So you're sold on the idea of email marketing. In fact, you're already polishing off the next stellar edition of your e-newsletter.
 
But, creating the content is only the first half of the battle--you need a list of people to receive and read it.

How do you build your list? What tools and marketing channels that you're already using can you put to work for you?

Here are 14 of our favorite ways to keep your email list growing:

On Your Website

  • Put your sign-up form in your website template, so it appears on every single page. 
  • Offer special downloads, like how-to guides. Be clear that when they sign-up for the download, they will also get your e-newsletter.
  • Sponsor a fun contest or drawing, and be clear that when they enter, they will also receive your e-newsletter.
  • Let people segment themselves on the sign-up form by which topics they care about.


In Your Email Messages

  • Offer great content! Nothing will build your list faster.
  • Encourage supporters to update their email addresses themselves (if your system allows it).
  • Ask readers to forward your e-newsletter to friends and be sure to include a link to your sign-up form in each edition so those friends can sign-up directly.
  • Respect all opt-outs. It’s better to lose a subscriber than to have that person tag you as a spammer.
  • Put a link to your sign-up form in your personal email signature as well.


Face to Face

  • Audit all of your paper forms and make sure you are also asking for an email address anywhere you would ask for a phone number or mailing address.
  • When people register for your events, tell them they will receive your e-newsletter, too.
  • Include a newsletter sign-up form at your reception desk.
  • Collect business cards when you make presentations.
  • Get in the habit of regularly entering those hand-collected addresses into your system.

 

Need an email service that allows subscribers to update their addresses, includes forward-to-a-friend links automatically and takes care of opt-outs for you? Learn more about Network for Good's solution, EmailNow powered by Emma, at a no-commitment, free demo webinar.

 

 

Kivi Leroux Miller is president of Nonprofit Marketing Guide.com.