11 Ways to Build Your list of Subscribers

Building a list is getting harder. People are less likely to provide their contact details unless there is a darn good reason to do so. So, no matter how you collect contact details, you need to craft a good offer. Once you’ve done that its your job to let people know about it.  Here’s a list of 11 ways you can do that….

1. You’ve got an opt in form on your website, right? If not, your website is wasting its real value to you. Have a form where people can sign up :
   • to get a free report or other item
   • to receive product or service updates
   • to subscribe to your newsletter (make it worth their while and really sell what they’ll get
   • or some other reason for them to give their details for you
2. Your existing list of contacts – you keep in touch with them don’t you? Family, friends, colleagues, people with who you have a personal relationship need to be in a mailing list of some sort. Let them know what you are up to and what you can offer. Maybe they are not interested … but they may know someone who is.
3. If you have a shopfront or you visit people, do you have a spot where they can sign up for what you offer?
4. You can run guessing competitions (just check the laws governing this as it can get messy!) Generate interest, get people entering and announce the winners so they know it was real.
5. I’m on the list for a women’s fashion retailer and I get regular offers and incentives from them – special opening nights for subscribers only, up to 50% off deals to subscibers only etc. What can you offer for a ‘private list’ clientele?
6. Check you advertising and promotional material – does it have a call to action to visit your website or email address for them to subscribe?
7. Your business cards are promotional material, too. Have you got your website on there and any special signup opportunities or offers?
8. If you get to attend or participate in conferences and trade shows, there’s a great opportunity to offer a special ‘show only’ deal to get people to sign up
9. Run a short seminar in your area of expertise – banks do this all the time – and have people sign-up for notices about future seminars, discounted rates, and special offers.
10. What does your email signature say – does it have an offer to subscribe?
11. Do you ever participate in forums or on social networks – include your subscription information in your virtual world

Actually, there has to be a 12th way. Can you think of one more? Hit the comment box and let me know!