Its no secret that social media is a fantastic marketing tool if you know how to use it. Social media use measures in the billions and many platforms extend to foreign nations opening up huge markets. The problem is that so many companies get wrapped up in their following, they forget to funnel those leads into a convertible email list. If there is a problem with the social media account or it is suddenly suspended, then all is lost.

Studies show that people still prefer reading advertisements via email and the vast majority of internet users check their email multiple times daily. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that email is the best conversion tool out there. The key to a massive ROI is learning to turn social media followers into a convertible email list. Below are a few tips for getting those email addresses and ensuring that they are receptive to you, so your communications don’t end up in the spam folder or the junk box.

Start The Conversation With Twitter

No, simply tweeting some random thought or relevant business topic is not enough. You need to start hosting regular Twitter Chats in your specialized niche. Be creative and target audience engagement. If you are a fitness guru, make it about fitness and accountability or diet and exercise. There is a lot of flexibility here, but it is imperative to choose a topic your audience is really interested in, so they will participate. You will likely meet new users with each chat and grow your audience while building those relationships so vital to marketing. This only helps if you create and use Lead Generation Cards specifically for these chats. They will allow you to collect the email addresses of participants and incorporate a call-to-action.

Spend A Little Dough On Facebook

Spending a little money on a Facebook Ad typically pays for itself and can produce dramatic results almost immediately. The best part is that you’ll be able to target your exact demographic audience. Of course, the ad will need to be carefully optimized to produce results. This means the copy, the image and the message need to be harmoniously optimized for SEO and your audience. The other secret to gathering email leads this way is to offer something of value in return. It utilizes the same idea as gated content but combining this strategy with an optimized Facebook Ad produces immediate and powerful results. You’ll want to read your metrics and tweak your campaign accordingly but wait 48 hours or more to do so.

Leverage The Network of LinkedIn

LinkedIn brings together like-minded professionals and entrepreneurs, so it’s a great platform on which to generate leads. First you need to make sure that your profile is optimized to attract the audience you want. Then set up a group and spend time growing it. The advanced search feature will help you find the first few hundred or more contacts. You’ll have to connect with them individually and invite them to be part of your group. Post articles of your own or relevant articles from others and encourage discussion. Once your group starts to grow, you’ll be in a good position to utilize a lead magnet. Invite group members to join your email list in exchange for something valuable.

A massive social media following creates brand awareness, but funneling those connections into a convertible email list marks professionalism. It will also take your business to the next level. It does require effort, dedication and maybe even a little money but the growth in revenues is worth every single bit of it.