Blog Post

8 Creative Ways for Small Businesses to Grow Their Email List

Rick Neuman • Oct 07, 2022

Every small business needs to have an email list - it’s one of the most valuable assets you can develop in today’s largely digital world. 


Having a list of people you can send information to regarding product launches, sales, and service reminders will give you a big boost to your business.


But you need people to opt-in to receive emails; you can’t just add someone to your email list without their consent. 


The following strategies will help you grow your list. 



Make It Easy to Sign Up

Start by ensuring that it is as easy as possible for people to sign up for your email list. Asking for someone’s first name helps with personalization, but your list will grow more quickly if you get rid of this field. You will have to decide whether that is worth it for you. The bottom line is that the less information you ask for, the quicker your list will grow. 


No matter what information you ask for, make sure that your email signup list is in an obvious location on your website. And reduce the number of clicks people have to make to get the signup. 

Invite on Social Media


Take advantage of your presence on social media platforms to occasionally remind people to subscribe. Include a link to do so in your bio on your social media profile pages. Then, every once in a while, create a post encouraging subscriptions. 

Pitch the Newsletter

Whether you promote your email list on social media, your website, or somewhere else, consider pitching the newsletter directly. Of course, you first have to create a newsletter that is relevant to your audience for this to work. For example, a clothing store could offer a weekly or monthly style guide. Or, if you provide a service, you can offer a regular newsletter with industry insights. 


Use QR Codes to Get Signups

Speaking of making it easy to sign up for your email list, consider creating a QR code that will take users right to the signup page. Then, place this in physical locations in your store and on your physical advertisements. Add them to the bottom of your receipts. You could even put one on your website, but these are more effective in the real world. 

Offer an Incentive

A classic method of gathering emails is offering some sort of incentive. Depending on your business, this can be a discount code on the next purchase or a free item with the next purchase. Or maybe it will be a free trial of your service. 


Or you can offer something educational and useful, such as an e-book. For example, if you are a realtor, consider writing an e-book about tips for buying or selling homes. 


Host an Event – And Ask for Email Addresses

A related idea is to host a webinar or in-person event and ask for emails as part of the registration process. Just make sure to make the process of opting in clear. You don’t want to fall into legal trouble. (This can be as simple as adding an appropriate checkbox.) 


Thank New Subscribers Right Away 

Part of building your email list means not losing the subscribers that you have already gained. One way to do this is to engage with new subscribers immediately. This can be as simple as a thank-you page after they sign up. Or sending a welcome email. This is also a great time to throw in those discount codes, e-books, or other incentives mentioned before. 


Let Users Control the Content They Receive

Another way to reduce the number of people who unsubscribe is to increase the chances that they receive the content they want. Start by making sure you always offer high-quality, relevant content in the messages you send. 


But consider taking this to the next level and giving your subscribers options. You can offer emails at various frequency intervals or give them the option to only receive certain types of emails. For example, maybe they don’t want to receive your weekly product round-up but do want to know about discounts or new products. 


Conclusion

With the above tips in mind, you should notice your email list growing and your unsubscribes dropping. Now, you have to focus on creating an effective email marketing strategy. 


Content created for Digital Harvest Marketing

Are you looking for help navigating the ever complicated digital marketing space? We can help!

BOOK A CALL

The Harvest

By Rick Neuman 18 Sep, 2023
In today's digital age, having an online presence isn't merely an option—it's a pivotal driver of success. At Digital Harvest Marketing, we pride ourselves on creating not just websites but immersive digital journeys that fortify brand identity and catalyze growth. Here's why businesses, big or small, trust us with their digital aspirations:
By Rick Neuman 11 Sep, 2023
The home services industry, whether it's landscaping, plumbing, or interior designing, thrives largely on trust and reliability. And in today's digital age, a substantial chunk of that trust is established through an effective online presence. Let's delve into the pivotal elements that make a home services website not just informative but also a powerful tool for conversion.
By Rick Neuman 06 Sep, 2023
The modern culinary world isn't just about delightful dishes and exquisite drinks; it's also about offering a digital experience that matches. With the rise of online ordering, reservations, and digital payments, a strong online presence for the food & beverage industry has become more critical than ever. Let's dive deep into the essential features and benefits of a website tailored for the food & beverage sector.  1. Mouthwatering Design First impressions count. A clean, appetizing design can convey the atmosphere of your restaurant, cafe, or bar. High-quality images of dishes, drinks, and your establishment can instantly attract and entice visitors. 2. Online Ordering Made Easy Today's consumers cherish convenience. Integrating an easy-to-use online ordering system allows your customers to enjoy your culinary offerings from the comfort of their homes. This not only broadens your reach but can significantly boost revenue. 3. Safe & Secure Credit Card Processing In a world increasingly moving towards cashless transactions, offering diverse credit card processing options is crucial. Ensure your website integrates with reliable payment gateways, prioritizing the safety of your customer's data.
By Rick Neuman 01 Sep, 2023
The digital realm is the frontline for any business's first impression. While there are numerous companies offering web development services, it's essential to partner with one that understands your business's unique needs and can translate that into a powerful online presence. Here's why businesses consistently choose Digital Harvest Marketing for their web development projects. 1. Bespoke Designs Tailored to Your Brand At Digital Harvest Marketing, we believe in the power of individuality. We don’t employ cookie-cutter templates; instead, we delve deep into your brand's ethos, ensuring every design choice mirrors your company’s identity and goals. 2. Experience & Expertise Our team comprises seasoned professionals with years of experience across various industry verticals. This expertise allows us to cater to the diverse needs of our clientele, be it e-commerce, B2B, non-profit, or any other niche.
By Rick Neuman 17 Aug, 2023
In the digital age, online reviews can make or break a restaurant's reputation. For restaurant owners and operators, managing Google reviews might feel like a full-time job. Crafting personalized responses to every review, staying on top of new ones, and tactfully addressing any negative feedback can be overwhelming and highly time-consuming. What if there was a solution that could handle all this while you focus on what you do best - creating unforgettable dining experiences? Enter ReviewReplyGPT. Revolutionizing Google Reviews Management ReviewReplyGPT is a groundbreaking AI-powered platform designed to automate the process of managing your Google reviews. Here's what it offers: Automated Review Responses The first, and perhaps the most significant, feature of ReviewReplyGPT is its ability to generate professional, tailored responses to all your reviews. No more spending countless hours figuring out how to respond to each review. Instead, you can let the AI do the heavy lifting and free up your time to focus on other aspects of your restaurant business.
By Rick Neuman 31 Jul, 2023
Discover free digital marketing tools for small businesses. Use Google Analytics to track website activity and demographics. Leverage Canva for eye-catching graphics. Utilize Mailchimp for email marketing and social media coordination.
By Rick Neuman 24 Jul, 2023
Learn how to grow your Instagram following organically. Optimize your profile, create a content calendar, post relevant content, engage your audience, collaborate with influencers, and share your Instagram everywhere.
By Rick Neuman 19 Jul, 2023
Avoid common TikTok marketing mistakes and maximize your business's presence. Create engaging videos, use music effectively, avoid sales-driven approaches, and leverage the platform's editing tools.
By Rick Neuman 13 Apr, 2023
Email marketing is a crucial part of running any business today. Let us help you write that email that achieves a good conversion rate. Here are our most important tips.
By Chet Mitchell 07 Apr, 2023
Link building is still important for SEO in 2023 but there needs to be a change in the way this important SEO initiative is done to extract the maximum value from it.
More Posts
Share by: