How to build targeted email list for marketing?

Building an email list is time-consuming, because the goal is to motivate as many qualified and relevant users as possible to subscribe to a list, while at the same time weeding out content seekers and members who are not part of the target group.

In contrast to social ads, which are presented to a more or less segmented target group using the push approach, e-mail lists work according to the pull principle. List members want to consume your content consciously and find solutions to problems, which increases the chance of sales conversions.

However, purchased lists, free content seekers and curious competitors dilute the conversion potential of your lists. We'll show you some ways to turn your mailing lists into a pool of relevant prospects.

8 tips on how to build your qualified mailing list

1. Big players as anchors

Especially at the beginning of a mailing campaign, it is difficult to draw the attention of subscribers to your content. For this reason, established industry-relevant companies can help you with this.

If you use well-known automation tools, industry software or other programs known to the target group, you can, for example, create a case study on the software or a field report.

Since customer reviews are extremely valuable for the credibility of companies, there is a good chance that the company will publish your content and thus draw attention to you.

2. Sign Up Forms

In order for users to subscribe to your mailing lists, you should position sign-up forms in a clearly visible position on your website. While landing pages are the least used sign-up variant, they have the highest conversion rate (23%) . The much-used pop-ups, on the other hand, only motivate 3% to convert.

A/B testing of the forms will help you find out what appeals to the target group.

3. Gated Content

In order to filter out unqualified leads and users who are far from the target group when signing up, it is worth offering targeted content as gated content. Around 80% of the content of B2B companies is gated content . The content should be precisely tailored to the needs and problems of the desired target group.

Whether it's e-books, white papers or case studies - invest enough time in the creation of a qualitative in-depth piece of content. In addition to gated content, discount campaigns and trials can motivate users to join a list, especially in the B2C area.
4. The data query

Think in advance which user data is relevant to you. The query of data on the location (regional offers), the size of the company (SME or brand) or the topic interests help you to segment mailing lists in order to display content that is as personalized as possible.
5. CTAs

In order to maximize the reach of all your digital communication channels (blog, product pages, social media, etc.), you should place activating CTAs on your sign-up form on them.
6. List segmentation

Depending on the purchase history, personal preferences, company size, etc., different content makes sense for different list members. Segmented mailings not only increase the opening and CTA rate, but also ensure an increase in sales of up to 760% .
7. Word of Mouth

92% of customers trust recommendations from people they know. For this reason, you should motivate existing customers to recommend your company, your services or products to family and friends.

The same applies here: create added value for your customers. 88% of existing customers are willing to recommend companies if they receive some kind of incentive in return. Discounts, upgrades, bonus points or gifts not only motivate recommendations, but generally strengthen your customer loyalty.
8. Measure and update

Many companies have infinitely long mailing lists and hardly generate any conversions with them. Because of this, you should track and analyze your list performance. You can then re-segment or remove inactive members from the list if necessary.
Conclusion

As your mailing list grows, you should make sure to send your contacts regular email campaigns with relevant and, above all, value-generating content.