If you’re serious about growing your business, you can’t afford to skip building an email list. Why? Because email is where it’s at! It’s still one of the most effective ways to connect with your customers and keep them in the loop on everything from new product releases to special deals and promotions.
By collecting emails from your audience, you’ll have a direct line of communication that won’t get lost in a sea of spam. You’ll be able to send personalized messages that really speak to their needs and interests, and keep them engaged and excited about your brand. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get that email list started!
Successful brands do things for a reason
Want to learn how to crush email marketing like the big dogs? Look no further than these successful brands! They’ve nailed down the secrets to effective email marketing and have found unique and creative ways to get customers to hand over their email addresses.
We’ll dive into the strategies that have worked for these brands and show you how you can use them to build your own email list. With the knowledge you gain, you’ll be well on your way to growing your business and keeping your customers engaged with personalized content that they can’t resist!
Catch them when they switch tabs
Want to increase your chances of capturing email addresses for your newsletter? One clever technique is to catch users when they switch tabs. Nike, for example, has nailed this approach by opening a mailing list modal window when users switch tabs on their website. When users return to Nike’s tab, they’re greeted with the modal and encouraged to sign up for the newsletter.
This approach can be highly effective because it grabs the user’s attention and boosts the likelihood that they’ll subscribe. Just be careful not to make the modal too intrusive or irritating, as this could have the opposite effect and discourage sign-ups.
Get information that can personalize a newsletter
Want to boost your newsletter sign-ups and create more personalized content?
Look at Qatar Airways for inspiration! They’ve found that asking for a user’s preferred city of departure during sign-up allows them to provide exclusive offers for flights departing from that location. By tailoring your newsletter content to the interests of your subscribers, you can increase engagement and ultimately attract more sign-ups. So don’t be afraid to ask for a little more information during sign-up - it could pay off big time!
Just be sure to only ask for necessary information and provide clear value to the user in return.
Offer a straight up discount
If you want to encourage users to sign up for your newsletter, offering a discount is a no-brainer. Muddy Puddles, a brand that makes clothes for kids to play in the mud, is a great example of this in action.
They offer a tempting 15% discount to anyone who signs up for their newsletter.
This kind of offer works like a charm because it gives users an instant benefit, making them more likely to take the plunge and make a purchase they might not have otherwise. To make sure your offer is effective, make it prominent on your website and in your marketing campaigns.
Ask for things other than just the Email, like SMS
Here’s a fresh idea: instead of just asking for an email address, you could ask users to sign up for an SMS subscription by texting a specific keyword to a particular number. American Giant, the makers of the “Greatest Hoodie Ever,” have used this method with fantastic results.
By diversifying your collection methods, you’ll be able to capture more leads and grow your email list in no time.
Turn your newsletter into a club
If you’re looking for a way to take your newsletter to the next level, why not turn it into an exclusive club? Adidas has done exactly that with their “adiClub” program, which offers members access to exclusive events, vouchers, and products. By making subscribers feel like part of an exclusive community, Adidas has been able to build excitement and loyalty among their fans. This approach can work particularly well for brands that already have a strong following or dedicated customer base.
To create a successful club of your own, make sure you’re offering tangible benefits to your subscribers and tailor your content and offerings to their interests. With the right strategy, you could turn your newsletter into a thriving community of engaged fans and customers.
Embrace the language of your audience
If you want to connect with your audience and make them feel at home, it’s important to speak their language. Vessi, a brand that creates waterproof shoes, does an excellent job of this with their sign-up banner that says “Want a freebie? Grab some Vessis, get a gift.” By using relaxed and informal language, Vessi is able to connect with their target audience and make the sign-up process more approachable. This approach works because it creates a sense of familiarity and trust with your audience, making them more likely to engage with your brand.
When crafting your messaging, be sure to use language and terminology that resonates with your target audience and speaks to their interests and needs.
In some situations, simply being transparent is enough
When it comes to data processing practices, it can be a turn off to use legal jargon and confusing terminology. That’s why brands like Displate are using a different approach. Instead of overwhelming their audience with complex language, they simplify their message and speak in a way that resonates with their target market. Displate, for example, uses terms like “geeky stuff” to entice users to sign up and clearly outlines their data processing practices in plain language. This approach is particularly effective for brands that have a clear niche and dedicated following, as it helps to build trust and establish credibility with potential subscribers. So, if you’re looking to build a loyal subscriber base, consider speaking their language and making your messaging as approachable as possible.
While Displate probably does this for legal reasons, it is nevertheless in line with their brand.
Have a dedicated signup page + offer free goodies
You do not need to be a big brand in order to offer free goodies.
Chris Garrett offers three free eBooks to his subscribers as a bonus for signing up for his newsletter. This incentivizes readers to not only sign up for his newsletter but also engage with his brand on a deeper level by reading his books.
The books are already free and easy to find online – but simply adding value to the sign-up process will increase your conversion rate significantly.
Collect emails in multiple places on a single page
If you want to boost the number of subscribers to your newsletter, having multiple opt-in forms on a single page can be a smart strategy. Take a look at Betty Crocker, the famous baking products brand. They’ve got not one, but two email opt-in forms on their homepage! By doing this, they increase the chances that users will see and consider signing up for their newsletter, even if they missed the first opportunity.
What’s particularly neat about Betty Crocker’s approach is that the two opt-ins have distinct designs.
This makes it even more likely that users who missed the first form will spot the second one and be tempted to sign up. It’s a simple but effective way to make sure your newsletter doesn’t go unnoticed!
