We all know how much hard work and energy goes into bringing your new product or service idea to life.
The road doesn’t stop there, however. Building a full-blown website to host that fresh creation requires even more of your precious time. So, why wait until you have all those significant to-dos checked off your hefty list to build your new customer roster?
And, no, I’m not talking about just any kind of roster. I’m talking about your list of email subscribers. After all, email isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Plus, it’s something you own—unlike the Facebook likes we all try so hard to get. (Yes, contrary to popular belief, Facebook owns those likes!) Not to mention, it’s something that’ll help you get a big W in your books when it comes to hunting for conversions for your new product or service release.
It’s true. In fact, as Harsh Agrawal, a passionate blogger and blog scientist, says:
“If you are not building an email list, you are leaving money on the table.”
Though, I know what you may be thinking.
Monica, I obviously need a website first to build an email list. I need a place to send my people!
Well, what if I told you that you actually don’t? That you can get started today—without a website? You might think I’m a little bit crazy for saying that. But, this isn’t a new concept by any means.
You curious now? I thought so. For that reason, I’m here to unveil exactly how you can create and grow an email list that will get you a new customer roster in no time. If you’re ready to hear my two cents, let’s not waste any time because this is something you’ll want to start ASAP.
1. Give people a reason to sign up.
This step is all about the law of sacrifice. We all know that if you want to get something, you have to give something. Therefore, consider creating a valuable gift, so to speak, to hand over to your potential customers if they provide you with that sought-after email address of theirs.
Okay, I know the amount of “free time” you have on your side is extremely limited. So, what makes me think you have time to create a freebie to build and grow your email list?
Because it’s necessary. And, if something is necessary for the success of your business, you’ll find the time to do it.
Right?
I thought so. Therefore, really reflect on what your audience needs and wants (ex. On the topic of a problem they’ve been having that you’re here to solve, etc.). And, get to crafting something around that! Put together a checklist of all the steps they need to complete a specific task. Or, share a secret or little-known method of how to accomplish something in a short amount of time.
The opportunities for simple gifts are truly endless (see my blog post here with more examples!). But, no matter which one you choose to execute, there’s no doubt it’ll help you bring sizable growth to your email list.
2. Set up a landing page to host the freebie & encourage sign-ups.
This probably seems like a no-brainer to you. And, while it’s an obvious step in the process, many entrepreneurs don’t give it the time it needs (and deserves).
In fact, they end up creating a stellar opt-in freebie, but then let it sit on the digital shelf for months collecting dust because they just don’t know what to do with it.
Nope. I’m not about to let that happen to you, my friend. Instead, I’m going to share my favorite all-in-one sales funnel tool that even includes auto-responders and tracking so you won’t need to use an email service like ActiveCampaign.
Ready to hear what it is?
It’s called ClickFunnels. To set up your opt-in landing page using this tool, simply follow these steps:
- Within the Funnels section, click + Add New at the top to add a new funnel to your account.
- After that, you’ll be prompted to select the goal of the funnel. Click Collect Emails.
- Give this funnel a name and, if you want, select or set up a group tag for it. Group tags are essential to help you keep track of things, especially if you plan on building out future funnels.
- Once you create it, select a template for each page from the vast variety of designs within ClickFunnels.
- Lastly, enter the editor and finish customizing your funnel steps—from your landing page to your thank you page, autoresponder, and more!
And, while you’re at it, just be sure your landing page includes these key components:
- An attention-grabbing headline that relates to your opt-in freebie
- A brief description of the opt-in
- A bulleted list of valuable insight your ideal customer can expect to get from submitting their email address in return for the opt-in
- An image of the opt-in (think the cover page)
- A business logo to instill trust in your brand
- A contact form that asks for only the necessary information (first name & email address)
- And, a compelling call to action button to get the job done
To see all of these components in action, set your sights on this awesome opt-in landing page from none other than Wrike, a project management application. It’s short, simple, and to the point. What do you think?
(source)
3. Get creative with driving traffic to your landing page.
Now, you officially have the logistics checked off your list. But, what about actually driving traffic to your landing page, and most importantly, your opt-in freebie to gain those new email subscribers (aka potential new customers of your upcoming product or service release)?
Take a look at my recommendations below, which I’m confident will bring you nothing but traffic!
- Guest Blog Posts and/or Articles—taking the time to write great content for entrepreneurs who have an audience similar to yours can work wonders for your business. And, most of the time, a link to your site will be provided in your bio within the post. That’s the perfect spot to pop in your landing page URL and drive traffic to your opt-in freebie to ramp up your subscriber list.
- Industry Forums—scout out ones that are reputable and also relate to the topic of your opt-in freebie. Then, provide answers to relevant threats by giving your potential customers a solution and even sharing a link to your landing page. You can tease the fact that the page contains the complete solution—from top to bottom.
- Advertising—look to the most popular social media platform, Facebook, to reach members of your target audience you might not have otherwise been able to. Set up a Facebook traffic ad that specifically targets members of your audience, and directs them to your landing page. For more information on this, our friends at Closer’s Cafe are always dishing out some great tips!
- Affiliate Support—find partners who will cross-promote with you! While they won’t necessarily earn a commission on bringing you new sign-ups and leads, you can choose to award them with a referral. I wrote a blog post on this topic, which I think you might enjoy reading after you’re done here!
You see, just because you don’t have an extensive website up and running doesn’t mean everything in your business has to come to a halt. Get creative in building up your new customer roster—aka your email subscriber list—to build a solid foundation for your upcoming product or service launch. And, one that brings you much success from here on out!
If you want even more opt-in ideas that will have your ideal customers clicking their mouse at the speed of lightning to join your email list, I have just the thing for you—a free copy of 20 Opt-In Bait Ideas to Leverage More Conversions.
To get it delivered to your inbox right away, just drop your email address in the box on the right side of your screen, and it’s yours!
Have questions or something to share about building your email list from scratch—without a website? Let me know in the comments section below. I’d love to hear from you!
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