The Navigator

Last month’s Lodestone Networking Group virtual meeting was on creating and using a great mailing list.  We had a great time talking about both the challenges and the positive aspects of having a wonderful list and how to do it with integrity. 

So how do you build a strong list?  Have sign up shees at events, expos, meetings and classes you are at.  Invite people you talk to to sign up (we’ll talk about incentives later). 

Your signature line is another great place to advertise your mailing list.  If you have a website, they recommend having a sign up on every page.  I know it seems like overkill but it really isn’t.  It doesn’t have to a big sign up and if you take care to place it in a good spot – some place where it flows well with the other things on the page.

Although there are many great ways to build your list, the last one I want to mention here is joint ventures.  Working on an event or program – anything really – with someone else allows each of you to share with a larger client base because you are all promoting for each other. 

So once you start building that list, how do you contact them and what do you send them?  The first contact is ideally made within 24 hours.  Send them a welcome and begin to build that relationship.  Is there something you would like to know about them as it relates to your business?  A tip you’d like to share?  The most important thing to remember at this time is that this is not an opportunity to sell something.  it is an opportunity to build a relationship.

Continuing focusing on building a relationship as you continue to send out emails.  Offer tips, share stories ask what you can do for them.  You can also highlight upcoming events or services – just don’t make it a focus of your email.

For more tips to growing your business, visit our website and consider membership in our networking group.  It’s a great way to get ongoing support both professionally and personally.