So you've built that website, posted some awesome content, and your even getting comments and questions from readers. But something seems to be missing. Nobody is signing up for your email list.
If this fact doesn't bother you, it should! Because your email list is the single most powerful communication channel for developing a relationship with your site visitors – and for making sales. Once you have an email list working for you, you can stay front-of-mind among your readers and prospective clients, and, if you do a good job, even order up a payday on demand… all from sending out a few messages to your list.
So, if you're not currently building a list, or have been struggling to do it effectively, then I've compiled some pointers to help you get more of your readers to become subscribers:
Tip 1: Make sure you have a sign up form
I know this one is totally obvious, but having worked with my fair share of clients who don't have a form (or its buried somewhere deep within their website), I figured this was a good place to start. You can place opt-in forms on your website's side bar, header, or footer, or even show up via a popup. Many email service providers give you the ability to design your own forms for your site (I'm partial to Aweber and GetResponse), or you can look at using a third-party form or popup builder like GROW or PopupAlly.
Tip 2: Don't forget to ask people to sign up
What's the point of getting someone to your website or blog, unless you can get them to take further action after they've consumed your content. The simplest thing you can do, is include a call-to-action at the end of a post asking your reader to sign up for your list. Something simple like “Be sure to sign up for my free step-by-step guide to…” or “For more tips, insights, and exclusive announcements, subscribe to my free newsletter.”
Tip 3: Create a giveaway to encourage a signup
We all get a TON of email these days, so getting people to join your “monthly newsletter” may not be enough incentive for them to actually subscribe. Instead, create a simple, easy-to-consume, valuable giveaway that will help them solve a problem or teach them how to do something… and, of course, that is relevant to the topic you plan to cover in your follow-up emails.
Tip 4: Promote your email list just like you'd promote a product
Think of your email list as a long-term asset. That means it has even greater value than making a single sale. When you promote your blog posts, which lead to an email list opt-in, people will appreciate the value you are proving, and not think you're only out to sell them something.
This approach can be especially useful when you are promoting pages where you can leverage the engagement of others – such as a Facebook post or blog post. This is known as “social proof.” When your reader sees others engaging with you, they’ll be more likely to want to be part of that, too.
Tip 5: Create and share good stuff
Not only do you want your site visitor to have a great experience, but you want them to feel like they've just discovered something of tremendous value as well. The most effective content should teach, inspire, entertain, and/or help your reader in some way. It's fine to be opinionated or controversial. In fact, that will help weed out the folks who probably aren't a good fit for you in the first place.
Just make sure that you focus on value… and not the sale, which comes down the road, after they've joined your email list.
Bonus Tip: Make a plan
Perhaps the biggest problem we all encounter with list building is lack of strategic planning. I'll readily admit that I've made this mistake myself. In fact, I've come across so many clients who lack a plan that I decided to share a handy training for you. I'd love to send it to you, along with some more helpful hints on growing your business online.
If you'd like a copy, simply click here and let me know where you'd like me to email it to you (see what I just did there?).