Email List Building Basics
History has shown us the importance of building an email list for businesses.
Before you start trying all of the email list building hacks, you hear, focus on the basics.
Once you have a solid email marketing strategy in place, the other email marketing strategies will put the icing on the cake.
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Email List Building Basics Artists Must Know
There are many tactics that businesses are using to build their email list.
Big and small business owners know the importance of owning an extensive email list.
Your email list will be your biggest asset and will be the only guarantee you have to communicate with your fans.
As an artist, you will have two ways to gather emails from collectors and potential collectors.
You will be able to receive an email online and offline.
Before I go into how to optimize your online and offline efforts, I want to ask you a couple of questions.
What Type Of People Would You Like On Your List
The only people whom you want on your list are the people interested in learning more about you and your art.
Why would you want someone’s email address if they have no interest in purchasing your work?
So many people get caught up in the number of email subscribers that they lose focus on what the purpose of an email list is.
The purpose is to increase sales.
Don’t get caught up in building a fluffy list so you can brag to all of your friends.
Instead, put your energy into seeking out the person who is interested in what you have to offer.
When it is all said and done, what will pay your bills, an email list of 5,000 and no sales, or an email list of 100 and 25 sales?
Focusing on the basics will help you sell more art online.
Email List Building Basics – What Is Your “Why?”
There are a few questions that you will want to answer before you start building your list.
The first question that you will want to answer is, “Why do you want to build an email list?“
- Are you interested in providing information about new artwork for sale?
- Are you interested in providing educational information?
- Are you interested in offering event information?
Once you have a clear vision of your email’s purpose, you will then be able to start finding the people who would be interested in what you have to offer.
“What?”
After you have a clear vision of your “why?” you will then want to answer, “What will you be providing to your email list?”
You want to be able to explain to your audience what they will be receiving when joining your list.
Providing detailed information will allow them to decide whether they wish to receive emails from you. Keep in mind that you want people reading what you have to say, not just trashing an unopen email.
“When?”
Once you have someone interested in joining your list, you will want to let them know when they will be able to expect your emails.
Providing this information will help you in a couple of ways.
First, you will look more professional and responsible. You will be building trust before they receive their first email from you.
Second, you will have them looking forward to your email, which will increase open rates.
“How?”
The most important question that you will have to answer is, “How will your reader benefit from your content?”
What is in it for them?
You are writing for your reader. Respect your reader’s time and provide them with valuable information to continue to open your emails.
Now that you can answer why, what, when, and how you are ready to reach out to people and build your email list. There will be two places that you will be able to gather emails, and you will want to take advantage of both opportunities.
Offline Email List Building Basics
Probably the easiest way to collect a person’s email is in person and many times overlooked.
How many times have you lost the chance to ask for someone’s email?
That one person might have become a loyal collector of your artwork.
Never let an opportunity slip through your fingers.
If a person shows interest in your art, ask them for their email.
You will already be prepared to explain in detail what your email has to offer.
If you do not have a clear vision of what your email has to offer, go back and answer the why, what, when, and how questions.
You want to be able to communicate your message at any given time.
Have a strategic plan to collect emails at the events that you host or craft shows.
Both places are an excellent opportunity to grow your list with quality people interested in your art.
Make it easy for them.
Provide them with a writing utensil and a professional-looking sign-up form.
Online Email List Building Basics
You have several ways that you can obtain emails online. You will want to optimize every option available to you.
The easiest way for you to collect an email is when you land an online sale. The person is already interested in what you have to offer.
Many businesses will add a person’s email to their mailing list after they have made a purchase.
I prefer to ask them after the sale to join my email list.
I will explain what my newsletters offer and when they should expect them.
By doing it this way I am certain I am abiding with the CAN-SPAM ACT.
The CAN-SPAM Act establishes requirements for commercial messages.
You can obtain permission to join your email list by sending a request to join your newsletter after the purchase has been made.
Another way you can gather emails are by opt-in emails. Opt-in email defined by Wikipedia is,
“a term used when someone is given the option to receive email. Typically, this is some mailing list, newsletter, or advertising. Without obtaining permission before sending, the email is unsolicited bulk email, better known as spam.”
The most common place to add an opt-in email form is on a website or blog. You can also add an opt-in email form to most social media networks such as Facebook and Twitter.
Final Thoughts On Email List Building Basics
The email list building basics is only knowing the why, what, when, and how. Once you have the basics down, you will be more productive with more advanced strategies.
Once you have the basics down, you will be more productive with more advanced strategies.
You will be able to implement these email list building basics quickly on a WordPress site.
If you are considering using WordPress, I use and recommend SiteGround for a hosting service.
Popular Art Marketing And Sales Tutorials
Below are some of the most famous art marketing courses that will grow your online art business:
Most Popular – How to Make a Living Selling What You Make by Megan Auman
Most Popular – Build a Successful Creative Blog by April Bowles-Olin
How to Build a Business While Learning Your Craft by Megan Auman
Pinterest Marketing for Makers & Designers by Megan Auman
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