Contrary to what you may have been told recently, email marketing is not dead. Not knowing why you need one is not an excuse for not having one. Without an email list, you’re losing countless personal space to sell, pitch, or meet you direct target audience. Your email list is a form of personal marketing that many people still enjoy. It’s the quickest way to get your latest project in front of the right people.

If you’re in the space where you’ve heard email lists still exist but have no idea where to start with your own, keep reading through the list below. We’ve got the why, how, and when on email marketing all mapped out just for you.

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1. Why Email Lists Are So Important

Sales funnels just work. It’s a proven fact. If you are constantly in front of your target client they are more likely to purchase from you because you have now become their trusted source. You become the one they remember and the one they tell their friends about. Repetition is key to sales.

Statistics have shown that email converts higher than any other form of marketing, including social media and blog posts. It’s a more personal touch to marketing. It puts you in a place of trust and expertise that isn’t normally given through Instagram.

When someone gives you their email address, they’re saying yes to whatever you’re selling. Receiving that email let’s you know they are interested in what you have to offer. After that, all you have to do is give them more of what they want.

2. How to Plan Your Marketing Goals

You can’t start anything without a plan, so that will always be step one. Ask yourself what you’re trying to achieve, when you want to achieve it, and how you’ll measure your results.

Ex. I want to gain 100 subscribers every month for the next 3 months in order to start promoting my coaching business to my target audience.

It can be a statement as simple as that but you won’t know what you’re doing if you don’t know where you’re going. Writing statements like this down could be the difference in you just thinking the thought versus putting it into action.

3. Pick the Right Marketing Tools

There really is no wrong choice when it comes to what you use to start your email list.

Some popular websites are:

Your choice will most likely depend on price, email options, template creation, and how big you plan to grow. Create a pros and cons list for each to help you compare. It can be harder to see which one is the best for your business when you’re flipping back and forth through webpages.

There’s also no harm in starting on one and moving to another you like better. Most platforms will offer you a certain number of subscribers for free. While that also comes with it’s limitations, if you’re just starting out, you might not have a need for those more costly platforms yet.

4. When Should You Start Your List

Right now. Don’t wait to start your email list. There is no need to have a certain following or even to have completed your product. If you’re in the process of creating something, let people see it and hear it so they can start believing in it. Showing your progress and dedication will encourage your growing audience to keep an eye on you for what’s to come.

To get your first sign ups right out of the gate, offer your target client something they can’t refuse.

5. What Freebie Should You Offer to Get Subscribers

To get your first sign ups, it’s always a good idea to offer a freebie. For example, most stock photo companies will offer 10-20 free photos just for giving them your email. They will also send out free photos about once a month, or whenever the season changes as an incentive for people to stick around.

Here’s a list of freebies you can try, depending on your niche:

Marketing Ideas

Date Night Plans

Tour Guide of Your City

Instagram Hacks for Beginners

Pinterest Tutorial

Cheat Sheet/Checklist/ Worksheet

An Email/ Video Course

You don’t have to stick to one freebie for too long. Or you can have multiple freebie links active at the same time. With multiple lists, you can target and niche down your email audience even further. You can create an email chain for each group. Since they are each interested in a different aspect of your business, you will be able to target a specific group with each planned email. Targeting a smaller group you know is interested in a particular project will increase the likelihood of your subscribers becoming customers/clients.

6. What To Include In Your Emails

The hardest part is always writing your first welcome email! It’s your second first impression. (The first was getting them to sign up in the first place.) Now it’s time to hook them. The easiest way to keep them wanting more is to start an email series. If you’re a social media manager, you can start a 3 part series on special tips to help potential clients grow their following. When it comes to email lists, you have to give value to keep subscribers. Once you’ve shown you have the knowledge they’re looking for, they’ll have no reason to leave.

Starting an email list is one of the smartest decisions you can make to generate new business. Remember that those emails are the first yes to you, your product, and your brand.