Features Business Marketing
Marc’s monthly marketing tips: building an email list

Sept. 25. 2012 — Email is one of the most effective marketing tools there is. It's efficient, low cost, allows for the sharing of files, links and images, and gets your message right into the receiver's inbox.

Here are five tips to help you efficiently build your email list with quality contacts:

1. Sign
   up with an email service such as Constant Contact or Mail Chimp. These
   services will allow you to create and schedule emails and manage contact
   lists.
2. Have an email capture form on your home page and blog. These forms are provided by your email service and are easy to customize.
3. Give
   visitors a great reason to give you their email address. Offer a free
   report, an e-book or access to a special website. Experiment with
   different offers to see what works best.
4. Ask for the minimal
   amount of information on your email form. A first name and email address
   is often enough. Asking for too much information such as company, city
   and phone number can be a turn off.
5. Make your first email
   welcoming. Keep it short, friendly and be sure to include whatever you
   were offering. Don't give your life story or try to hard sell.

Marc Gordon is a professional speaker and marketing consultant. Get more marketing tips on his website, www.marcgordon.ca and on his online show, www.marctv.net.