How to Build An Email List for Your Business

I don’t know about you but I don’t like dealing with social media algorithms. Even worse, lately, they’ve been having these glitches and shutdowns. Leaving my business in the hands of social media is a silly bet for sure. But there is one thing that I own outright…

My email list.

I can transfer it to other providers and even use it as an asset when selling my business because it’s an email list of potential and existing clients that I earned myself. The people on social media belong to the platform that they are on til they join your email list. I am not saying you need to have a massive email list to sell anything. I am saying you need to build an email list. point blank period. No “ifs”, “ands”, or “buts” about it.

Now, I’m not in the business of “shoulding” people so if you’ve already decided against building an email list then you don’t need to read any further.

But…

If you’re curious or are ready to take control of your business, keep reading.

Building an email list isn’t as hard as you might think.

There are 3 steps to it and you can absolutely complete this TODAY if you make a few hours to do it.

Let’s get started!

How to Build an Email List for Your Business

Step 1: Begin with why

So, before we start talking about the tangibles of how to build an email list, I want you to take a step back and ask yourself why are you doing this? I gave you a few reasons above but it’s important that you agree deep down with why you are doing something or else when it gets a little tough you’ll quit and it’ll fall by the wayside. Then you’ll go back to relying on social media to make connections and sales in your business. So get clear on why you are doing this and how it’ll benefit you, your business, and ultimately your ideal clients in the long run. Then move on to step 2: Deciding and signing up with an email service provider.

Step 2: Decide on an email service provider

There are two schools of thought with this.

1. Start with a free service and graduate to a paid service when you start getting traction or
2.  Sign up for the one that you can grow into and has robust automation features at a great price.

I am in the 2nd camp.
When I started my 1st business I started on MailChimp but my emails were mostly hitting spam and promotions folder in Gmail!

When I switched to ActiveCampaign they began going in the regular box and rarely into the promotions box (which I am ok with).

I recommend (and still use) ActiveCampaign because they have robust automations and are well priced for the market. They can get a little technical but that’s why you have me in your corner!

Click the button to sign up below for a free no-credit card needed 14-day trial!  (Yes it’s an affiliate link and your price stays the same)

After deciding and signing up with an email service provider (hint hint cough activecampaign cough) it’s time to move on to step 3: setting up and installing an email collection service.

Step 3: Start collecting emails!

You do this by selecting and installing an email address collection plugin.

Please note: Your email service provider may have an embeddable email form that’s available for your website… but it might not be pretty or a popup.

Some might find popups annoying but they work! There are also other methods like scroll bars and more but this is about getting started.

Set up this using something like Bloom from Elegant Themes. They have awesome forms that are 100% customizable and they also have basic forms for you to start with! I’ve used bloom from elegant themes for over 2 years now! They also have an awesome social media sharing plugin and amazing themes for WordPress.

If you build an email list with in-person people there are 2 ways to go about it…

1. Ask for it at check out if your POS (point-of-sale) allows you to do that. Make sure it’s hooked up to an awesome Email Service Provider like ActiveCampaign or
2. Use a cool QR code that’s linked to your esp opt-in form. I’d offer an incentive like $x off your next purchase or something low cost for free with purchase. Click here to create your QR code for free!

Once you’ve completed these 3 steps you are finished but there are some advanced strategies you can implement as you build an email list for your business!

Those advanced email list building strategies are:

1. Creating a freebie that strategically attracts the right people for your business and
2. Using Pinterest to get traffic to your business (& grow your email list!)

Offering a freebie for people joining your email list is somewhat controversial but it can work when it’s done right. What do I mean by done right? Well doing it right entails you knowing your ideal client very well and meeting them where they are and then crafting a journey via email that helps them to connect the dots, shift their beliefs, build trust, and ultimately become a loyal client. That’s done by creating an automated welcome email sequence that you send via email. But that all starts with creating an awesome freebie that preferably saves your ideal client TIME. Those are usually checklists, prompts, plans, printables, and more.

You can create that freebie in Canva. I love Canva because the free version is quite robust and the paid version is insane! (I’m definitely frugal! (Not to be confused with cheap lol)).

The 2nd advanced strategy is using Pinterest. Some people think Pinterest is a social media platform but they are wrong. Pinterest is a VERY powerful visual search engine that runs on SEO (Search Engine Optimization) like Google and YouTube. That means people are actively looking for things that solve their challenges that can be saved for later. These pins signal buying intent!

Here’s a quick step by step guide on how to utilize Pinterest for traffic to your freebie:

1.  Create a standalone page for your freebie on your website
2.  Create a Pinterest graphic (in Canva!) that attracts your ideal client
3.  Optimize the description for SEO (using specific keyword phrases) and
4. Pin (Save) it to Pinterest group boards!

After completing this, watch traffic grow slowly but surely and your email list with it! Something I’m exploring right now is using this app called tailwind tribes to grow my each in addition to group boards. I will have an article talking about that coming soon.

Ok so let’s recap!

Starting and building your email list is key to strategic business growth that doesn’t rely on social media. Having an email list is an ASSET to your business and is owned by you, the business owner. We discussed the 3 major steps to help you build an email list today and 2 advanced strategies as well.

Here’s what you need to get started:

1. Begin with why?
2. Decide on an email service provider
3. Install an email collection service

And here are the 2 advanced email list building strategies:

1. Creating a freebie that strategically attracts the right people for your business and
2. Using Pinterest to get traffic to your business (& grow your email list!)

Once you begin to build an email list you’re gonna need something that’ll help you meet your new potential client where they are and then crafting a journey via email that helps them to connect the dots, shift their beliefs, builds trust with you and your brand, and ultimately become a loyal client.  That’s where an automated welcome email sequence comes in.

Click here to learn more about the Create Your Profitable Welcome Sequence Workbook!

That’s all from me! In the comments let me know how this works for you and once you get it going don’t forget to get the workbook. You’ll be glad you did!