5 Tips for Building a Revenue-Generating Mailing List for Email Marketing

1.  Ask for email addresses at the point of sale.  If customers purchase from you once, and you do a good job, there's a high likelihood they'll purchase from you again. Tell them they will be notified about discounts on selected items and exclusive email-only specials, and given first notice of sales by signing up for your mailing list, either online or in person.

2.  Promote (or start) a loyalty program. A loyalty program makes customers feel special with the promise of exclusive members-only benefits. You can encourage customers to sign up for yours (and give you their email address) with an on-the-spot discount or a special offer, such as a free gift.

3. Offer free information. You may not realize that by sharing a little bit of your business expertise for free, you can entice customers and prospects to give you their email information. For example, if you're a photographer, you can offer simple tips on how to take better, more interesting photos at family events. If you run a garden shop, you can offer tips on preparing garden beds in the spring and winter, how to care for plants in a draught, etc.  And all anyone needs to do to get that information is give you an email address to send it to. Simple!

4. Conduct a poll or survey. Include a poll about something relevant to your business on your website, or use cards and a box in a store location. As a thank-you for participating, oOffer a free gift or discount that will be sent to each respondent's email address.

5.  Hold a contest.  Offer a prize (or series of prizes) to anyone who signs up for your mailing list. In a restaurant, set up a fishbowl and collect business cards for a drawing for a free appetizer, meal, or party. An accountant can offer a free
consultation; a real estate agent can offer a free home inspection or energy
assessment.

Source: www.marketingprofs.com