I’ve found summer is tougher on email response than other seasons. People are breezing through their email while their mind is more captivated with outdoor activities and afternoons at the beach. But, the summer months can be a great time to build or add to your email subscriber list.

Clint Smith, the co-founder of Emma Email Marketing, had a nice, quick article about reaching a decent sized audience right away if you don’t already have a large list. His three tips are:

  1. Sponsorships: The easiest way to get access to an e-mail list is to find someone already sending to it and become a sponsor. Just make sure the landing page people hit when they click on your banner ad or link prompts them to join your e-mail list.
  2. Co-registration: Find an organization you like—and whose audience might also be interested in what you’re up to—and see if they’ll let you piggyback on their e-mail signup form either as a favor (if they really like you) or for a fee (if they really like you but also like making a living). There are also co-reg firms that help simplify the entire process.
  3. Customers: Remember that often the best way to grow your e-mail list quickly is to start with your existing customer base. Make sure your cash register, signup forms, front desk, event booth and Web site all encourage people to join your list. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how many actually do.

To add on to what Clint says, you can also use this time of year to grow your list for a targeted campaign in the Fall or Winter. Let’s review two key SPAM laws that should be taken into consideration when using email marketing:

  • The recipient must have given consent to receive information from your company
  • The recipient must have done business with your company in the last two years

Here are some quick tactics you can implement right now to grow your list:

  • Website Form: Make sure every page on your website has a link to a form or an actual form giving visitors the option to receive your email newsletter.
  • Trade Shows: Summer is big for trade shows. If your company does trade shows, put a signup sheet in your booth and give show attendees the option to sign up. Also, make sure the people working your booth know to direct attention to the sign-up.
  • Calling Campaign: Dig into your vast contact database and find customer who your company has NOT does business with in the last two years. Hand this list off to your sales team and kick-off a “re-introduction” calling campaign. As part of the call, have your sales people ask about receiving an email newsletter. A campaign such as this not only grows your subscriber list, but also might revive a few customer relationships.

Anything you might add to the list?

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