Why you need an email list
If you're not on it yet, you'll want to start building an email list right away. As soon as you have your Etsy shop or your own website up and running, start collecting those email addresses!
There is a simple reason for this. We spend so much time investing in Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other social communities, but what happens if they go belly up?
I know, you must be thinking, “Facebook is huge! It's here to stay”. I admit, I had trouble believing it too.
But analysts are predicting Facebook will die within the next decade. And so what if it's just speculation or if their prediction is wrong?
Isn't it better for you and your business if you covered all your bases and you played it safe?
My point is, any one of these social media sites could go kaput one day. Then you're left with nothing. The hundreds or thousands of fans and followers you had, all gone. You'll have no way of contacting them.
An email list is a permanent asset in your business. It's something you get to keep even if the service providers (Mailchimp, Constant Contact, MadMimi, etc.) go down.
All the emails you collect over the life of your business? It stays with you no matter what!
Did I mention that an email list will also help you make more sales? Sounds great? Read on!
How to start collecting email addresses
I recommend using MailChimp. It's free to use until you reach 2,000 subscribers and after that they have affordable and flexible payment options (pay per email or pay per number of subscribers).
If you don't have your own website yet, no worries. You can still direct your Etsy customers to a sign up page where they can enter their email addresses.
Then you'll want to set up an opt in form to embed on your website. It'll look something like this:
If you'd like, you can also ask for first names. This will allow you to address your subscriber by first name in all of your emails, as if you're emailing them personally!
I don't usually collect first names because I want to remove as many barriers and make the process as simple as possible.
Have this opt in form appear as high up on your site as possible so your visitors don't miss it. Also try to have your opt in form in as many logical places as possible, such as in your About page, your Testimonials page, your checkout confirmation page, your blog, etc.
The importance of your email list
A lot of businesses focus on email marketing like it was their bread and butter. There's a whole science to it, but getting started is pretty simple.
Once you have an email list, you can tap into it whenever you launch a new design, or when you have a sale. It's a great way to increase your revenue and bottom line.
Don't forget that the people who gave you their email addresses WANT to hear about your new releases and flash sales! They're qualified leads/buyers who are more likely to convert into paying customers.
Sounds great right? Next week I'll talk more about how to effectively grow your email addresses so you have hundreds (if not thousands) of subscribers in a matter of months!
If you have any questions, please leave me a comment below.
Hi Mei, I read your post and fully agree (well, almost)! For the past twenty years, I have participated in festivals and shows selling salsa, hot sauce, soup and dip. During that time, I did not gather email addresses. However, three years ago, I started working for Constant Contact, and upon learning the benefits, began asking people for their addresses, so I could let them know about my upcoming shows. I started with about 20 addresses and have grown to over 600. Constant Contact is a paid service, but not much! Their deliverability rate is substantially higher, which means those lovely emails that are sent to your customers are actually getting delivered! They have live support seven days a week so I can test how my emails are being received. Pictures are not floating around and the spacing looks correct, etc.! Also, many people do not know this, but Mailchimp will send out your emails only after their paid customers! In their terms and conditions which most people do not read, they “have the right to include pop up advertising” along with your email. I no longer work for Constant Contact, but will always use their professional service. Yes, my income did actually double this past year with the addition of email marketing. Whoo hoo!
Hi Lynn, I have been using Mailchimp for several years but just started getting more consistent. Every time emails are sent, we get a report saying they were sent and how many were opened, clicks received, and any unsubscribes or bounces. Are you saying that they are not actually being sent because I’m not a paid service with them?
Jamie, no, your emails ARE being sent. What Lynn is implying is Mailchimp provides priority service to their paid customers. You don’t have to worry about anything!
Hi Mei,
Do you have a MS Excel template so we can create an e-mail sign up sheet for craft shows? I want to be able to include my logo and anything else you think might be helpful. Also, how do I direct my Etsy customers to a signup page? Thanks!
Hey Andy!
Not right now but I appreciate the suggestion! I used Microsoft Word and the tables feature to create a sign up sheet. Or you can use Photoshop if you’re proficient with that.
You can include the sign up page link in your Etsy announcement, in product listings, in your conversations with them, etc.
Hello Mei,
First of all thank you for the clarification here . I’m new to mail chimp also. There is so much to learn there.
I have a delemma, I’m a somatic practitioner. I have seeing several people last year in my office, I have gathered over 300 names, addresses, emails from the people that saw me. Since I am new to this email listing thankfully I didn’t throw away their info. My question is, what do you suggest for me to do in this case? Should I create a list with peoples info? I don’t know how to go about this. Much appreciated.
Cheers..