How to build my email list?

[dan1el]

Hello,

We are just about to release our first ever website ,
We want to offer businesses an opportunity to get their company listed on our directory, that is built around a coumminty, so the businesses will be advertising directly to their target market.

we are wondering what would be the best way to target businesses?

We only want to target a niche market and businesses that fall into that niche.

So can we collect a list of business e-mail addresses from their website and e-mail market them? let me state we dont want to buy lists or anything like that, we are trying to be as ethical and morally correct as possible as well as legally correct .

any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Daniel

 

[Deancourt Design]

If you're going to approach email marketing from an ethical standpoint (and good on you), these are some options:

1) Going to a potential clients website and harvesting their email address is OK (there email address is on display, so they want to be contacted), however always offer the customer a way to unsubscribe from your email list.

2) Buying a list - if it's from a reputable company then there's nothing legally wrong with that (unless you are morally against email marketing). However I've used reputable companies before and found their email lists of limited quality and value in attracting new business, but for your business it may be a good option, as you are solely driving traffic to your website.

3) The best option is to harvest emails from customers you've already made contact with through other forms of marketing, and then use email marketing to drive additional sales, and to inform them of new developments, but this is of limited use to you as you are just starting out.

For your particular business I'd advise the first 2 options, but make sure you follow the golden rules of email marketing, which can be found everywhere online.

Best of luck with whatever option you choose.

 

[dan1el]

Thanks for your reply,

I think the best way fwd for us would be to harvest the emails ourselfs, in reagrds to your comment about an opt out option, I assum you be sugesting using somekind of newsletter mail system to send the emails?

I have been looking at some of these, mailchimp looks really good, however it does clearly state you cannot use their system to send emails to people that you dont have their permission to do so.

so is there something you would recommend?

Thanks
Daniel

 

[Deancourt Design]

Thanks for your reply,

I think the best way fwd for us would be to harvest the emails ourselfs, in reagrds to your comment about an opt out option, I assum you be sugesting using somekind of newsletter mail system to send the emails?

I have been looking at some of these, mailchimp looks really good, however it does clearly state you cannot use their system to send emails to people that you dont have their permission to do so.

so is there something you would recommend?

Thanks
Daniel

Mailchimp is definitely the way to go, and it's a free service as long as your email list is small, (under1000 I think), however you do get a small mailchimp ad in your email. The data feedback you get with mailchimp is fantastic also.

However, as you said the data that you use has to be clean (not sure how they'd know though), so unless you can get your data through legit channels, then you'd have to look at doing it yourself.

A program I use is called MaxBulk Mailer from Maxprog software. It's available on mac or pc, and it's quite inexpensive. Search google for 'MaxBulk mailer'.

You do need to understand how the software works, but it's not too complicated.

However I'd recommend Mailchimp, because it makes it really easy, and you get success feedback that you wouldn't get using MaxBulk.

 

[fisicx]

We want to offer businesses an opportunity to get their company listed on our directory, that is built around a coumminty, so the businesses will be advertising directly to their target market.

And why do you think they will be interested? There are thousands of directory sites, both mainstream and niche so unless you really have something special it's not even going to raise a flicker of interest.

If you want an email list why not just buy one? You can probably pick up something targeted for a few hundred pounds.

 

[Herswell]

I am just in the process of collecting data in order to send out a campaign by email or via post or telephone. (In other words I am building a prospect list!) I am collecting data from lists available on the web using free screen scraping software. It is not as daunting as it first appears and the information I have been able to get has allowed me to generate a good database.

If you are at all techie this could be a good way to go - it took me half a day to figure out the software and to get all the information from a list of 2000 companies that would have taken me about 2 minutes per item to transcribe (or equal to a total of 66 hours!) - and it was free.

 

[dan1el]

And why do you think they will be interested? There are thousands of directory sites, both mainstream and niche so unless you really have something special it's not even going to raise a flicker of interest.

