Email marketing is a great tool - but if you do it - they won’t automatically come. You must think about building your list in all your other business activities and marketing. Here are some tips for increasing or starting your list for any small business:

On Your Website:

• Sign-up Box: Have a sign-up box for your email list prominent and on every page. They are already on your site -make them stay connected with you.
• Bribe Them: hold a drawing or contest once a week/month.
• Discount: an easy way to get people to sign-up is by offering special exclusive discount for e-listers only
• Web pop-ups: use pop-ups when people leave your site and ask to keep in touch. (Aweber.com is great for these pop-up lists.)
• Forward-to-Friend: many email management tools offer a link forward-to-friend so people can spread the word for you. (Constant Contact
  - has a great tell-a-friend type link in their emails.

At Your Location/Off-Line:

• Sign-in Books/Comment Cards: have a sign-in book at your register or use comment cards with bill. Make sure to entice customers with prizes or email-only specials.
• Contest Box/Fishbowl: Have a box for a contest and collect business cards or have entry forms (note: put a line that mentions they will be signed up for email list).
• Receipts: add information about your website/email list on customer receipts.

Other Stuff:

• Marketing & Advertising: always make sure to note your domain or email list on all your marketing and advertising.