be all it takes.

4- Twitter

Before you send your newsletter, announce it on Twitter and remind followers to sign up. Tweets saying that the newsletter will be sent tomorrow with an email-only offer will likely drive interested traffic to your opt-in form.

5- Snail Mail

If you have your contacts’ mailing addresses but not their email addresses, consider sending them a postcard with a redeemable online offer or entry in a web-based sweepstakes. On the web page, collect the recipients name, email address and any other usable information. If you want to get more mileage out of the offer, have social sharing options on the site where the recipient can share with their friends through email or the social media channel of their choice.

6- Use Your Brand Evangelists

Maximize the value of your best relationships. Consider having your audience grow your lists for you— and don’t be afraid to ask them to do so. Make elements on your site or email newsletter shareable (via forwarding, Twitter, Facebook, etc.) thereby driving traffic to your opt-in form pages and growing your audience. Remember, over 80% of American Internet users access at least one social media channel, and allowing recipients to share email content with their network boosts email campaign results—and helps grow your list.

To spread the word via social media channels and email, you may want to consider Group Transmit. This is a unique social/email platform that enables your core audience to spread the word about a brand, product or service quickly and easily.

The Permission Caveat

Don’t harvest email addresses and never add people to your email lists without their express permission. So, once you collect emails you still need to get permission prior to including them in your email campaign lists. Make sure you get this either via a web opt-in or a written consent from your contacts.

What other non-traditional methods have worked for you?

Would you like to receive our email newsletters?  Please opt-in at masstransmit.com or emailtransmit.com or on our Facebook page.

Tags: blog, data collection, email signature, Facebook, opt-in, permission, twitter

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