Building an opt-in list requires some patience and creativity. And the method used may differ depending on your market. For example, in some markets, you may do well with offering a free newsletter to build an email list.  In other markets, it may be best to a build list by promising early notice of coupons or special offers.  Here are a few other options to consider for increasing your email list.

1.  Run a contest.  The puzzle, game or task should be easy and straightforward so that you don’t frustrate the customer and you still get their email address in the end.

2.  Offer customers a free report, ecourse or eBook.  People love getting free stuff, especially eBooks that interest them.  Remember, it doesn’t have to be 100 pages long; five to ten pages will work fine.

3.  Advertise your opt-in offer in an e-zine or classified ad.  It actually doesn’t cost tons of money and if you find the right place to advertise, you could see dramatic results.

4.  Include a link to a free report in your sig file. At the end of each email message you send out, take the opportunity to add your name, company and a free report with a link attached.  You will be surprised at how many visitors you get this way.  If a customer is interested in downloading a report from your web site, they will definitely have no problem providing their name and email address.  They will love to receive more reports from you or have access to a members only area of your site with plenty of resources.

5.  Conduct a survey. Surveying customers is a great way to collect email addresses. You can find out what customers like and dislike, and what they have problems with or need solutions for.

While you may not be able to find one catch-all method to build your email list, these tips provide a starting point to test what works best to capture names and email addresses in your market.

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