subject: 4 Common Tactics for Successful List Building [print this page] 4 Common Tactics for Successful List Building
Building an email list can be approached many different ways. Some will require more effort and cost more than others, while the quality and number of email addresses will differ depending on the methods used. However, you can be sure that some level of work along with patience will be needed when building your list.
There is no shortage of list building suggestions. You'll even find those who claim to be able to build a list for you in 24 to 48 hours. You should be wary of such services, as they will likely provide you with leads that are not worthwhile. So, although the way to build your list may depend on your particular business, following are 4 common tactics for successful list building.
Tactic #1 Using a Free Newsletter
Offering a newsletter is a common and simple way to building your e-mail list. Customers provide you with their email address in order to receive your free newsletter. Note that you will need meaningful, valuable content to obtain and retain subscribers. People will quickly unsubscribe from newsletters that do not offer any value to them. To attract subscribers, try offering a sample or past newsletter so they know the kind of content to expect.
Another tactic to attract subscribers is to give away a downloadable product when they sign up for your newsletter. Good incentives such as high quality e-books or free reports often entice people to sign up. Other original freebies relevant to your business should also work.
Tactic #2 Join Discussion Forums
Become an active networker in forums related to your business. Doing so could establish you as a subject matter expert and persuade people to subscribe to your e-mail list. This approach requires consistency to establish credibility. You will need to post useful information that is pertinent and even interesting.
Forums are not the place for sales pitches. Based on the value of your posts, forum members and readers will decide whether or not to follow your links, so save the hard sell and keep it informative.
Tactic #3 Write Useful Articles
Writing high quality articles is another great way to build your reputation as a subject matter expert and gain e-mail list subscribers. You can include a link to your webpage with the opt-in form and submit your articles to directories and e-zines. If you provide good and informative articles, people will read it and follow your link. Those looking for good content will even add it to their website bringing you the added, and sometimes primary, benefit of backlinks and traffic to your website.
Tactic #4 Write an e-book
Writing an e-book may sound like a lot of work, but you can often find various ways to simply the process. For example, you may be able to put together an e-book based on the content you've already provided via your newsletter. You can also turn a number of tips related to your particular business into a valuable e-book. Add links to your webpage and opt-in forms within the e-book, and once complete, you can give it away as an incentive for signing up to your e-mail list
There are numerous ways to build an email list and these are just 4 tactics that are commonly used. Be consistent in the approach you choose and you will soon see your e-mail list grow.
