Build high-quality email lists for newsletters
Newsletters are an excellent way to reach the right audience. But do you know how to effectively build the best email lists for your newsletters?
Anyone working in marketing and sales knows the value of high-quality email lists when sharing news. However, gathering contacts for such a list takes time, and getting recipients to open the newsletter and actually take action is even more challenging.
Without contacts, your newsletter is nothing. It is the contacts, the recipients, who give the newsletter value – they are its lifeblood. Therefore, they must be well nurtured. Building and maintaining quality email lists is an ongoing task, but the return on investment can be invaluable for your business.
If you think email belongs to the past and you are focusing solely on your website and social media, you might be missing out on a powerful way to engage directly with potential customers.
Embrace GDPR rather than fighting it
You do not build a perfect email list overnight. The GDPR regulation has made gathering contacts more challenging since everyone must actively consent. Unless your customers have agreed to receive emails, you cannot contact them. The benefit is that those who do consent are genuinely interested in what you have to say. Seize this opportunity; it simply requires a bit more strategy and finesse.
Remember that it is better to have a shorter list of engaged recipients than a long list of people who do not even open your emails. Long, poorly maintained email lists can also result in high bounce rates, meaning your emails never reach the inbox.
We prioritize privacy and store all personal data in Norway
Make it easy to subscribe
The first rule of building quality email lists is to make subscribing simple. Ensure that visitors to your website can sign up quickly. Very few people visit a website with the sole purpose of searching for a newsletter signup. You need to present it to them.
Create a pop-up signup form for your website. Many visitors arrive via search, so do not limit this pop-up to just the homepage.
However, avoid annoying your audience: do not show the pop-up every single time someone visits your site. You should also place custom HTML forms on landing pages or other strategic locations, such as the sidebar or the footer.
Explain what value you offer and what recipients can expect to receive when they sign up. Keep your language precise, professional, and engaging. Include a newsletter signup link in your email signature.
Add a simple feature that encourages sharing. A satisfied customer is your best advocate. Make it rewarding for subscribers to refer new contacts.
Offer something in return
When someone shares their email address with you, it is good practice to offer something in return. Give potential customers a welcome offer, a discount on their purchase for subscribing, or a giveaway that offers real value rather than just branded merchandise. Holidays like Christmas or Easter are excellent opportunities for running campaigns.
An advent calendar can generate brand awareness, build reputation, and attract valuable contacts. Do not let GDPR stop you from inspiring and entertaining your audience with a campaign.
Don't overlook the checkout process
When a customer is ready to buy a product or service, you have already succeeded in getting them to the checkout. Do not stop there; this is your direct route to engaging their interest in future products.
Remind them to sign up for your newsletter before completing their purchase using a simple checkbox. You can do the same in physical stores – the only difference is that the sales representative asks instead of using a checkbox.
Automation ensures quality customer care
Once a new contact has shared their email address, it is time for automated follow-up. This automation is invaluable for nurturing the relationship.
This could be a warm welcome email, a reminder about a special event, an exclusive offer for contacts who have used your services, or perhaps a birthday greeting or discount. The opportunities are vast, and automation makes it simple to fully leverage them. In Make, you can easily build automated workflows.
Streamline your efforts with Facebook Lead Ads
Facebook Lead Ads make it possible to target ads directly to potential customers in a simple, tailored way.
How to use Facebook Lead Ads to build contact lists in Make
Lead Ads make it easier to gain subscribers because the forms require minimal effort to fill out. Filling out forms on mobile phones can be tedious, but Lead Ads solve this by integrating forms directly into the ad. When someone clicks on a Lead Ad, a form automatically opens with their contact details already filled in based on the information they have shared on Facebook, such as their email address, name, or location.
Focus on high-quality content
Finally, remember that nothing beats high-quality content. Consistently creating relevant and strong content can be time-consuming, but it pays off. If your audience discovers that you provide valuable insights and information, they are far more likely to want to hear from you again.