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Last Updated on March 6, 2018 by Work In My Pajamas
So you’re interested in making money online? One of the best ways to do that is to build up an email list of people in your target market and send those people periodic updates about your brand.
Or maybe you’ve been in the Internet marketing game for a while. You’ve already got an email list, but you’d like to see it grow so that you increase your reach.
Whatever your case may be, here are 7 ways to get more email subscribers.
In This Post:
The Pop-up Box Upon Exit
One of the more recent trends is to present visitors with a pop-up box when they exit the website. Usually, the pop-up box gives the visitor the opportunity to subscribe to an email list, although it may also offer an incentive (such as a discount).
When users move the mouse cursor in such a way that it’s clear they’re going to another website, a pop-up box appears with a “But wait! There’s more!” type of message. An email subscription offer is usually attached to that message.
The kind of pop-up box is less intrusive than the ones that appear when the user is in the middle of reading content or shopping. That’s why the pop-up on exit is growing in popularity. The popular marketing site, Unbounce, does this very well.
Use an Interactive ‘Subscribe’ Button
You might already have something akin to a subscribe button on your blog or e-commerce site. When users click on that button, they’re brought to a form that offers your subscription service.
But does that button stand out enough? You may be losing potential subscribers simply because the button isn’t making enough of a statement.
One way to make the button stand out a little more is to make it interactive. For example: Offer a button that, in its natural state, has a red border. When someone hovers over it, the border turns green. That’s an attention-getter.
Avoid Asking for Too Much Information
You might have seen email forms asking people to enter their first name, last name and email address. In fact, you might be doing that on your own website.
While it may seem like a nice touch to email your subscribers with their first name in the subject title, you also have to ask yourself if you’re requesting too much information. If people are unwilling to fill out numerous mandatory fields, they might decide not to subscribe at all.
Your mileage may vary, but you’ll probably find that simply requesting an email address alone is all you need.
Make It Easy for Subscribers To Forward Your Email
If you want more subscribers to your email list, make your emails easily shareable. Try placing an easy-to-find forward button somewhere in the body (or even the header) of your email. This way, people can easily forward the information to friends or family.
Of course, you’ll also want to give those recipients the opportunity to subscribe to your email list as well. Make it as easy as possible for unsubscribed readers to become subscribers. Consider using something like a “more information” button that is also plainly visible in your email. If you’re using WordPress, you can install the MailChimp widget and create a link to include in your email that directs readers to subscribe.
Offer an Incentive
Offer people something free in exchange for subscribing to your email list. For example, if you offer a service related to mental health, perhaps you could offer a free PDF that lists 10 simple ways that people can become happier right away.
Make it clear that you’ll deliver the free incentive by sending it to an email address. Arrow Cattlequip uses this technique by offering a free guide in exchange for your email.
Put Your ‘Subscribe’ Button Everywhere
People who visit your website shouldn’t have to fish around to find a subscribe button. It should be plainly visible.
If you only have one on the front page of your website, users who visit other pages aren’t going to see it as they’re clicking around. Instead of only using a button on the front page, also add one to the sidebar. This makes it visible on all pages.
Also, consider putting a subscribe button in two separate locations on every page. For instance, maybe one in the sidebar as well as the footer, or in the header and the sidebar. Another possibility is to use one at the end of every post as well as the sidebar.
Remember, increasing the visibility of the button will increase the likelihood that people will click it. Just don’t go overboard or you’ll look spammy. Aim for one, maybe two, newsletter signup options on each page.
Use Social Networks to Boost Subscriptions
Chances are pretty good that if you have any kind of a web presence, you also have a few social media accounts that you use to provide updates to your followers. Why not ask some of those followers to subscribe to your email list?
One of the best ways to motivate people to do something is to simply ask them. It may be the case that you’re lacking subscribers because you haven’t advertised your mailing list very well on social media. Try this tactic from Buffer and sync your MailChimp list and Facebook page to collect signups on Facebook.
Your email list is a great source of revenue for your business. You should always be looking for ways to get more email subscribers.
[Free How-to Guide] Become an Email Marketing Pro in 60 Minutes
