Email marketing continues to be one of the most powerful marketing tools business owners have available to them. It’s relatively affordable, can be quickly deployed, and has consistently proven to generate sales.
However, email marketing does have one limitation: you are, by law, limited to reaching only those individuals who have opted into receiving your messages. Your reach is only as large as your database. Here are three simple ways to increase the number of people you connect with:

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1. Commit To Database Growth

   Databases don’t just grow on their own. It takes proactive effort on the part of the business owner to raise awareness of their email offerings and encourage people to sign up. This is not a one-and-done deal; instead, commit to making this type of outreach on a regular basis – daily, ideally, and weekly at a bare minimum.

2. Harvest the Low Hanging Fruit First

   The easiest way to promote your email offerings is by making sure they’re mentioned prominently on your website, in your store, and through your social media platforms. Do a quick audit: how many ways are there for a customer to sign up for your email newsletter? How easy are these ways to find? At a minimum, you want 3-5 sign up opportunities on your website, sign-up prompts on signage, store receipts, and other sales collateral materials, and in the about us section of every social media platform.

3. Simplify Your Signup Process

   Have you ever tried to sign up for an email newsletter only to discover you needed to fill out way too many fields for it to be worth your time? You’re not alone. Industry research has revealed that most people’s tolerance for sign up forms maxes out around three fields – and ideally, all you need is your email address. Facebook’s new lead gen ads are a great tool to encourage email signups: they’re fast, simple, and easy to use.