Six Ways to Attract New Subscribers to your Newsletter or Mailing List

Browsing the internet and the endless number of websites out there, one can’t help but notice the email sign up and newsletter signup forms. Almost every website today asks visitors to sign up for their newsletter. However, very few visitors sign up for it. So what is the best way to get website visitors to […]

By Caitlin Mekita

Browsing the internet and the endless number of websites out there, one can’t help but notice the email sign up and newsletter signup forms. Almost every website today asks visitors to sign up for their newsletter. However, very few visitors sign up for it. So what is the best way to get website visitors to sign up for your newsletter? We have come up with a few tips and figured to share them today with you.

1. Be an expert!

– The first and most important step to getting anyone to sign up for your newsletter is to create top-notch quality content. In other words your website content, pages and blog need to have valuable information. Visitors should feel engaged, and should feel the desire to learn more about what you have to offer.

2. Clearly define the benefits

– What are your visitors going to get when they sign up to join your mailing list? Are they going to get free products or special offers? Will they be provided with exclusive tips and resources? Let them know!

– Offer a specific incentive to join the list. Remember that your visitors are motivated by free products, discounts,  exclusive advice, and other specific offers geared toward their needs.

– Know your audience. Remember that the quality of your subscribers is much more important than the number of subscribers that you have. Consider the reason your visitor is on your website or Facebook in the first place. Perhaps they are looking for product reviews. Maybe they have read your blog for your expert and insightful advice. Your newsletter should be targeting the types of people you want to do business with or be in direct communication with. Model your incentives and calls to action accordingly.

3. Make it easy

– Your opt-in form should be easily noticed on your website, with a simple one-step form where subscribers can enter their e-mail addresses. It is usually a good idea to put this in the footer area so that it appears on every page your visitors will see

– Step outside of your website to allow your followers to sign up for your newsletter. You can put a sign up area on your Facebook page, and some companies even choose to make their Facebook landing page a sign up area.

-Think about other areas of your website that a visitor will navigate to when they seem interested in engaging with your business. Someone who is filling out your contact form, reviewing your products, or purchasing something is already taking the step to open a line of communication with you. Why not add a sign up area where these valuable people are already looking?

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4. Be direct

– Don’t ask questions or be passive when it comes to your opt-in form. Saying “sign up here to receive exclusive coupons and discounts” is much more effective than asking “why not sign up?”

5. Instill Trust

– Because of the ubiquity of spam and unwanted e-mails, people are wary of opting in to another email list to overflow their inbox. You need to establish a level of trust with potential subscribers so they know they will benefit, not be annoyed by your business.

– Have your privacy policy readily available, accessible, and written in a way that is easy to understand by everyone.

– Use testimonials and numbers to your benefit. “Sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive advice from our experts – 3.209 people already have!” Display testimonials and responses proudly. Perhaps a reader has commended on a previous newsletter saying how much they had learned from it. Reading this testimonial will help establish trust.

– Make sure your website creates a sense of community that visitors want to be a part of. Don’t hide comments. Always reply to commenters with polite and well-thought responses.

6. Follow up

– Now that you’ve gotten new subscribers, you need to keep them. Your newsletter should serve to reinforce the identity that you have worked so hard to establish on your website and online presence. Offering valuable expertise, special discounts, coupons, and offers will keep your subscribers happy and engaged.

When creating a newsletter or mailing list, it’s important to understand exactly who you wish to be in contact with and what they are going to benefit from opting in. You want to tell them directly exactly why they should sign up. After you instill a sense of trust and establish a rapport, your visitor will feel confident and safe opting in to your newsletter.

Customer Success Manager