You’ve recently decided to include email marketing to your fundraising tools and now you’re wondering how to grow the number of supporters on your email list? Here are some strategies to grow that list:
1) Reserve prime spots on your website for sign-up forms.
What are the most important pages that most of your website visitors read? If you’re not sure, check your analytics program, e.g. Google Analytics to find out.
Need help with that? Feel free to reach out.
2) Site exit pop-ups
If you can, have an un-intrusive exit pop-up form that asks website visitors to join your email list. There are many programs that will allow you to create these, including MailMunch and OptinMonster. Both have a free version to get you started.
3) Put sign-up forms on these websites
Add your signup form to your “About Us” and your “Team” page. People who are visiting those sites show interest in your organization and are hence highly likely to sign up.
4) Your blog
If you have a lot of readers, don’t forget to add a sign-up form at the end of your blog posts, similar to the below.
5) Encourage sign-ups during events
Image you’re holding a big event that took you six month to organize and you’re look at those hundreds of participants who are eager to hear your speakers. Have you ever wondered how many of those are on your email list? Probably not. And yet, you probably should. Instead of having sign-up sheets lying around on tables, waiting to be filled out, consider showing off to your audience, that you’re ahead of the game. You’re one of those nonprofits that embraces technology. No need to be shy about it.
Here’s what you can do:
Step 1: On your website, create a new page. The only thing you’re putting on that page is your sign-up form.
Step 2: Open that page on a tablet.
Step 3: Whenever a new participant arrives at the event, hand them that tablet and ask them to join your email address.
Bonus: Explain to them why they would benefit from being on your email list (e.g. inside information) or tie the sign-up to an incentive, such as entering a contest.
6) Put your sign-up form on Facebook
You can utilize Facebook’s integration with most major email marketing platforms, such as ActiveCampaign, MailChimp, Constant Contact, and AWeber, to get additional signups.
7) Put a link to your sign-up page into your email signature
This simple step is often overlooked, it is, however, very valuable. Now, whenever you’re sending everyday emails, that are not sent via your email marketing software, you can encourage the recipient of that email to join your list.