Email marketing remains one of the most effective digital marketing strategies, offering high return on investment (ROI) and enabling direct, personalized communication with customers. In fact, 77% of marketers reported a surge in email engagement over the past year.
Know what this means? Higher chances of conversions for your business.
Start winning email campaigns this 2024 with the email list of your dreams. Read on and learn effective tips and tricks to grow your email list and attract leads and sales to your business.
What’s an email list and why do you need one
Email is a crucial tool in digital marketing, enabling businesses to reach out to potential and existing customers with tailored content. But first, you’ll need an email list to launch your campaign.
An email list is a collection of email addresses that a business gathers from visitors or potential customers who have shown interest in their products or services. These addresses are used to send out promotional materials, newsletters, updates, and other forms of communication.
So, whether you want to boost your email marketing strategy, engage your audience, or share updates, you’ll be able to do so without hassle.
There are plenty of reasons you need an email list, and a healthy one at that. This means every single contact in your list actively opts in and is interested in your content.
A healthy email list allows for targeted marketing, giving you higher chances of conversions and repeat business. It also makes a cost-effective tool for building lasting customer relationships, gathering feedback, and driving repeat business, ultimately contributing to a business’s overall growth and success.
14 email marketing strategies to grow your email list this 2024
1. Choosing the right email marketing platforms
An email marketing platform is a software tool that allows businesses to design, send, track, and optimize email marketing campaigns. It provides features like email templates, list segmentation, automation, and analytics, which are essential for efficient and effective email marketing.
Using a platform simplifies managing large email lists, ensures compliance with spam regulations, and offers insights into campaign performance. This helps businesses to better engage their audience, increase conversions, and measure the impact of their email marketing efforts, making it a critical tool in modern digital marketing strategies.
Don’t know where to start? Here are some of the most popular tools for general email marketing:
- Mailchimp. This popular platform is known for its user-friendly interface and wide range of features, including automation, templates, and A/B testing. It offers a free plan for small businesses and paid plans with more features and higher sending limits.
- Constant Contact. Another well-established platform with a strong focus on ease of use. It offers drag-and-drop email-building tools, email automation, and reporting features. It’s a good option for businesses with a smaller budget.
- GetResponse. This platform is known for its powerful automation features and advanced reporting tools. It’s a good option for businesses that want to automate their email marketing campaign and track their results closely.
For specific niches, especially eCommerce, here are some of the top platforms you can try:
- Klaviyo. This platform is specifically designed for eCommerce businesses. It integrates seamlessly with popular eCommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce and offers features like abandoned cart emails and product recommendations.
- Omnisend. This platform is designed specifically for eCommerce businesses that sell on multiple digital marketing channels. It offers features like multi-channel marketing, abandoned cart emails, and product recommendations.
- HubSpot Email Marketing. This platform is a good option for businesses that already use HubSpot’s CRM or marketing automation software. It integrates seamlessly with these tools and offers features like email automation and lead scoring.
2. Crafting high-converting email opt-in forms
Want people to sign up? Level up your opt-in forms.
An email opt-in form is a digital form used to capture a visitor’s email address and consent for email marketing. Typically placed on websites, blogs, or during the checkout process, it asks users to subscribe to newsletters, updates, or promotional emails. The form often includes fields for entering an email address and sometimes other information like a name.
It’s essential for building an email list, ensuring you’re sending only to individuals who have explicitly shown interest in receiving them. At the same time, you’re adhering to privacy and anti-spam regulations.
How do you create an opt-in form that works? Start with these tips:
- Clear Value Proposition. Clearly communicate what the subscriber will receive, like exclusive content, discounts, or updates.
- Simplicity. Keep the form simple with minimal fields – usually just an email address.
- Compelling Call-to-Action (CTA). Use an engaging CTA that prompts action, like “Subscribe Now” or “Get Free Updates.”
- Attractive Design. Ensure the form’s design is visually appealing and aligns with your brand.
