Email is an extraordinary digital marketing tool. Why? Because it allows your business to personally connect with potential customers in ways that no other marketing channel can.
But how do you collect email addresses that you can use to stay in touch with existing customers and generate new leads?
Let’s look at 6 effective and easy ways to collect email addresses so you can build a valuable list of leads.
1. Offer an Enticing Lead Magnet
A lead magnet is also known as a “carrot” or an opt-in offer. It’s anything you offer your audience in exchange for their email address. A lead magnet is one of the most popular and powerful techniques to collect emails for an email marketing campaign.
Here are a few examples of different kinds of lead magnets:
- E-books
- Templates
- Free Trials
- Videos
- Checklists
- Analysis Reports
- Spreadsheets
2. Use Facebook Ads
One of the most popular tools used to collect emails for email marketing is Facebook Ads. Why? Here are a few reasons:
- You can easily and reliably reach your target customers.
- Facebook Ads are relatively inexpensive.
- You see results quickly.
The biggest challenge for many small businesses is reaching people. When you need to generate sales quickly but can’t spend a lot of money, there aren’t many advertising options. Facebook Ads offer a simple, effective, and fast way to target potential customers.
Here’s how it works:
- Create valuable content that solves a problem for your target audience.
- Use a Facebook Ad that links to a landing page where customers provide their email addresses.
- Once you have their email, send them the promised content and connect them with your products/services.
3. Compile Emails with Custom Email Opt-in Pop-ups
If you already have a sign-up form on your website, you may think you don’t need this - but how easy is it to find your form? Email opt-in pop-ups are effective because you can’t miss them!
Pop-ups are similar to the lead magnet – you ask website visitors for their email address in exchange for an e-book or other helpful tips.
The average pop-up form has a 3.1% conversion rate. Even though pop-ups are effective, they can also be annoying. To make them less annoying, trigger pop-ups:
- after 30 seconds, instead of immediately
- after 50% scroll, so people only see them after they’ve read half of the content
- based on exit intent
4. Share Your Link on Social Media Platforms Via Compelling Visuals or Content
Social media can be a powerful tool for business promotion. And it can even be used to collect emails for email marketing campaigns. But compared to other channels (like organic search, online communities, or guest posts in someone else’s newsletter), the opportunity to collect emails from social media is much smaller.
What is social media excellent for?
- Connecting with people you wouldn’t find through other channels
- Asking questions of a targeted and diverse audience
- Engaging in compelling conversations which can lead to connections
What doesn’t work on social media? When you share links to your own content without giving people a reason to click on them. If you want opt-ins from social media, you first need to engage in interesting conversations.
So, how can you participate in these conversations?
- Join social groups on Facebook and LinkedIn related to your industry/niche.
- Occasionally share your content in those groups.
- Pose a question or start a conversation on a trending topic.
5. Add a Link to Your Sign-Up Form in Your Email Signature
This one requires almost no work. It may not get you hundreds of email subscribers overnight, but it’s so simple there’s no reason not to do it.
You have an opportunity to promote your content every time you send an email – just add it to your email signature. Include a call to action in your email signature and link to your newsletter or another great piece of content.
6. Ask for Email Addresses
You’re probably familiar with the quote, “You don’t get what you don’t ask for.” It applies to many situations – including this one!
Your website visitors are there because they’re interested in your services, products, or content. It’s ok to require an email when someone makes a purchase or request an email to continue reading an informative article. These are great ways to naturally get a list of email addresses correlated to your customers.
Don’t be nervous about asking for email addresses. You aren’t forcing anyone to sign up, and they can always unsubscribe later.
Bottom Line
There are other ways to collect email addresses for your email marketing campaigns, but the above methods are effective, easy, and don’t require a lot of time. Once you receive email addresses, stay in contact with your audience. Send them newsletters, share new blogs, promote special offers and discounts, and thank them personally for their business.
You’ll find a quick refresher on email compliance here.
Contact us today and let us help you create an email marketing campaign that makes an impact!