Hopefully we are doing something different, we have created a membership site where memebers will contunine to return to, within this is a directory, that is of intrest to the members, and at the same time the businesses in the directory are advertising directly to their target market.

The site is not just a directory, infact the directory is only one part of it.
whilst I understand there are 100's of directories out there, let me ask you this... if your a business selling cat food and you could list you product in any one of 100s of pet directories OR you could list your business on a community based website that has 100/1000's of members that are cat lovers, where would you place your lsiting?

thanks
Daniel

 

[dan1el]

Mailchimp is definitely the way to go, and it's a free service as long as your email list is small, (under1000 I think), however you do get a small mailchimp ad in your email. The data feedback you get with mailchimp is fantastic also.

However, as you said the data that you use has to be clean (not sure how they'd know though), so unless you can get your data through legit channels, then you'd have to look at doing it yourself.

A program I use is called MaxBulk Mailer from Maxprog software. It's available on mac or pc, and it's quite inexpensive. Search google for 'MaxBulk mailer'.

You do need to understand how the software works, but it's not too complicated.

However I'd recommend Mailchimp, because it makes it really easy, and you get success feedback that you wouldn't get using MaxBulk.

Thanks I will look into MaxBulk, in fact i am going to do it now

 

[dan1el]

I am just in the process of collecting data in order to send out a campaign by email or via post or telephone. (In other words I am building a prospect list!) I am collecting data from lists available on the web using free screen scraping software. It is not as daunting as it first appears and the information I have been able to get has allowed me to generate a good database.

If you are at all techie this could be a good way to go - it took me half a day to figure out the software and to get all the information from a list of 2000 companies that would have taken me about 2 minutes per item to transcribe (or equal to a total of 66 hours!) - and it was free.

Thanks for your reply, however I dont think this is the way I want to go.

 

[messageman]

Harvesting "cold" email addresses and sending them unsolicited email is not something that any self-respecting person connected with email marketing would endorse. Tell me how this is different from spam?

You can try running this from your own email connection, or your website, but either way you will get your IPs blacklisted in no time and your ISP/host will shut you down.

My advice, forget this approach, try another form of marketing. If you really want to use email, gather your own opted in email addresses organically.

 

[stone21]

If you're going to approach email marketing from an ethical standpoint (and good on you), these are some options:

1) Going to a potential clients website and harvesting their email address is OK (there email address is on display, so they want to be contacted), however always offer the customer a way to unsubscribe from your email list.

2) Buying a list - if it's from a reputable company then there's nothing legally wrong with that (unless you are morally against email marketing). However I've used reputable companies before and found their email lists of limited quality and value in attracting new business, but for your business it may be a good option, as you are solely driving traffic to your website.

3) The best option is to harvest emails from customers you've already made contact with through other forms of marketing, and then use email marketing to drive additional sales, and to inform them of new developments, but this is of limited use to you as you are just starting out.

For your particular business I'd advise the first 2 options, but make sure you follow the golden rules of email marketing, which can be found everywhere online.

Best of luck with whatever option you choose.

I think 3) is the best , we always do in this way , and we will ask those clients whether they are interested in new products information and which product they are interested.

Some of our clients introduce us to their friends , contacts in our email list are more and more .

 

[dan1el]

Harvesting "cold" email addresses and sending them unsolicited email is not something that any self-respecting person connected with email marketing would endorse. Tell me how this is different from spam?

You can try running this from your own email connection, or your website, but either way you will get your IPs blacklisted in no time and your ISP/host will shut you down.

My advice, forget this approach, try another form of marketing. If you really want to use email, gather your own opted in email addresses organically.

Thanks for your reply, so from all the replies we have received it seems the best way forward is to use social media (inbound marketing) to attract businesses and them get them to opt in.
Because the site is new & we offer a service & not products, I thought maybe the best way would be to harvest sites that would be directly of interest and send an email.. Hey we here, this is what we offer!.

