By Tanyika Rai

Email marketing is one of the best marketing strategies out there. No matter what kind of business you have, it’s always great to have an email list. It can help you convert subscribers into customers and helps you build relationships with them. You can also promote your business and advertise your products 

Honestly speaking, if you don’t have an email list already you’re probably not doing it right. But don’t worry! I’m here to help with these quick and simple steps to start your very own email list. 

Step 1 : Select an email marketing provider

First rule of business, if you’re going to set up an email list, you need to have an email marketing provider. You simply cannot just use your Gmail account. 

Yow will probably be breaking email marketing laws if you just use your Gmail and it’s not the smartest thing to do when you’re building your email list.

There are tons of options out there, so do some research and find an email marketing provider that suits you and set up your account with the chosen e-mail marketing platform.

Step 2 : Create an opt-in form on your website 

If you want people to be able to sign up to your email list through your website then you’re in need of an opt-in pop up form. A pop up form will provide your website visitors with a convenient way to subscribe to your email list and it will serve as a great tool for audience growth. It’s also a great way to share contact information. 

Make sure to keep the description in your opt-in form short but sweet and engaging. You could choose an attractive headline or even a relevant tagline.

Step 3 : Marketing Campaigns 

Now this can be an optional step. If you would like to advertise your email list, maybe on your social media platforms, you can totally do it and it is a great way to grow your email list. 

You can promote your email list on whatever platforms you use by describing in a couple of words what content your email list will have. Link the opt-in form to sign up in your linktree or bio (whatever is accessible to your followers) or using any other CTA – Call to action.

Step 4: Welcome Email

Now that you have people signing up to your email list, you need to welcome them and the best way to do so is a welcome mail!

Most email marketing softwares have the option to send out a welcome mail that you can customize to your liking and will go out as soon as someone signs up for your email list. 

First impressions matter, so make sure that your welcome mail is a little personal and overall friendly. It should make your subscribers want to remain subscribed and pique their interest.  Put in a little effort, thank them for subscribing, inform them of what they can expect in these mails and add a special little treat or freebie.

Step 5 : Content Plan 

Finally, plan out the content that you will share through your email list. First brainstorm and think of what you want to have in the emails. It could be a weekly newsletter, advertising a product, announcing any events that you’re hosting or when the next episode of your podcast is out. 

Plan out everything that you will put out in that particular month or week and this will prevent any disasters. Try and send out a mail maybe every week so that your subscribers are happy with the content they are getting but do not spam their inbox.

Starting an email list will take some time and effort, especially trying to grow it. But in the end it will be worth it and you will be satisfied and content with the end result. 

Adding freebies every once in a while is also a great way to keep your subscribers engaged and provide value. 

Having an email list is one of the smartest marketing strategies that you should know about. Now you know how to start your own email list if you don’t have one already, go get started with it.