There are seemingly endless ways to grow your creative business online, what with all the different social media platforms we have access too, but if your focus is solely on building your social following, you’re doing your business a disservice.

Moving those contacts from Facebook or Instagram to your mailing list is one of the most powerful (and profitable) things you can do. You see, if you can only access your audience through a third party channel, they’re not really “yours”. If that platform were to close down all of a sudden, you would lose all of those engaged followers… but if each of those people is also on your email list, you’ll always be able to get in touch.

Another benefit to putting more focus on your mailing list is that you know those subscribers are interested in YOU, what you do and have to offer. When you email them, it’s because they’ve expressed interest in your content… you’re not broadcasting blindly in the hope that people will find you.

Emails are also more likely to be read, as social media posts often fall prey to scrolling fingers and short attention spans.

Now that you know WHY you should work on growing a mailing list, let’s look at HOW to go about it.

Step #1: Set up an account with an email marketing platform

An email marketing platform is a tool that allows you to collect email subscribers, email them, and track your metrics (those are the numbers that tell you how many people open your emails, etc.). In other words, it will give you everything you need in order to figure out what kind of content your audience enjoys, and what they’re most likely to click to further explore.

This data can be really helpful for when you want to start selling your creative products and services.

There are lots of options out there, but I now use FloDesk. It’s really intuitive, beautiful and easy to use, as well as being one of the more cost-effective options due to its flat rate pricing structure. It costs $39 a month no matter how many subscribers you have. How awesome that you can grow your list without the worry of your costs increasing. FloDesk is currently the new kid on the block so they are working through development and they are offering beta pricing of $19 a month for life - 50% off! This won’t last long, so pop over and give it a spin free for 30 days!

Step #2: Gather your existing contacts

Ok, so you’ve got that empty list set up… now to start adding some names!

The first thing to do is to think back to any creative events you’ve participated in. Have you ever had a stand at a craft fair or exhibited at a local gallery? If the answer is yes, chances are you’ll have collected the contact details of a few people who wanted to stay touch. Add them to your list. Be sure that you have permission to send them “marketing” emails.

Now look back to anyone who has bought something from you online, whether it was a printable, a piece of original art or a creative tutorial. Send them an email following up on their purchase and ask them if they’d like to be added to your mailing list. Highlight the benefits of being part of your list, for example, it’s their way to get access to exclusive creative tips.

Next, reach out to your little black book of personal contacts. Send them a message explaining this journey you’re taking into creative entrepreneurship. Again, asking if they would like to be added to your mailing list.

One thing you MUST remember is that you cannot add anybody to your email list without their express permission, so always make sure to ask if you’re adding contacts manually.

Step #3: Create your opt-in incentive

Pretty much every creative entrepreneur you come across online will have at least one “lead magnet” on offer (that’s another way to describe a freebie that you offer in exchange for someone joining your list).

This could be:

An ebook
A worksheet
An mini-workshop
A printable
An email course

If you can create something really inspiring, it will be super easy getting people to signup for your list.

Here is an example of one of my lead magnets:

Step #4: Share far, share wide

Once you’ve put together your opt-in incentive, start sharing it everywhere you can, over and over again. You want to be doing everything you can to encourage people to join your mailing list.

Here are a few places to get you started:

Your Facebook page
Instagram
Relevant Facebook groups (as long as it abides by group rules)
Twitter
Pinterest
Your email signature
Blog posts
Youtube videos
A pop up on your website
The sidebar and footer of your website

Step #5: Email them!

If you’ve put all this effort into growing your mailing list, please don’t ignore those subscribers once you have them!

Make a point of keeping in touch regularly, even if that’s just once a week. This is what we call “nurturing” your list, so that when you come to sell something it doesn’t seem out of the blue.

If you have any questions about starting or growing an email list of your own, drop them in the comments below - I’m happy to help!|

Have a blessed day!

roben-marie

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