I can fully understand how this can be seen as SPAM and that's the one thing we want to avoid!
so does anyone have any tips for getting yourself noticed by other businesses?

Thank you (everyone) for your replies, this is a great learning curve
Daniel

 

[TangerineDream]

I have read this thread with interest.

It's encouraging to see that you are putting thought into how you want to approach your email marketing strategy and wish to do so in a way that is "ethical" but also gives you the best chance of getting a great ROI.

The conclusions of the tread are sensible and seem to show you moving away from "collecting" email address from websites. I always council clients not to do this for 2 reasons. Firstly, these are generic email address that are unlikely to be received by the person in the business that is relevant to your proposition, so your return on investment will be low. Secondly, in is not compliant with your obligation to only send electronic communications to those that have agreed to accept it.

I would encourage you to use social media to develop relationships with prospects and to use this to gain their consent to send emails to them on interesting subjects. Also have a signup built into your website so that visitors can opt to receive information. Also use every networking opportunity you have to gather opt in email address and add them to your list.

It takes a time and energy to create an optin email list. Too many people just want to shortcut this, get any list of email address from anywhere and to send in enormous volumes have no regard for where the recipitant is a relevant prospect for the product tor even want to hear from them.

Good luck with your email marketing campaign and website.

 

[dan1el]

I have read this thread with interest.

It's encouraging to see that you are putting thought into how you want to approach your email marketing strategy and wish to do so in a way that is "ethical" but also gives you the best chance of getting a great ROI.

The conclusions of the tread are sensible and seem to show you moving away from "collecting" email address from websites. I always council clients not to do this for 2 reasons. Firstly, these are generic email address that are unlikely to be received by the person in the business that is relevant to your proposition, so your return on investment will be low. Secondly, in is not compliant with your obligation to only send electronic communications to those that have agreed to accept it.

I would encourage you to use social media to develop relationships with prospects and to use this to gain their consent to send emails to them on interesting subjects. Also have a signup built into your website so that visitors can opt to receive information. Also use every networking opportunity you have to gather opt in email address and add them to your list.

It takes a time and energy to create an optin email list. Too many people just want to shortcut this, get any list of email address from anywhere and to send in enormous volumes have no regard for where the recipitant is a relevant prospect for the product tor even want to hear from them.

Thanks for your reply, we want to fully respect businesses, whilst at the same time let them know we are here, So we have agreeded we will use Twitter, facebook, linkedin etc to inbound market our services and have all prospects opt in!

I would like to say a massive THANKYOU to everyone that has put time and effort into reading/replying to this topic

Thanks everyone
Daniel

 

[sitesubmissionpro]

not sure if this is of any help to you but......

What i did was use these 'bulk mailing' companies to blanket an HTML out to there database. someone like optinadvertising... you pay for hat you get really..

The links on the email went through to a contact page where I captured their details.

Defo best way though is to capture organically if you can.

Look at Ad-Trax Internet Solutions

 

[TangerineDream]

The regulation / law is very clear on this. Visit the information commissioners website www.ico.gov.uk. There is a really good fact sheet here as well that will help you get to grips with the rules etc [URL="http://www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/privacy_and_electronic/introductory/rules_~1.pdf"]www.ico.gov.uk/upload/documents/library/privacy_and_electronic/introductory/rules_~1.pdf[/URL]

Small business are a mix of limited companies and sole traders. so it is very difficult to apply a rule that because they are a company it does not matter with regards sot the law. Sole trading companies are individuals and the regulation applies.

However, I would look to what you describe and start building relationships with with your target customers and other core target prospects and gather the list of companies and call them all. Get the names of the and ask them for their email address and if you can send them some information from time to time by email. You will find that the vast majority say yes. You will have introduced your company and started to build the relationship. You will have started to build a great permission based email list which is compliant to the regulations and when you do send the email far more people will open it and read it.

Great email marketing starts with creating a permission based audience do not be tempted to short cut by just sending huge volumes to random companies. Ensure that you keep targeting your core audience and build relationships with them all the time.