- Strategic Placement. Position the form prominently on your website, such as in the header, footer, or as a pop-up (more on this later!).
3. Create a high-converting landing page
Aside from your homepage, effective email capture landing pages are effective at building a strong subscriber base and driving marketing success. You can also share these specific landing pages in your paid ads to boost their performance.
But, how do you create a landing page that wins sign-ups? Consider these two elements when crafting your page:
Minimalism and simplicity
- Clean design. Uncluttered layouts with ample white space and clear navigation guide visitors towards the desired action.
- Large, bold fonts. Easy-to-read headlines and CTAs grab attention and communicate value propositions effectively.
- High-quality visuals. Relevant images and videos enhance understanding and create a positive brand impression.
Urgency and scarcity
- Limited-time offers. Creating a sense of urgency with countdown timers or limited availability encourages prompt action.
- Exclusive deals and early access. Offering special benefits for early signups incentivizes immediate conversions.
- Limited quantity discounts. Scarcity tactics highlight the perceived value of the offer and encourage immediate action.
4. Incentivize email signups
Companies offering lead magnets in exchange for email sign-ups experience a 50% increase in sign-up rates. This translates to a $532 return on investment (ROI) for every $1 spent on lead magnets.
In exchange for their emails, consider treating your audience to special offers, such as:
- Exclusive content like unique blogs, videos, or webinars
- Discounts and coupons for first-time email subscribers
- Free downloads on eBooks, guides, or whitepapers
- Entry into contests or giveaways
- Early access to new products or services
- Free trials for services or products
5. Experiment with pop-ups
Pop-ups are small windows that appear on a website, usually offering something of value in exchange for the visitor’s email address. They help grow your email list by capturing the attention of engaged visitors and presenting them with an immediate opportunity to sign up or claim an incentive.
This method can significantly increase the number of email subscribers by leveraging existing website traffic.
Different types of pop-ups you can incorporate into your email marketing strategy include:
- Exit-Intent Pop-Ups. Appear when a visitor is about to leave the site.
- Timed Pop-Ups. Show up after a visitor spends a specific time on the site.
- Scroll Pop-Ups. Trigger when a visitor scrolls to a certain point.
- Welcome Mats. Full-screen pop-ups that appear when a visitor first arrives.
- Floating Bars. Persistent bars at the top or bottom of the page.
- Content Upgrade Pop-Ups. Offer additional content related to what the user is reading.
6. Leverage social media
Social media platforms offer various tools to promote sign-up incentives and direct followers to your email subscription page. With billions of social media users, it makes sense to use these platforms to build your email list, which can be a more direct and personalized way to engage with your audience.
Plus, social media can amplify the reach of your email marketing campaign, attracting potential email subscribers who may not have encountered your brand through other channels.
You may want to run targeted social media ads that lead to a sign-up page. Or you can also host giveaways or contests that require email entry. There are plenty of ways to use social media to your advantage.
7. Run contests
Encourage sign-ups by running contests that appeal to your target audience. When creating the mechanics, make email entry a part of the participation process.
Promote the contest across various channels, ensuring it’s easy to enter and the prize is desirable. Use social media, your website, and existing email lists to spread the word.
After the contest, engage new subscribers with welcome emails and relevant content to retain them. This method effectively captures the interest of potential subscribers and converts it into email sign-ups.
8. Run seasonal email campaigns
Seasonal campaigns are marketing efforts tailored to specific times of the year, usually coinciding with holidays, seasons, or significant events. There’s often a boost in consumer interest and spending during these periods, so don’t miss out on the opportunity!
Create themed campaigns around these holidays and include special promotions, content, or products relevant to the season. By aligning marketing messages with the mood and activities of the target audience during these times, businesses can effectively boost engagement, sales, and customer loyalty.
9. Launch a referral program
Referrals are like hitting two birds with one stone. You get a subscriber by enticing them with a freebie and you get another subscriber in exchange.
