about Simplicity

Simplicity is a small creative marketing & web design company. The concept behind Simplicity is to provide hands-on, practical and creative marketing support for your business to get you up and running; give you a competitive edge, and let you concentrate on your business.

To find out more about us, please click here; or call us to discuss how we can help.

simplify, edition #7

Email Marketing. How to build an opt-in email list.

Email Marketing - One Step Further. In our last article entitled 'Email Marketing Legislation. What does it mean to you?', we discussed some of the legalities around the subject of email marketing. We established that the key to successful email marketing is to get people to WANT to receive your mailing; to opt-in. Here are some interesting facts. Did you know that online buyers require your product or service to be placed in front of them an average of 7 times before they actually make the decision buy from you? Did you know that repeat customers spend 33% more than new customers? Did you know that up to 69% of email users make purchases online after receiving permission-based email marketing?

Your opted-in email list is your 'little goldmine'; and acts as a constant source of traffic for you. All very well, but how can you build an opted-in email marketing list? You have a few options: create your own list; buy a list, or both. Today we shall focus on your 'home-grown' contact list.

Here are 10 simple and effective ways how you can build your own list of qualified, opted-in contacts.

• Customers. Collate a list of all your current customers and add to that list with each new sale. Also make sure your employees are asking every customer if they would like to be on your list.
• Networking events. You are likely to meet a number of contacts at a business networking session. Exchange business cards and ask your contacts if they would be interested in receiving your email communications full of interesting and informative information and offers.
• Website email sign-up. Put an email sign-up box on your website, and start collecting opted-in email addresses. These people have already shown interest in your products or services, so make the most of that interest; and let them know WHY they'll benefit from being on your mailing list.
• Email signature. Include an email subscription link in your email signature and ensure that your contacts are only a click away from signing up to your mailing list.
• Publish an article. People trust experts! Article marketing sets you out as an expert in your niche. Write quality content and people will want more of what you have to offer and trust you with their email addresses.
• Mailings & flyers. Place a note at the bottom of your print communications with a link to an online email subscription page to easily join your list via your website.
• Online forums & blogs. Respond to comments on forums and bogs, answer questions and give advice when you can. Most forums allow you to create a signature line which you can set up with the link to your newsletter opt-in on your website. Another excellent way to build trust and promote your expertise.
• Social networking. Consider building a page on the various social networking sites or build your own fan club with a link back to your online opt-in form only one click-away.
• Events, tradeshows, seminars & workshops. Consider offering a giveaway prize draw in exchange for explicit opt-in. Display a sign-up sheet so people can register. Mention your value-add email services in pre- and post-event mailings.
• Think viral. Create a 'forward to a friend' link in your e-communications. If your content is useful and interesting, people will want to spread the word and refer you to their contacts.

Do take the time to build your high quality, well-segmented, permission-based e-mail database; and above all, keep it current. Remember that business data decays at 30% every year! An effective, targeted email marketing campaign can drive traffic to your website, build trust with your target audience, keep them informed, engaged, and can turn leads into sales.

How can Simplicity help? Simplicity provides a complete eMarketing service from conception to completion. We can Create, Send, Track, and Manage your campaign from start to finish. You will receive a full report about the success of your campaign with real time results. You won't just know which messages were received, bounced or blocked, you'll know exactly who's opened your messages, even which links they have clicked on. Whatever your level of expertise, we are always on hand to help.

Bitesize, the next step. In our final edition on email marketing we'll give you some tips on how to send effective email communications. Missed an edition? Catch up by clicking here.

Learn more about Simplicity: View our services; or simply contact us to discuss how we can help. You can also download the full article by clicking here: Article download.

Who? Simplicity is a small web design and creative marketing company. For whom? We specialise in working with small, medium and start-up businesses. Why? Small feet, big shoes; just because you’re a small business does not mean you don’t need to get your message out there in a big way. What’s it all about? We help make your marketing and design matter, be known, be heard, be found; and make the pieces fit. It's not just about your products and sevices, it's about the whole experience. What’s the difference? Personal. We strongly believe in the personal approach to doing business. Creative. We fuse strategy & creativity into one compelling voice. No fuzz. We are practical & hands-on; passionate about what we do; and practice what we preach. Focus. We specialise in working with small companies and start-ups. Ideas. Ideas are the currency of our business. Ideas can have the power to change minds, transform brands and even make a difference to the bottom line. How much? Because we’re a small company without the high set-up costs of larger marketing firms and the fancy London postcode, we don’t charge London rates and are able to pass on some cost savings to our clients. What’s in the mix? [The Roadmap] Marketing Planning & Strategy: Get your marketing up and running. [Image Works] Branding & Brand Identity: Define who you are, what you can see, touch, feel, hear and watch. [A Box Of Chocolates] Demand Generation & Integrated Marketing Campaigns: Integrated marketing in harmony & style. The ideal blend of marketing initiatives. [The Bigger Picture] Website Design: Every website tells a story. Let your website do the work for you. [A Refreshing Change] Website Re-Design: Give your website an inspiring facelift. [The Perfect Pitch] Collateral Design: You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. What is the concept? Simplexity. The concept behind Simplicity is to simplify complex matters and make the pieces fit. Simplicity, where ideas come to life.

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