Email marketing. Newsletters. Email opt ins. List building.

Do those words make you shudder and wail in desperation:

“I’M NOT ADDING ANOTHER THING TO MY TASK LIST!!”

Hold on a sec. Breathe. Hear me out…

If you have a website, use social media and write a blog, but NOT building a list of subscribers, you’re missing a MASSIVE part of your sales and prospecting puzzle that makes growing your business a whole lot easier.

These are ALL important pieces for building your reputation and attracting clients. I built my first profitable business that way. Without focussing on attracting subscribers.

But without question, how I was able to sustain and grow that business was by regular and consistent email marketing.

It’s now how I generate most of my revenue.

Let’s get clear about what it means to build a list of subscribers…

In broad terms, you regularly send your prospects and customers something of value by email – making their lives a little better – while keeping them informed about your products and services that serve and assist them too.

It also means that you have more control over that communication so that when you have something to offer you can let them know easily leaving them to make a fully informed decision without missing out.

It takes the chance element of them maybe coming across your offer on social media.

Creating list building strategies for my clients is one of my favourite things to do because it’s an area that freaks the bejeezus out of them. When in reality it’s actually pretty simple, doesn’t take a whole lot of effort but reaps big benefits.

This is a HUGE topic (that I LOVE) and there are many different angles to it. Too many to go into here so allow me to give you the basics.

Plus, I’ve included a friendly example script to welcome your new subscribers to your community.

You’re welcome.

Email marketing 101

DO start building your list of subscribers as soon as you can. Practically ALL of my mentors say they wish they’d started sooner (and I feel the same way).

DON’T use your usual email provider – sending bulk messages regularly to your contacts is not only unprofessional and illegal is some countries, it can also get your email address black listed. Eek!

DO use an email marketing system to manage the process for you. MadMimi (affiliate link) is my 100% favourite to get started with. Easy, quick, with brilliant customer support, and they have free/low costs plans.

DON’T add people to your list without asking permission first. It’s the height of bad manners and doesn’t serve them or you.

DO make it easy for people to unsubscribe – an email marketing system like MadMimi makes this very easy. In fact the unsubscribe link is added to your emails automatically so you don’t need to worry about complying with spam rules. Cool or what?

DON’T bury your opt in fields in the hard to reach places of your website. Make them stand out.

DO this.

DON’T use the word NEWSLETTER. EVER. NO-ONE is interested in receiving newsletters! Make your call to action clear and outline the benefit they will get by signing up. In other words, how will receiving your updates change their lives forever? (Make it SO irresistible they can’t do it quick enough).

DO invite people to join your list at every opportunity. Including in person. If they want to receive your updates do the work for them: grab their email address and add them yourself (remember…get permission first).

DON’T abuse your list (as if you would). Once you’ve got permission to email don’t lose their trust by sending useless content or emailing them stuff they don’t need.

Hint: manage their expectations from the beginning by telling them exactly what they will get in your welcome email to them. Here’s an example of the welcome email I send to my new subscribers:

DO think of your email marketing as an exchange of value: their email address for your knowledge and expertise, so make your emails useful.

NEVER EVER buy or sell email addresses. It’s a waste of your money (the people on that list won’t appreciate receiving unsolicited emails from you). Besides, it’s bad karma.

Before you go…

Does the thought of building a list turn your stomach and leave you feeling overwhelmed? Or, are you on your way and seeing the benefits? Spill in the comments below – let’s brainstorm this one out!

And, if you are reading this thinking ‘yea, yea…I don’t see how this applies to my business’. Or, you’ve been there, done that and didn’t get the results you expected. Or, the whole idea gives you a painful brain freeze I would LOVE to help you with that.