To use referral programs to grow your email list, implement a system where current subscribers can refer friends or colleagues in exchange for rewards. This could be discounts, free products, exclusive content, or other incentives.
Ensure the referral process is simple and the rewards are appealing. Promote the program through your email campaigns and on your website. Such programs leverage the trust and networks of your existing subscribers to reach new audiences, expanding your email list with engaged individuals.
10. Use interactive elements
Engage your audience with fun, exciting ways to collect email addresses! Launch an interactive email with engaging quizzes or games. Then, include a step where participants submit their email addresses to see the results or receive related content.
This approach not only captures the interest of potential subscribers through fun activities but also provides valuable insights into their preferences, which you can use for targeted marketing.
A successful example is Sephora’s “Beauty Quiz.” Customers complete a quiz about their beauty preferences, and at the end, they are prompted to provide their email addresses to receive personalized product recommendations.
This not only encourages sign-ups but also allows Sephora to tailor its email marketing efforts to individual customer needs, increasing engagement and sales. This strategy effectively combines interactive content with a clear value proposition for the customer.
11. Run paid ads
Unlike organic methods, paid ads provide immediate visibility and scalability, allowing you to grow your list at a faster rate and with more precision in targeting. This makes it a powerful tool for businesses looking to expand their reach and build their email list efficiently.
Run paid ads on platforms like Google, Facebook, or Instagram. You can direct these ads to a landing page with an email sign-up form, offering an incentive like a free guide or discount for subscribing.
Ensure the ad copy and visuals are compelling and the landing page is optimized for conversions. This way, you reach a broader audience outside your current network, driving targeted traffic to your website and increasing email sign-ups.
12. Complement with SMS marketing
SMS marketing offers a more immediate and personal way to reach your audience, often with higher open and response rates than email. By using both channels, you can diversify your marketing strategies, catering to different preferences of your audience.
While email is great for detailed content, SMS can be used for timely alerts, reminders, or exclusive offers. This integrated approach ensures you get broader coverage and engagement, boosting your overall email marketing effectiveness.
13. Utilize the 404 page
For users, landing on a 404 page can be a bummer. But for the site owners and email marketers, it can be a good opportunity to collect email addresses!
To use your 404 page for email collection, redesign it to be engaging. Include an email sign-up form in your messaging.
For a tech blog, your 404 page copy can go like this:
“Oops! Looks like this page is in the cloud.
While we retrieve it, don’t miss out on the latest in tech! Fill out the form to stay updated with cutting-edge insights, tutorials, and exclusive content straight to your inbox.”
Offer something of value, like a discount code or free content, as an incentive for visitors to subscribe. This turns the potential frustration of a 404 error into an opportunity to connect with your audience and grow your email list.
14. Expand your email marketing campaigns offline
While everything is digital these days, email marketers can still leverage plenty of offline opportunities. You’ll be surprised at how many still utilize business cards when contacting or transacting with a business.
Use these offline methods to acquire potential leads and subscribers:
- Events and Conferences. Collect emails through sign-up sheets or during registration.
- In-Store Sign-Ups: Encourage customers to leave their email at the point of sale or through in-store promotions.
- Networking Events: Exchange business cards and ask for permission to add contacts to your email list.
- Print Marketing: Include a QR code or URL in print materials that leads to an email sign-up page.
- Feedback Forms: Use customer feedback forms to request email addresses for follow-up communications.
You may have to manually add the emails you’ve collected through the above methods. But if it helps grow your email list — and profit potential — then it’s all worth it.
Run a successful email marketing strategy today!
Forming a healthy email list does not happen overnight. It requires persistent effort and a ton of trial and error to know which methods work best for your business’s needs and target audience. If you’re still getting started, include the above tips in your email marketing efforts. It won’t be long until you see stellar results!
To help boost your online journey, partner with a reliable online solutions provider like Web.com. From acquiring a professional email to supercharging your email marketing with SEO, we have everything you need for online success.
