A mailing list is something all online businesses should have and I believe everyone needs to learn how to effectively create a mailing list for their business. Why? Because it not only enables you to grow your business, it also provides you with a platform to offer awesome content to your ideal clients and to build better relationships with them.

All online businesses need a mailing list

One of the biggest mistakes you can make in business is to assume you don’t need to create a mailing list or even have one, at all. It’s often an assumption based on one of two beliefs – 1) I don’t need a mailing list because I have enough clients, and 2) I don’t need a mailing list as I don’t sell products.

However, these beliefs are created around your view of your current business model. But let me ask you, what will happen if you lose a couple of clients? What happens if you decide you’d like to start building a team of Associates? And what will happen if you decide you want to scale up your business and add courses and programs to your business?

All of these things are made easier, if you have a mailing list of people who are already interested in what you do!

So now that’s got you thinking a bit bigger, let’s take a look at 5 other reasons why you need to create a mailing list.

[PLEASE NOTE – this blog contains affiliate links! But rest assured, I will only recommend products and services I (or my team) have personally used. If you click on any of the links within this post and subsequently make a purchase, this may result in me receiving a small commission – at no extra cost to yourself. You can learn more about my privacy policy here.]

#1: A mailing list is built on your own land – and you own the content!

When you build a mailing list you’re building it on your site and in your own email account. You own the names on the list , the website URL and the email content you send them. The same can’t be said for your content on social media!

If you want to know how to get your mailing list started, OptinMonster covers this in their article: Why you need to build an email list right now – and how to get started.

As Neil Patel states in this article:

“The question then isn’t: “Should I build an email list?”, but rather: “How can I build my list as quickly as possible?”

[Want to learn how to grow your email list quickly? Check out the article this quote is from: https://neilpatel.com/blog/quick-email-marketing-lists/]

#2: Email marketing is personal and private

One of the reasons why you should create a mailing list is because people feel safe asking questions via email. There’s no one looking over their shoulder, nobody to ridicule their knowledge and no chance of them looking stupid. It feels safe to them. They can open up and share more about what they like, what interests them and they can easily save your emails for future reference.

I recommend ConvertKit for your email list, as you get the ability to create funnels and automation as standard, PLUS you can easily organise your subscribers, with tags and segments. These help you to organise your subscribers by their buying habits, interests and email opens. [Want to know why else I recommend ConvertKit, check out this blog on How ConvertKit helps make your email marketing awesome. Ready to try ConvertKit for free? Sign up for a free trial of ConvertKit.]

#3: Conversion rates are higher

How much higher? Well, according to this article on HubSpot, 73 percent of millennials prefer communications from businesses to come via email, and marketers who segment out their campaigns, note as much as a 760% increase in revenue. Over on the 99Firms website, they state Data & Marketing Association (DMA) report findings show that email marketing results in a $44 ROI for every $1 spent.

#4: Email connects you to your subscribers

If you’re looking to build a long-term relationship with your subscribers, you need to create a mailing list. Email marketing gives you time to build trust, without the noise. Subscribers can get to know you, and you can get to know them. Sharing regular updates and glimpses behind the scenes, help them get to know you better, whilst questions, polls and even click-throughs help you learn more about your subscribers.

[Need some ideas on how to connect better with your readers? Check out How to easily and simply stay in touch with your subscribers.]

#5: You’re reaching people who have already shown an interest in what you do

One of the most important reasons for building your own mailing list? It narrows down the field. People on your list have already been introduced to you and had a look around your site. They know a little about you and what you do – and they want to know more. They’ve shown you this, by opting into your list. So do them a favour, and interact with them – it’s the very reason why you needed to create a mailing list in the first place! 

I am a firm believer in setting up your email list early in the your VA business – we cover this in both the VA Mastery Course and in the VA: Be Awesome Club.