Why Your Email List Isn't Growing

Email Marketing has the highest ROI percentage. 

According to Oberlo businesses can expect on average a $42 return for every $1 spent on email marketing.  That's insane.  Compared to paid advertising which is around $1 for every $2 spent according to Browser Media. Needless to say, email is here to stay and if your list is half-baked or not engaged, we need to fix that dude ASAP. (channeling a dad-ism there!)

If you just said, holy shiitake Alisa, my email is broken.

Then don't panic my friend, because I've got you covered with 10 tips to get your email strategy back on track so that you are cha-ching 💵 ringing in more sales in no time.  This week in Episode 79 I am giving you the inside scoop on how to clean up your email act and start gaining conversions. You can listen to the entire scoop over here.

In the meantime, let's jump into that list:

#1 - No one wants your super cute download.

But you spent so much time on it and it's pretty and branded. But, as I often tell my clients, pretty doesn't pay the bills, useful does. We get stuck in the mode of design - thinking so much about our colors and fonts - that we don't realize we aren't solving a problem and so no one is listening. If no one is paying attention, no one is giving you their email address and your list isn't growing. The other pitfalls of clever downloads are that they are copycat material of other downloads out there and don't cater to an audience.  They are too broad. Narrow that sucker down like a chocolate cake on Weight Watchers points. Lastly, your opt-in could be suffering if it's not relevant or outdated. People want what's happening here, now and driving them to crazy town to be fixed pronto!

#2 - Nobody know you have an opt-in.

Oh dear, do I know about this one first hand. Beautiful opt-in, check. Packed with value, check. Solves a problem, check. Promoted to all my ideal customers - crickets.  Oh, shoot! Forgot to promote the darn thing.

Here's the thing - if you don't tell people about your opt-in there isn't a magical internet fairy that will tell them about it. I go into more detail during Episode 79 this week. Give it a listen here. But in the meantime, get out there and start spreading the news so you can test that baby.

#3 - Your email is B-O-R-I-N-G

Think back to when you picked up your phone today. It was probably sometime this morning and if you are one of the OCD people (raising hand) who clears out their notifications each day, then you know exactly how many emails came in overnight and early this morning. On a typical day, my number is between 35-60. And that's just before 9 am. Meaning, if you don't get your reader's attention and stat, they are going to swipe you over to the big green garbage can and all that work was for naught. Ain't nobody got time for that. It's time to break out your 11th-grade Creative Writing skills and get that email read and clicked on and moving onto the next step in your funnel.

#4 - You have left your list in limbo.

You've hooked 'em with your amazing download and then crickets. They don't hear from you for weeks, months or even years. By the time you draft another email, they have forgotten who you are, how you got on their list and they hit that dreaded unsubscribe button.  You work to dang hard for those email addresses, don't let this be your story. Stay consistent, stay engaged and build the relationship. I give you some specific examples of what not to do here, check it out.

#5 - You want too much info on your forms.

Ok, here's the real dealio. People do NOT want to give out their information, they are protective like a mama bear to her cub. If you are asking for anything beyond their name (I recommend just first name) and their email address, it's TOO much! Keep it simple, play it smart and make your opt-in form easy to fill out and move on so they can get your juicy goods.  You can ask for more later, once you've gone on a few professional dates and they know and like you more.

#6 - No one knows who you are. 

I'm still shocked and surprised at the people who start businesses, throw up a website and then wait for the phone to ring. I know starting your business is a BIG deal, but if you don't go out and tell people you are in business, they aren't going to come. You have to be a lead horn tooter for your mad skills, products, and services if you want clients.  So get on out there and network, go to trade shows, get a booth, attend a conference, speak or set up some ads.  Get the word out and then get your people on your email list.

#7 - You're giving away the farm.

Okay, I know you're generous and kind-hearted, but it's also a bad idea to give away everything you've got for free.  This is a REALLY quick way to go broke or worse, confuse your audience and have them go to your competitors. So, keep it simple, share good stuff, but stick to the why.  It's okay to share part of a process and then stick the rest behind a gate that your audience has to pay for with cold hard cash or their email address.  You get to decide because in case no one has told you, this is your business. For a few more tips on what and how to stick to your guns, listen to the episode here.

#8 - Stop making it so dang hard to share your free content.

Holy moly this is an easy one. Add some sharing options to your website and ensure that your social sharing settings are on all lights green so that people can hit that share button from wherever they are and send it to their friends and family.  The more eyeballs on your content the better.  I recommended this plugin suite by Elegant Themes, specifically Monarch, as a sharing plugin for WordPress. When you get lifetime access it also includes Bloom and Divi. It never hurts to add the link to your videos, podcast notes (see what I did there) and on social media so that it's easy peasy for people to get to what you've created.

#9 - You're adding people to your list without permission.

For the love of all things holy, please do NOT add people to your email list without consent. Specific permission. Asking the question, "Can I add you to my email list?" If they say no, then don't! First, it's rude. Second, it will make them curse at you. Third, it's illegal in LOTS of places and could be in your neck of the woods sooner than later.  So practice good habits. If you want to know more about GDPR percussions of adding names to your list without permission, check out this episode with my guest Attorney Aiden Durham. 

#10 - Stop procrastinating already!

If I had a dollar for every time I heard, "I know I need to start emailing my list but . . ." I'd have a whole lot higher profit margin. I get it, you're busy. We all are. But this is critical stuff! I wouldn't keep harping about it if it didn't work. Carve out the time so that you can start building a relationship with your potential customers and stay in front of your current clients. It is the most preferred method of communication for US adults (72%) according to Marketing Sherpa statistics. Meet your audience where they are, in their inbox.

What are you waiting for - that's the end of the list.  Go open your email service provider and get cracking!  If you need a little bit of love between your ears, put on your favorite headphones and head over here so we can have an intimate chat about your email.

Which of these tips will you implement today so you can start reaping part of that 400% ROI? Head on over to the Facebook Group and tell us after you've sent your email.  We can't wait to cheer you on!