You may have started a mailing list, but are having trouble getting people to sign up and join. Getting people to join your list is a lot easier than you might think, it just takes a little bit of work and creativity. The key step that you must take is to offer them something that they will value in return for giving you their email address and contact information.

One of the first things you can do that works really well, based on what the niche of your business is, is to offer prizes or coupons in return for their information. Let them know that by signing up they will receive weekly or monthly coupons for your goods or services, and that the only way to get these coupons is by signing up. At the same time, tell them that by joining your list they are automatically entered into a drawing for a great prize. These two things will double or triple your visitor to signup ratio for your mailing list.

Another thing that is completely necessary to get people to sign up for your list is to offer something more than just coupons or prizes. Offer something of value related to your niche. for instance, if your business is search engine related, offer tips and tricks that will help your list get better rankings in the search engines. This serves the dual purpose of getting them to sign up for your list, and also helps to build trust with your list so that they buy from you in the future.

Another thing that stops people from signing up for email lists is when the website asks for way too much information. There is really no need for a birthday, and probably not even a physical address. People are scared to give out too much information to a website they just stumbled across, so keep the information requests to a minimum. after you gain their trust you can ask for more information if need be.

The final thing that often turns people off when signing up for a list is the initial double opt-in email. Make sure you write professional copy, and outline exactly what it is they will be getting when they opt-in to your mailing list. Often people will ignore these list verification emails if they look unprofessional and do not clearly state their purpose. Also, make sure you are using an emailing service that is not on the spam lists, because this initial email might end up in your potential customers spam boxes. People can\’t opt-in if they never get your email.

Getting a successful mailing list going is easier than people will tell you. Have a little patience, and be a little creative, and your list will be filled with interested potential buyers in no time. Remember to be sure you initially offer something that your niche base of customers will value or appreciate, and you should have absolutely no problem getting people to sign up for your list.

Author Bio: Trevor Richards writes for Extravision, a leading UK email marketing company.

Category: Marketing
Keywords: email marketing, internet marketing, ecommerce, business, sales, email