If I can assist further PM me.

 

[TMPUK]

We send out a lot of email campaigns (we are outsourced telemarketing, usually to niche industries). We try to be as ethical as possible and only send emails to people - or companies - who are happy to receive them.

The best way is to get a list of relevant companies with phone numbers and emai addresses. This is usually best through a data provider as they will strip out any who are TPS (telephone preference). Then call them all and check their email addresses, and check that they are interested at the same time.

It's quicker and easier than you would think - most people are happy to take a call asking if they want an email. It saves on them getting "junk" mail they are not interested in. It also means they will be expecting your email, and you get better results that way.

Naturally I am biased as I run a telemarketing company, but this is something that you can do yourself for very little time and money.

Hope this helps!

 

[coachcbg]

Simple answer on this: Learn how to do data capture properly by driving traffic to your site, having something for them to do when they get there and for which they’ll happily give you a first name and email.
Don’t buy lists. You will have no idea how responsive they are. There is little point in paying for a list with 25000 emails on, then paying for a decent auto responder to handle them all and getting nothing in return.
If your follow up process is good enough you’ll generate sales and subscribers. Obviously that brings you back to building the list in the first place: good SEO, good key word research, use Facebook Pages intelligently, get a blog, get on YouTube, list your website everywhere. Email any current list on your Outlook and ask them to go Opt In, even your non business friends and if they aren’t interested could they send the email to someone on their list who may be?
Do some fliers locally, speak to people, but do one thing really, really well: Make sure that when people land on your website there is something to instantly engage them so they are absolutely desperate to opt in to your list....... Sorry to go on but hope something there was useful.

 

[Christinajo]

you can search in facebook for the niche and find companies that have this niche, this will be faster than searching all google for this. Also you can look in directories that have companies in a certain niche in a certain country and you will find what you need.

 

[Target]

A quick footnote on choosing an email delivery system (ok, ok, a wee plug too for our website, but what we're offering is free...). We have a side-by side comparison of 5 well-known and established delivery systems available to download here:

http://www.small-business-database-marketing.com/downloads.html

Mailchimp is on there (and indeed fares very well), but even if your own choice isn't, this gives you an extensive list of features to look out for.

By the way, you will find that almost every (legitimate) email system based in the USA will ONLY allow the use of opted-in (sometimes double opted-in) lists. That means NO rented or purchased lists, and NO 'scraped' lists (shudder...)

George

 

[Jason Moffat]

Hello,

We are just about to release our first ever website ,
We want to offer businesses an opportunity to get their company listed on our directory, that is built around a coumminty, so the businesses will be advertising directly to their target market.

we are wondering what would be the best way to target businesses?

We only want to target a niche market and businesses that fall into that niche.

So can we collect a list of business e-mail addresses from their website and e-mail market them? let me state we dont want to buy lists or anything like that, we are trying to be as ethical and morally correct as possible as well as legally correct .

any help would be greatly appreciated
Thanks
Daniel

The easyiest way to build a list is have a video on the first page of google promoting your business and have that video linking to a squeeze page, a squeeze page is a half page website where you offer them some sort of newsletter or free product of some thing of value, so they fill in their name and email address.

 

[elitegoliath]

I have seen various hints towards the use of ethics on this thread and I would like to touch on this some.

It is good to see people who are making attempts use "scrape" data in an ethical manner. My concern is for those who do not use such discretion, and scrape data in ways that can be considered invasion of privacy or theft. Personally I feel that there are many uses for data scraping, and such methods can be beneficial to the marketing community as well as assist government agency help ensure safety and quality of life.

What I want more insight on is what the rest of you consider unethical methods of scraping data from the web. Web sights that require a username and password should be secure enough to prevent scraping, but they typically aren't. Do you consider information of the web fair game and people need to use discretion about the information posted there, or based on technology and culture do we rely on important information to be posted on the web safely?