It is extremely important to grow your own opt-in email list as it is typically the most profitable source of revenue and/or leads.

I am constantly shocked when I encounter companies that DO NOT ‘get it’ and are leaving SO MUCH on the table…

Here are six strategies to grow your email list(s):

1. Offer To Win Sweepstakes – people enter with their email address for a chance to win prizes, products, rewards, etc.
2. White Papers and Useful Content – if you offer information with high perceived value, people will give you their email address in order to access the information

3. Shopping Cart and Lead Form Abandonments – depending on how your Shopping Cart and/or Lead Forms are setup, you are able to capture email addresses of those perspective customers who abandoned their shopping cart(s)  and/or lead forms and did not ‘convert’ on your site

4. Partnerships – Offer your product/service for free as part of a contest or sweepstakes on somebody else’s website, which targets your ideal customer, all you want in return is access to the emails

5. Sign-up For Offers and New product Notification – If you have a brick and mortar location ask people for their email by either a pad on the counter, a kiosk/computer online to sign-up, drop your business card in the bowl, enter into system at check-out, etc.  It’s practically 2010 you need to get with it!

6. Don’t Ask Too Much – The more info you ask, and more importantly require, the fewer emails you will acquire….plain and simple.