A few weeks ago, I asked my email list to write down their #1 question about online marketing.  To my surprise, the most commonly asked questions were about email marketing, not social media. Specifically, my email readers were interested in how to grow their email lists.

Today, I’m going to answer that question by sharing the three awesome list-building tactics that I use in my business.

But before I dive in, I want to stress that building your email list is all about exchanging value with your potential clients.  The more value you can present up front, the better the chance that they’ll give you their email address. 

 

Awesome Tactic #1 – Compelling Opt-Ins

The first place to begin building your email list is on your website.  Statistics show that people have to see your website (or any other marketing message) up to 20 times before they decide to make a purchase.  What are the odds that your first-time website visitor will come back 20 times before they decide to work with you?

Truthfully, your odds of winning the lottery are better.  Unless, of course, you can capture your potential clients’ email address.  That way, you can continue the conversation until your potential clients are ready to work with you.

So how do you capture their email address?  You create a compelling offer. This is called an “opt-in” or “email opt-in” and is often on the right side of your website.  Your opt-in can be anything: a free video training, an eBook, or a resource guide. 

The key to a great opt-in is to offer your potential clients something so awesomely free that it’s a no-brainer to sign up for your email list.

 

Awesome Tactic #2 – Guest Posting

Guest posting is the act of writing a blog post for someone else’s blog.  If you have your own blog, you know how draining it can be to write new posts week after week. That’s why most established bloggers are delighted to welcome guest posts!

Using this list-building technique has multiple benefits.  First, by choosing bloggers that your prospective clients are reading, you’re introducing yourself to a highly-qualified, brand-new audience.  Second, by writing a catchy author biography at the end of your post, you can invite these brand-new folks back to your website to partake of your killer opt-in.

And third, being published in someone else’s blog will start your collection of “as published in” logos that you see on many websites.  While there is no direct link between these logos and growing your email list, folks will be much more inclined to sign up for your opt-in if they can see proof that other people have found your information valuable.

 

Awesome Tactic #3 – Free Webinars

Free webinars are my personal favorite, but they also require the most work.  And, unlike the other two options, they are not free to host.

But the thing is, they work. They work really, really well. 

They work because people want to know what you’re teaching, and they know that they will have to give you their email address in exchange for a link to the live session or the recording.  Free webinars are essentially email opt-ins on steroids.

The best part about webinars,  however, is that they generate some of the best potential clients.  They’ve gotten to know your teaching style and personality, and how you approach your clients.  They’re much further along the “work with you” pipeline than someone who has read your blog post or signed up for your free opt-in.

 

Final Thoughts

I’ve given you my favorite ways to build my email list, but there are dozens of options out there.  Whatever tactic you choose, keep in mind that building your list is all about value. If you wouldn’t give yourself your email address, chances are that your potential clients won’t either.

 

Action Steps

Leave a comment below and let me know:

• Which of these three tactics you’re going to implement to grow your list

Or

• What tactic(s) you’re using to successfully build your email list

~ Felicity

P.S. If you have a question about online marketing (websites, email lists, Facebook, Twitter, or social media), shoot me an email – I’d love to hear from you!

[hana-code-insert name=’Felicity Fields Author Bio’ /]