Free shipping on top of discounts for physical goods
Offering free shipping in addition to a discount can be an effective way to encourage newsletter sign-ups, especially for brands that sell physical products. Levi’s, for example, offers 10% off plus free shipping on the first order for new subscribers. This creates a sense of urgency and tangible value for the user. Consider offering a discount code that also covers shipping costs.
To make the most of this strategy, clearly communicate the offer on your website and in your email marketing campaigns. Don’t be afraid to use capital letters or other attention-grabbing techniques to highlight the promotion.
Major brands like Levi’s use bold text and colorful buttons to draw attention to their offers, so take inspiration from them.
Take over the screen
Take over their screen with a crazy good offer! That’s what Ridge Wallet does with their full-screen banner offering up to 30% off for new subscribers. By making the offer impossible to miss, Ridge Wallet captures visitors’ attention and makes signing up super enticing. This approach works especially well for brands that have exclusive discounts or promotions for their subscribers. Just make sure the offer is clear and concise, and that signing up is easy peasy without interrupting the browsing experience. And guess what?
Ridge isn’t the only one doing it – loads of brands are jumping on board with this strategy. When someone tries to navigate away from the tab, they pop up the banner again, giving visitors another chance to sign up and snag those sweet deals.
Be careful though, you run the risk of breaking your visitor’s journey. So plan well.
Make it part of the onboarding process
Incorporating newsletter sign-up into your onboarding process can be a smart move. Hello Fresh does it by asking for an email address after users select a meal plan but before they choose their meals. By seamlessly integrating sign-up into the onboarding process, Hello Fresh increases the chances of users subscribing to their newsletter without disrupting their experience.
This tactic can work wonders for brands with a clear value proposition and the ability to showcase the perks of subscribing to their newsletter early on. When giving this approach a try, remember to keep the sign-up process simple and straightforward to boost the chances of users opting in.
Make it a requirement for free digital downloads
Elegant Themes has come up with a brilliant way to grow their email list while also giving their audience something worth signing up for. They offer free digital downloads, such as unique designs that they showcase on their blog. But, there’s a catch: users have to sign up for their newsletter to get access to these awesome downloads.
It’s a win-win situation where Elegant Themes gets to increase their email list while providing their audience with high-quality content. Talk about clever marketing!
Style it according to your niche
SideChef, the cooking and recipe app, knows how to make their opt-in popup work for them. They match the design of the popup with their website’s overall style, featuring mouth-watering dishes to make the opt-in more appealing to their food-loving users. Their use of a unique phrase “Send Me My Meal Plan” in place of a traditional sign-up button is a clever way to get users to take action and sign up for their newsletter immediately. By emphasizing the value of receiving a meal plan, SideChef communicates the benefits of joining their newsletter list.
With these thoughtful design choices, SideChef has made their opt-in form more effective at capturing emails and growing their list.
Offer personalization beyond belief
NVIDIA’s email subscription service goes above and beyond the typical one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, they offer a personalized experience for their subscribers by allowing them to select topics that interest them most. Whether you’re a gaming enthusiast, a data science guru, or interested in AR/VR, NVIDIA has got you covered with their diverse range of topics. By curating content based on their subscribers’ interests, NVIDIA creates a more engaging and valuable experience that keeps users coming back for more.
This personalized approach also helps to prevent their emails from being marked as spam or unsubscribed from, ensuring their message is getting to the right people.
Offer a journey to your subscribers
Mother.ly has come up with a unique way to personalize their newsletter and make it more engaging for expecting mothers. When signing up for their newsletter, they ask for the expected due date of the baby. This simple step allows Mother.ly to create tailored content for subscribers throughout their pregnancy and beyond. With this personalization, subscribers receive valuable information that is relevant to their stage in the pregnancy journey, which keeps them coming back for more.
Moreover, by providing a journey to their subscribers, Mother.ly can build a stronger connection with their audience and foster a sense of community around their brand.
Keep it concise, keep it simple.
GoThrift’s email opt-in banner is a no-nonsense approach to encourage visitors to subscribe to their newsletter. The banner asks a simple and direct question, “want 10% off your first order?” This straightforward approach quickly informs visitors what they will get in exchange for subscribing to their newsletter. A minimalist opt-in form can be less overwhelming for visitors and can increase the likelihood of them signing up.
The simplicity of the banner also complements the brand’s minimalistic style, making it consistent with their overall aesthetic.
Tell your readers what they will get
CNET has mastered the art of creating buzz around their newsletter by highlighting what their readers will gain. Their CNET Insider upgrade promises top-notch tech advice on an array of topics, from smart appliances to iPhones. This enticing message is bound to pique the interest of anyone interested in technology.
By providing a sneak peek of the kind of content readers can expect, CNET inspires them to sign up and stay connected with their brand.
Give more control over to your users
makeuseof.com stands out by giving their readers the power to control the frequency and content of their newsletter. Unlike other newsletters that may inundate your inbox with irrelevant information, Makeuseof.com’s elegantly designed controls allow users to opt into topics that pique their interest and set their preferred frequency of email delivery. By offering this level of control to their readers, Makeuseof.com increases the chances of keeping their subscribers engaged and satisfied with the content they receive.
This user-focused approach helps build trust and loyalty, ultimately leading to a stronger relationship between the brand and its audience.
Show that you care about your readers’ time
Yes, that’s correct! By emphasizing that their newsletter only takes 5 minutes to read, The Hustle is communicating the value of their newsletter to potential subscribers who may be hesitant to sign up for a newsletter that requires a significant time investment.
This approach can help to increase the perceived value of the newsletter and make it more appealing to busy professionals who are looking for quick and informative updates.
