As marketers, you know the importance of growing your email list, and we’re often questioned about the increase in new email subscribers after any type of event or marketing initiative. By Aries has touted how crucial it is to segment your email lists, ways to use those lists, and what lists are must haves in your marketing strategy, so we’re all on the same page about using tools like email lists, but…
How Do you Build Your Email List?
It would be wonderful if you could Barbara Eden your marketing campaigns and “I Dream of Jeannie” your new subscribers numbers into the stratosphere, but the reality is that you really have to work to grow your email list.
The good news is that your go-to gurus at By Aries have some great tips to grow your email list fast, and we’re here to share!
While a new blog post or curated content in Facebook ads can drive traffic to your website, you need to give visitors a reason to introduce themselves to you instead of just loitering on your site for a bit. Yes, those potential customers clicking around on your website are important for increasing your online ranking and building exposure to a broader audience, but you want to get to know your visitors and be able to connect with them outside of a clever Facebook ad.
That’s where lead magnets (also know as email opt-ins) come in. A lead magnet is a free (but VALUABLE) item or service that is given away to your website visitors in exchange for their email address.
Every time you’ve signed up for a free trial of a software or online tool, downloaded a white paper, or requested a free consultation, you’ve taken a part in growing someone’s email list through a lead magnet.
How to Grow an Email List Using Opt-In Lead Magnets
“Yes, I’m in!”
“I need to see more. Let me subscribe now!”
Ah, those phrases are music to a marketing department’s ears, and an opt-in is an incredible call to action for customers to join your email list. But how?
Remember how we said an opt-in is something that’s valuable? Value is the operative word here. Nothing in life is free, and that adage is true when your marketing department endeavors to grow your email list.
You already know your audience, so give them what they need, and give it to them for free. That might sound counterintuitive, but it’s not really giving away your valuable IP for free. Your audience is gaining access to primo content in exchange for their email addresses, and parceling out helpful content in exchange for email addresses will pay you back tenfold as your visitors spread the word and get more people to sign up to be on your email list.
So, what are ways to give free content to make that mailing list soar? Let’s look at 3 ways to use an opt-in lead magnet to lengthen that email list.
Quizzes and Checklist that Grow Your List
One example of an opt-in lead magnet is a checklist or quiz. It might sound strange because quizzes and the sort were such a pain in school, but your audience loves to answer questions about their personal arsenal and needs, and they’re likely to run to those sign-up forms to let you know. Challenge them with a teaser of what they should know and test their skills, all in exchange for contact information, of course.
Here are a few examples of quizzes and checklists that our clients have used to help build their lists:
- 9-Step Checklist for Protecting Your Company in a Divorce as a Female Entrepreneur
- Free “Get Out of Jail Quickly” Checklist in Madison County [You’ll want to print this out.]
- Launch a New Company in 24 Days | Free LLC Checklist for Tech Entrepreneurs
- Winning a Will Dispute with Your Siblings – The Ultimate Checklist in Estate Litigation
White Papers & Cheat Sheets that Grow Your List
Another example of a lead magnet opt-in is a white paper or a cheat sheet – an abbreviated version of highlight strategy or ideas that help your audience accomplish a small goal.
You’re the expert in the field, and your audience knows it. Remind them why you are the go-to for their service needs with premium gated content or content that helps them get a quick win faster. Tease this helpful info on social media posts and watch them flock to the email signups to receive. This isn’t only a tactic for digital. You can totally use this incentive in-person at meetings and trade shows.
Bring a copy of some premium content or content the makes your audience’s lives easier, but hold on to it–tell them they can easily have a copy delivered directly to their email inbox by signing up for your list – place a QR code on that collateral so prospective clients can go directly to your landing page to subscribe right then and there.
Here are a few examples of cheat sheets that our clients have used to help build their lists:
- The Best 1-Sheet Study Guide on Becoming a U.S. Citizen | Dual Language
- 1-Sheet Business Plan for New Tech Startups + Legal Considerations for Business Operating in Florida
- Cheat Sheet for Complying with California’s Website Accessibility Laws as an Online Retailer
- HIPAA Compliance Cheat Sheet – What Every Physician’s Assistant Should Know Now
Webinars and Video Training that Grow Your List
A third example of effective lead magnet opt-in is with a video webinar or specialized training. You’re well aware of the popularity of video sharing as a form of marketing your professional services across Facebook and other social media platforms, so use that to your advantage to drive traffic to your website and subscribers to join your email list. Remember, the webinar or free training you tout and gate should be packed with useful information your audience needs, and it should be just enough content for users to click, join, and continue coming back to you for more!
Here are a few examples of some webinars and video training materials that our clients have used to help build their lists:
- Setup a Tech LLC Yesterday | Free Webinar on Getting Started Now
- Free COVID-19 Quarantine Preparedness Webinar for Universities
- Master the Visa Application Process under a Biden Administration as an HR Professional | Free Webinar
That’s it. Easy! You know your business, and tempting your visitors with the goods by creating relevant and valuable content for them will effectively and economically drive traffic to your landing page and grow your email list fast!
Continue to check back in with the digital marketing gurus at By Aries as we continue to share in the coming weeks more tips on how to grow your email list.
