It doesn’t matter if you start to pull your event together within the next few days or a few weeks, you are going to need to get details of it in front of as many eyeballs as you can.
Attracting attention to your event through email marketing is an extremely effective way to reach people. It can be executed in a number of different ways. The energy you put in to an email campaign can pay off immediately, especially if your email list is extensive to begin with. Not to worry if your list is small or even non existent. Building up your email list is something you can and should be doing through out the year not only during the event planning process. It is better for the organization to begin building that list as soon as possible.
With all that being said, we have put together 5 methods that will help you get your list rolling:
First of all, understand that the most effective way to go about getting someone to share their personal information, is to provide some sort of reward. When looking at the methods to grow your email list below, you will always want to be considering ways to entice people to sign up. This can be done through special discounts or coupons for lower prices of items you intend to sell.
When sending out emails be sure to add a signup link
People who view your marketing messages sent via email may not necessarily be individuals on your current list. This occurs because people you are on your list are sharing your information, which is something you want. You want to make it easy to capture the email addresses of these people who found you via “word of email.” so to speak.
In order to do this all you need to do is insert a “join our mailing list” link to the body or footers of your promotional emails. In addition to this opt-in, everyone associated with your organization should have a signup link for your list within their email signature.
Enable a “text-to-join” option on your website
Texting is where it’s at these days and visitors to your website might be more apt to give you their email information if they can text you with it. You do not need to have this option available through your website. The goal is to ease the process and increase your prospects. For example, if you’re out and meet someone, they can text the required word to an associated number in order to join your mailing list. There are numerous services that will meet these requirements although there is generally a monthly charge. Taking this a step further, you should include this information on business cards. You can give your business card to potential donors virtually anywhere you go.
Your main website needs to have a form to collect email information
If your website doesn’t already have an email signup form, then you’ll want to add one immediately. People who have invested time and energy to find your website are generally interested in getting more valuable information from you in some form. It is essential to make this process as easy as possible for them to do. An email signup form/pop up form, is one of the easiest ways to accomplish this. Make the form easy to find and you should be golden.
Put past registrants from events on your current email list
If you have email lists from previous events available, make sure to add these people to your current email list. Generally, repeat attendees will appreciate receiving “early bird” registration, special information or other notifications ahead of your general list. We strongly recommend segmenting your list, for example past attendees, prospects, donors only and so on. This practice will allow the organization to send target emails to certain individuals.
Utilize social networking sites like Facebook to build your email list
Social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram are one of the best ways to connect with prospects and add new subscribers to your list. On the organization’s Facebook page, place a link to join the email list. Do not make the process complicated or people will not bother to subscribe.
You can decide to create a Facebook Ad and/or boost a post, in the form of an ad that will allow you to target a specific demographics which the organization can determine. Narrowing down your reach to targeted groups will enable the organization to use their advertising dollars more effectively. Why target to the United States when your event is in one small area?
All of the above methods will help to grow your list. That process will never stop. Having a larger list will certainly help the organization going forward. After all, that’s what it is all about.