The most important tool in online marketing isn't your website. It's your email list. Most of your customers and potential customers won't visit your website today. But they will check their email.

So your goal as an email marketer is to build the largest possible list you can of people who want to hear from you by email, and have told you so. Here are 11 ways to get started.

1. Only add subscribers to your list who have given you permission to email them.

2. Attract new subscribers by offering regular, valuable content (such as a weekly email newsletter) in exchange for their email address.

3. Offer an incentive, such as a free report, discount coupon or gift.

4. Ask for as little information as possible (such as first name and email address). The more you ask subscribers to divulge about themselves, their interests or their buying intentions, the fewer subscribers you will get.

5. Make sure every single message you send to your list is helpful and relevant. Quality content is the easiest way to keep your subscribers subscribedand encourage them to refer you to others.

6. Dont rent or borrow email addresses from anyone except the most reputable vendors in the industryand even then, exercise great caution.

7. When you ask for someones email address, describe what you will send them and how often (weekly email newsletter about real estate for sale in your area).

8. Give subscribers an easy way to opt- out. No point building a huge list if subscribers cannot opt-out easily, and instead simply delete your messages.

9. Put a sign-up form or box on every page of your website.

10. Put the sign-up box on your homepage above the fold so its obvious.

11. Put the sign-up form in the same place on every page.
    
    These tips are taken from 75 Easy Ways to Build Your Opt-in Email List, the first in a series of Special Reports from Andrew Spencer Publishing. Read more at www.sharpecopy.com/reports.

Alan Sharpe

Alan Sharpe is a business-to-business direct mail copywriter and lead generation consultant. As President of Sharpe Copy Inc. Alan specializes in helping businesses generate leads, close sales and retain customers using cost-effective, compelling direct mail and email marketing. Alan also uses his direct mail advertising services to help charities raise funds and raise awareness of their causes, using fundraising letters. Sign up for Alan Sharpe's B2B Direct Mail Tactics e-newsletter. Every Monday morning, receive in your inbox a short, helpful article on direct mail lead generation.