If Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook were to disappear tomorrow, would your business survive? With these platforms, they decide what your audience sees, or if they see it at all. Do you have a way of getting ahold of your clients? Of your fans? Or your followers? THIS is one reason why it is important to have an email list. Having a back-up plan is really important.
Connecting with your audience is another really important reason. Your e-mails are a chance to make the person receiving them feel special and individualized. This in turn creates a closer, more personal connection and gives them a sense of trust making them more likely to choose you when they are ready to purchase that custom art piece for their living room. Consider building this list an investment. Over time you will build a faithful following which will show its value as time passes.
Email is King.
Repeat after me: Email is KING!
If you haven't started your email list, you will now. Having an email list is so very important for business.
Why is having an EMAIL LIST so important?
Email is your backup plan. It's your insurance in case your social media fails/changes...
It's also a list of your most loyal fans. (This is important)
Emails have a much higher success rate for reaching your people, then any social platform.
It's also YOURS. You own it.
You can build intimate relationships with the emails you write.
Your readers can refer back to it and search for anything you send them, whenever they like. (including coupons!) Can't do that on Tiktok...
They can stay up to date with your happenings.
Your audience can feel more connected to you and your brand.
What is one of the first things you do in the morning? For me, it is check my phone and my email. I know I am not alone. Email is effective in reaching your people for this reason. They will actually see what you send them (personally delivered to them), and that is half the battle. Your email list will naturally consist of your biggest supporters, and is a great way for you to connect with them on a more personal level.
How do I start an email list?
It is not hard to start an email list, you just have to do it. There are tons of free platforms that will get you started. I used to use Mailchimp before I had the squarespace integration. A lot of website hosts include a feature like this as well (usually at an extra cost). They make it easy to set it up and integrate it with your site making it cohesive with the look and feel of your branding. Once you come up with your first template and design, subsequent emails become much easier.
How do I get people to sign up for my email list?
To get people signed up, I suggest an incentive. You want to provide them with a reason to sign up in the first place. A free gift when they sign up can be a good way to get them in the door. This could easily be a printable or digital download of some sort. Keeping the overhead low is key here.
Also, make sure it’s easy to sign up. Include an area on your website that is clear and simple to fill out. Let people know on instagram and other social media platforms you have an awesome monthly newsletter filled with good stuff. Include those incentives for them to sign up in your Pinterest marketing and all other social media platforms you use.
I have a list, now what do i do? What do I even put in an email?
Think about sending out a monthly newsletter. This acts as a good reminder to your people about your business and what you offer. Give your email list coupons, special discounts, first access, behind-the-scenes information, freebies, and sneak peeks. Get them excited to open that email. Get them excited to learn more about you and the person behind the art and business, on a much more exclusive level. Think about what you would like to see in an email? Remember these are your most loyal customers. These are your best clients. Serve them well, and they will tell their friends.
Still not convinced?
What is the first thing you do in the morning? If you are like me, it is check your email. “Turns out 92% of adults in the US have an email address, and 61% of them check it DAILY!” (Quote from Alex Cattoni). That's huge!