With GDPR on the horizon, it is more important than ever to have an opt in process for your email list. Here is a diagram showing an effective process for getting your target market to subscribe to your email list:
Customers have problems / challenges that they have to resolve sooner or later. Try to see it from their perspective. How does it feel to have this challenge? How would you define the problem? What alternative solutions are available?
Having decide on the problem that you are going to focus on, the next step is to write a detailed guide to solving the problem. For example, I have written a 10,000 word marketing strategy e-book (more of which in a moment).
You can promote your guide in a variety of way including Google AdWords, Facebook advertisements, Instagram ads, Twitter ads, LinkedIn adverts and social media posts. You can also promote it via your website and by sending 1-2-1 emails to people that you know. In fact, you can promote the guide by using most of the 250+ promotional techniques that I have researched and used.
All of this activity should aim at a landing page which does not contain your website navigation bar or any other distractions. Here is one that I prepared earlier (any Blue Peter fans out there?) which offers a free copy of the 10,000 word marketing strategy e-book:
If you join my list, via the above page, notice that you are taken to a confirmation page telling you what is going to happen next and that MailChimp provides a clear opt-in process.
Having launched my new landing page a few days ago, I have 55 people on the list so far. A couple of people rang me to ask questions about the guide and I have emailed a few other people which has led to sales conversations.
One of my clients calls everyone who signs up to their list, using this process. They are selling to other businesses and they request a phone number on the opt-in form. Their business is increasing in size by 50% annually.
What is stopping you from doing all of this? I suspect that you are busy: so time is the first challenge. Then you have to consider the different options for the guide and of course you have to write it and produce a professional looking PDF. You then have to create the landing page either using a sub domain or special software that overrides your website’s standard layout. Finally you have to set up the email marketing automation sequence. Phew!
If you would like some help with this, you are welcome to email me, call me on 01628 773128 or join The Marketing Compass and ask there.
