Building an email list can be an involved process. This reader wrote in to Michael Katz, e-newsletter expert, asking about the best ways to build the list for her stress relief site. Michael’s suggestions will work for your site too.
Sandra:
I am at the promotion point of my website. I have read a lot of information on this subject. How do I build a list of people to send my newsletter to? My website is stress–relief.com
Thanks,
Sandra Streb
sstreb@peoplepc.com
Michael:
Thanks for your email. In terms of who to send your newsletter to, I recommend two things:
Start with your organization’s list of contacts (not just customers, everybody you have a business relationship with). These are the best prospects/referrers for your service, and the ones most likely to be interested in what you say. Unfortunately, at this point in the evolution of email, sending emails to people you don’t know is almost entirely ineffective (and already illegal in some states), so best to stick with those you do.
Look for other complimentary organizations that send newsletters out and see if they’ll do a deal with you to promote each other’s offerings. Your respective audiences will likely have an interest in what a related service might have to say, and this is a good way to build lists fast.
Best of luck with growing your list!
Michael
Do you have a question for Michael, or a topic you’d like to discuss? Visit his expert page and send him an email!
Michael J. Katz is Founder and Chief Penguin of Blue Penguin Development, Inc., (http://www.BluePenguinDevelopment.com) a Boston area consulting firm that helps clients increase sales by showing them how to nurture their existing relationships, and that specializes in the development of electronic newsletters. He is the author of the book, E-Newsletters That Work.
