Inexpensive Methods for Building a Mailing List

When you're trying to build a mailing list, you can always shell out your hard-earned money for data on people or even buy specially made or general mailing lists. But what if you're on a tight budget? Well, there are still ways to work on building up that mailing list without breaking the bank.

Easy Does It

First, make signing up to the mailing list fast and easy. People turn away from websites that are too complex or confusing. It’s said that the average person only peruses a website for a few seconds before moving on. So, complexity will lose you people and they won’t sign up to your mailing list. Make your opt-in box obvious and easy to fill in.

More is Better

Put a link to sign up for your mailing list everywhere on your website! On your homepage, on your blog, in your archive. Everywhere! Don't rely on people clicking on your mailing list subscriber link the first time they see it and don't fool yourself that they will click back to a previous web page in order to find that elusive mailing list link. They won't do it.

Offer Something for Free

Next, build your mailing list through a contest that encourages people to sign up other members and win prizes. You can do this by putting a blurb on your website saying that anyone who signs up so many new members in a week will get a prize, such as a picture, gift certificate, or free membership (if you charge for that). All you have to do is buy a gift certificate and give it to the winner. You can easily do this using Amazon.com's easy-to-use service.

Friends and Family

Finally, you will want your subscribers to get their friends and family members to join. So, make it easy for them to forward your newsletter to other people. Add the old "forward to a friend" link to anything you send out. As with everything on your website, building your mailing list comes down to making it easy to use, join, and spread the word about. The easier you make it, the more likely it is that your mailing list will grow. If it does, so will your online business and profits.