How to Build Your Email List

Is email marketing still worth it?

Overwhelmingly, the facts point to yes.

According to the Direct Marketing Association, email marketing still has an average ROI of 4300%.
Simply put, email marketing has the best ROI compared to other online marketing options.

When you’re growing as an apparel brand, it’s essential to keep your conversation with your customers open and frequent. This doesn’t mean to spam them with constant emails, but to gently remind them that you’re still around and they should buy their clothes from you.

Next to a website, an email list should be the next major thing on your to-do list when it comes to your online brand building.

Your customers can be so busy that they’ll miss your social media posts, blogs, sales, etc., but an e-mail has to be acknowledged. It sits in your customer’s inbox until they decide to do something with it (hopefully, reading it and taking action).

If you haven’t signed up for an e-mail service yet, here’s a great guide to get you started:
http://monetizepros.com/email-monetization/how-to-pick-an-email-provider-mailchimp-vs-aweber-vs-getresponse/

This article will walk you through a variety of options when it comes to building an email list:

1. Collaborations

One of the fastest ways to add more people to your e-mail list is to partner with a company that has potential customers in your niche.

You can collaborate on giveaways, events, products, or anything else that relates to what your target market cares about. This helps you and the other company both do something special for your customers and also reach out to new potential people for both of your businesses.

The best way to start to do this is to start creating relationships with business owners who have the same customer pool you do. For example, if you sell custom athletic hoodies, you might want to find a shoe company to partner with.

2. Social proof or testimonials

Barbara Corcoran, one of the successful entrepreneurs on Shark Tank, said it best, “Everybody wants what everybody wants”.

Meaning, if you have an impressive social media following or any other impressive shout-outs for your company from influential people, put those front and center. You want other people to know you are in demand and influential people can vouch for your excellence.

This will also work for glowing testimonials or influential places your company has been featured. Always keep a page on your website for positive news or reviews for your company. It will boost the “trust” factor between you and potential customers.

3. Strong copywriting

Most of your email subscriber conversions will come from having strong copy on your website.

Strong copywriting comes from giving visitors a strong reason why they should care about your company. What do they get out of it?

Developing an emotional reaction within your potential customer matters when you need them to care. Once you’ve done the hard work of bringing customers to your website, you need to make sure your copy is converting them.

Here is a blog from Copyblogger with a more in-depth tutorial for a strong call-to-action and various things you can test:
http://www.copyblogger.com/call-to-action-buttons/

4. Giveaways

Giving away some of your products is a great way to gain people on your list.

You could also consider giving away items related to your target market. For example, if you create sports jerseys you could give away tickets to a game in your city.

Either way, people will be happy to be on your list in order to potentially win. As long as you take the proper steps to ensure that it’s something customers care about, automate as much as possible, and make it simple, it will be well worth the investment.

This is a great post from Inc on the specific steps to keep in mind when running your social media giveaway:
http://www.inc.com/jim-belosic/don-t-waste-your-money-on-a-social-media-giveaway.html

5. Different opt-in forms

Instead of just the usual sidebar email sign up option, why not test different ideas?
Some other options include:

• Floating sidebars
• Pop-ups
• Scroll Box
• Social media opt-in forms

Avoid being too invasive to the user experience, but at the same time make sure you’re getting as many potential customers as possible.

Put your opt-in forms on your social media platforms and email signatures as well. As long as you’re providing value and caring about your customers, they will be delighted to receive future emails from you.

6. Become the main resource in your industry by publishing thoughtful content

Content is the game.

People want to debate whether content is still worthwhile, but all the facts point to how valuable content marketing is compared to other forms of marketing.

The real way to win over your customers is to bring more value to their lives than your competitors do.

Most companies create brands that talk about their own company instead of what their customers care about. Whatever niche you’re in as an apparel brand, there are always things you could talk about to show that you understand your customer.

When you create great content, customers will want to stay tuned for more content. Once they trust you and your ideas, they’ll be excited to buy from you.

Always make the offer for them to sign up for your e-mail list at various stages throughout your content.

Some ideas of extras to pitch include:
* Downloads
* Guides
* Step-by-step tutorials
* Insider secrets
* Coupons

7. Host or attend events

Few things beat face-to-face events with current and potential customers.

Going to events and being able to shake the hands of customers is always better than any fancy website. If you ever have this option, bring a sheet for customers to fill out so they can stay updated with your company after you have already connected.

Overall:

Test, test, test.
Here are some ideas for you to test:
1. http://www.digitalmarketer.com/split-tests-that-boost-conversions/
Try to focus on where your target market actually is. It’s always better to have an e-mail list full of people who actually want your content instead of random people just to have a huge list.

Final thoughts:

• Sign up for an e-mail servicer. Mailchimp vs. Aweber vs. others + pros/cons
• Put your signup form EVERYWHERE.
• Offer a deal for signing up for your list or offer exclusive deals.
• Always provide e-mails of value. That means news on your business or industry, new releases, blog posts, sales, or anything else you know your customers care about. It’s best to mix it up instead of sending them e-mails daily about your sales.
• Some people estimate that each e-mail subscriber is worth between $1 and $10 depending on your business and marketing skills.
• The thing about e-mail is that it’s better to have a smaller and highly active list instead of a huge list that barely reads your e-mails.
• Offer something for free. For some companies, this makes sense, for others it doesn’t, but don’t overlook this option without brainstorming with your team.