A mailing list is typically used for marketing purposes. By building a mailing list, you can have a ready store of prospects to send information about deals, new products and special events. Mailing lists are an integral part of nonprofit fundraising strategies. A mailing list may include street addresses to send coupons, newsletters and requests for donations as well as free gifts. Email lists can be used to send the same announcements.
Instructions
1. Build a website that includes high search engine optimization tools so that people searching for sites about your service or product will be directed to your site. Provide a reason for the website visitors to sign up with your site. Create a quality newsletter with important information, request an email address to access proprietary information on your site, or offer a free trial of an online service.
2. Post your newsletter or website on a wide variety of message boards, social networks, newsgroups and blogs that attract the same clientele that you're trying to reach. Direct them to your site, which should ask them for an email address.
3. Hold a contest at your place of business, at trade shows or in a local paper. Require customers to fill out the form with their street and email addresses in order to be eligible to win the prize. Make the contest a continuing effort to maintain the momentum. For example, offer a weekly drawing for a free dessert at your restaurant or a popular eatery in town.
4. Purchase mailing lists from companies that provide niche-market information. Lists are available that target specific geographic locations, consumers who have purchased like products in the past or are members of various organizations. Mailing lists can target specific income levels, ages and ethnicities. List from mailing-list companies can range from 34 cents to 69 cents per record.
5. Invest in mailing-list management software that will store your data as you start collecting it. Look into offsite data-management operations that can set up your accounts, manage the emails as you enter them and send out your announcements. Web-based mailing managers help avoid the costs of expensive hardware, operating problems with your own systems and overloaded computers. Look for a reputable mailing-list manager that does not turn around and resell your valuable information.
