Email marketing has consistently remained an effective way to develop long-term relationships with your audience. However, while email can be used to develop a relationship, it is often a challenge to secure subscribers. Most people are inundated with emails, so they are reluctant to subscribe to new lists. Simply building a newsletter will not be enough, leading to a low conversion rate. There are, though, a number of ways to ensure greater numbers of visitors are eager to join you. The following methods can be tested and, in most cases, will lead to improvements in subscriber numbers.

Free Gifts

A simple newsletter will only really attract your most loyal followers. If you run a blog, joining a list might entice your most loyal readers. For most people, though, you will have to offer an incentive. A free gift related to your niche can encourage people, helping to create some immediate value. A gift could be a report that offers valuable information, a simple app, or a physical item where the subscribers cover postage costs. The best gifts are highly targeted, easy to understand, and provide clear value.

Competitions

A competition can feel more engaging that joining an email list, adding an element of fun to the process. Of course, you need to make it clear that entrants will be subscribing to your list, but you can detail the value of doing so. The competition prize should be highly targeted, helping to avoid people only looking for something free. Additionally, you can add a viral element by asking entrants to share the competition on social media for additional credits.

Small Commitments

Asking for an email can appear to be a big first step in an interaction with a visitor. It is natural for people to focus on the negative connotations of email marketing, thinking about unread messages and sales pitches. To overcome this issue, you could ask for small commitments, such as answering a quiz or consuming some teaser content, before then requesting an email. Breaking the process up into individual stages can reduce the reluctance visitors often feel.

Surveys

A survey can be a valuable way of gaining visitor data, helping you to shape your overall business. A survey can also, though, be used to increase email opt-ins by offering an incentive to take part. Many people like to give their thoughts about a site or product, but want a free gift to take part. You can send the gift via email, making it clear they are joining your list. In this example, the focus has been moved away from joining a list, with the survey taking center stage.

In the early years of email, many people were excited to join email newsletters, looking forward to the content. Now, however, businesses need to work much harder to secure new subscribers. It is also necessary to manage your list effectively, providing content that engages your audience. The first major challenge is to actually build the list, so increasing opt-ins is of vital importance. If you can implement these methods into your email campaigns, you should see your conversion rate moving in the right direction.