7 Ways to Get People onto Your Mailing List that you May Not Have Thought of Before

Exclusive access, influencers, subscriber spotlights, gamification and more

by Jennifer Cernada, Net Atlantic Marketing

Introduction

In today’s increasingly digital world, it’s becoming harder to gain attention from potential customers. New times call for unconventional and unique strategies. List building is critical for any successful marketing effort as your subscribers represent your potential. While traditional approaches remain effective, they often fall short as every other business use similar tactics. To stand out and maximize your reach, try these strategies to expand your subscriber base and enhance engagement.

1. Exclusive Access

Offer early access to new products, features, or events for subscribers only. This creates a sense of exclusivity and urgency.

The innate human desire for exclusivity drives consumer behavior as people naturally seek out feelings of being valued and special, differing themselves from others. To increase perceived value and create scarcity in your email campaigns, offer limited-time deals or early access to subscribers only. For example, you could provide subscribers with an exclusive preview of an upcoming product launch, offer special discounts available only to those on your list, or grant them access to VIP events before they are open to the public. These exclusive and time-sensitive opportunities evoke FOMO in non-subscribers, compelling to act quickly and incentivizes immediate sign-ups.

2. Interactive Content

Create quizzes, surveys, or interactive tools related to your audience. Offer personalized results or insights in exchange for their email address.

To enhance engagement, attract new subscribers, and drive higher conversion rates you can integrate interactive elements. Allowing users to take tailored quizzes or polls can transform static emails into dynamic experiences that are captivating and fun. For instance, a retail brand might include a product recommendation quiz that provides personalized suggestions. Or a travel company could feature an interactive map with specialized vacation packages. By offering personalized results in exchange for their email address, you provide immediate value, making the sign-up process more appealing. By making your emails more responsive and engaging you attract more potential subscribers while boosting your CTR.

3. Social Media Challenges

Host a challenge on social media that requires participants to sign up with their email to receive daily prompts, tips, or rewards.

In the digitalized world, social media platforms are powerful tools for creating viral content and internet sensations and buzz. Posting challenges and games for a chance to win a reward incentivizes interested participants in signing up. An example of this in the fitness industry is creating a 30-day challenge with daily exercises and healthy habits. Participants sign up with their email to receive daily workout routines and wellness tips and encourage them to share their progress on social media for an opportunity to win free trial memberships or fitness gear. This approach not only boosts email sign-ups but also leverages social media to amplify engagement and attract new followers, creating a win-win situation for both your brand and your audience.

4. Partner with Influencers

Collaborate with influencers or bloggers who can promote your email list to their followers. They can help you reach a broader audience and add credibility to your list-building efforts.

To further increase your brand’s presence on social media, collaborating with influencers and even micro-influencers, can help grow your email list significantly. Influencer’s engagement and trust with their audience can effectively attractive email sign ups, targeting a well-established and loyal fan base. You can utilize tactics of exclusivity and social media challenges with influencers to create co-branded content, host giveaways, or offer exclusive discounts to their followers for signing up. Their endorsement not only expands your reach, but takes advantage of a credible source to enhance the appeal of your email offers.

5. Subscriber Spotlight

Dedicate a section of your emails to spotlighting subscribers who have shared insightful or compelling feedback. This can create a sense of community and encourage others to participate.

Understanding the basic human desire of achieving a sense of belonging, you can leverage this successfully in your emails. Featuring subscriber stories, commentary, or feedback establishes a community within your targeted audience as you celebrate their contributes. Highlighting their experiences and insights can make subscribers feel appreciated, encouraging others to share their own thoughts and participate more in the community. A good example of this is in a monthly newsletter for a cooking blog. Each issue could feature a "Subscriber Spotlight" section where you highlight a subscriber who has shared a unique recipe or cooking tip. This approach not only strengthens your relationship with your current subscribers, but demonstrates your strong and loyal email list to potential subscribers, furthering encouraging sign-ups.

6. Gamification

Use games, such as “spin-to-win” or scratch off cards, to create a fun and entertaining approach. In exchange for their email, you offer coupons or special deals.

Gamification is a powerful tool to engage your audience and encourage email sign-ups by making the process fun and interactive. By incorporating elements of games into your marketing strategy, you can create a more dynamic and enjoyable experience for your potential subscribers. For example, you can implement a "spin-to-win" wheel on your website, where visitors can enter their email address for a chance to win discounts, free products, or exclusive content. Another approach, is incorporating scratch cards to promote seasonal sales or coupon codes. Using games turns a routine task into an entertaining and rewarding experience.

7. QR Codes

Incorporate QR codes in your marketing efforts to seamlessly connect with your potential customers.

QR codes offer a unique and often underutilized method for growing your email list, particularly in physical or hybrid spaces. By placing QR codes in strategic locations, such as in-store displays, product packaging, or event signage, you can direct potential subscribers to a dedicated sign-up page with ease. You could integrate QR codes into printed materials, like menus at a restaurant or flyers at an event, where scanning the code leads to a special offer or discount available only to email subscribers. This approach seamlessly bridges the gap between offline and online engagement, making it easier for potential subscribers to connect with your brand in an accessible way.

Conclusion

As email marketing is constantly changing, the ways you grow you list is also changing too. These innovative approaches will not only help you attract and retain subscribers but also build a more engaged and loyal audience. Instead of the traditional strategies, try these unconventional tactics and see your list grow!