Let's Make Yours the Best Email List Ever

Offer incentives for signing up. It's amazing how a freebie or a chance to win a prize can be just what a person needs to "take the plunge" and sign up for your email list. Your giveaway doesn't have to be costly; it can be as simple as sharing your expertise in the form of a free white paper or guide. Make it clear to those who sign up that they will be added to your list.

Run a "Forward to a Friend Contest." In your email newsletter, let your contacts know that if they use the "Forward to a Friend" link to send this month's newsletter to at least one new recipient, they'll be entered into a drawing for a prize. An email marketing service provider lets you see which subscribers forwarded your email to a friend.

Partner with a related business or organization. Think of a business or organization that's related to your business, but isn't a competitor. Work together to promote each other's email communications to your customers. Some good partnership examples are a tax accountant and a financial planner, a public relations firm and a Web site designer, or a theater and a nearby restaurant. Highlight your partner as a guest writer in your newsletter and ask that they do the same for you. At the end of each article, invite readers to join that author's email list.