Timotheus Update: This post was originally published on 13 April 2022 on this website – Passive Online Revenue. Due to rebranding and consolidation of the two sites, the post is now on this website – https://timotheuslee.com/digital-marketing/dos-and-donts-of-building-an-email-list-episode-2-email-marketing-101/
Hi Everyone! Last week, I gave you the 11 Steps to do Email Marketing.
In today’s video, we are going to discuss the Do’s and Don’ts of Building an Email List. Without further adieu, let’s dive right in.
Digital Marketing 101 Series
The Email Marketing series is part of the Digital 101 Series. Earlier, I did the SEO series. Here are some of the topics covered:
- Episode 1 – Ultimate Guide to Digital Marketing: 9 Strategies That Work
- Episode 2 – Introduction to SEO
- Episode 3 – Keywords and Keyword Research
- Episode 4 – On Page SEO – Title Tag
- More Digital Marketing Strategies and Tactics
Watch: Do’s and Don’ts of Building an Email List | Episode 2 | Digital Marketing 101
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Or if you prefer to Read, continue from here.
The Do’s of Building an Email List
First off, your signup process should tell subscribers who you are. Show your logo, company or blog full name, description of your business or you. Anything to show that you are a legitimate business.
Next, the type of content you will be sending your list must be consistent with what your subscribers signed up for.
For example, when you sign up with Passive Online Revenue, you should be getting business and marketing information. But if you receive email from us about food or travel, you will be confused.
Some people may even report your email as spam.
Another important thing to do is to tell your subscribers how often you will send them emails. Is it daily, weekly or fortnightly?
You can also give your subscribers a choice, whether they would like daily emails or a weekly digest of them.
Another thing you must do is to always make sure that your subscribers know can unsubscribe from the list at any time.
Next, keep your forms secure. This will help to avoid signup form threats.
An example of a threat are spam bots. Spam bots can signup with a made up email address.
Sending your emails to them can be viewed and reported as a spam. So, you don’t want to have such email addresses on your list.
There’s also list bombing. This is when the victim’s email box flooded with as much email as possible. This makes the victim angry and lose functionality of their email address.
To prevent the above, have double opt-in and captchas.
Double opt-in is when you send confirmation email to the subscriber before adding them to the list.
You should also use captchas to prevent bots from submitting to your form.
Finally, remember to do regular housekeeping of your lists. Remove unsubscribes, address that bounces or reported spam complaints.
GetResponse has an automatic function that helps you clean the list.
Keep on top of list cleaning and re-engagement.
The Don’t of Building an Email List
Don’t purchase email lists. Many of these lists for sale may possibly contain spam threats. Even just one of these spam threats can ruin your reputation.
Avoid the following:
- Unavailable or non-existent mailboxes
- Email addresses designed for one purpose or job role like info@, team@, listserv@
- Known complainers or anti-abuse professionals.
- Publicly available lists or hacks.
- Bought, borrowed, rented, given or hand-me-down lists.
Do’s and Don’ts of Building an Email List | Episode 2 | Digital Marketing 101
Timotheus Final Word
for Passive Online Revenue
Remember all the above points when you are building your email list.
It’s not easy. There is a lot of work to be done. Especially, when your list grows into the hundreds or thousands.
But, you must do it to keep your list healthy. And also, so that you can safely send emails that can reach your subscribers.
Do you have any questions about this topic – Do’s and Don’ts of Building an Email List? Let me know in the comments below.
I will continue to post articles about digital marketing on this website. If you like to get more digital marketing tips and info, remember to join my I Love Passive Income Community to get updated whenever I publish it.
I wish you immense wealth and success!
Timotheus
Passive Online Revenue
Your resource for online passive income opportunities