Email marketing is growing in popularity due to the 'green' qualities, the thorough reporting features and the sheer ease of use. For some a drawback can be getting ideas on how to grow the contact list and make new connections. We can turn that negative into a positive with a little creative thinking. Below are two articles, which I have found to give helpful ideas applicable to all types of business and non-profits regarding building their mailing list using incentives and social media networks such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

For other ideas on email marketing or for information on how we can help your business get started, please contact Andrea Koeppel at Ocreative Design Studio for a complimentary consultation.

A Little Something Extra

Mailing list incentives can be used by all organizations

by Ron Cates, Constant Contact Development Director, Southwest Region

We'd all like to think that all it takes to get someone interested in learning more about a nonprofit or another organization is a charitable nature. But sometimes it takes more than that to entice someone to join your mailing list or become a supporter.

Of course, when you don't sell something tangible -- products or food, for example -- you can't offer a two-for-one special or a percentage off. The good news is that even if you're a service business, there are ways to build your mailing list by offering something extra to a potential subscriber.

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Build Your Email List on Social Media Sites

Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn offer new ways to find subscribers

by Martin Lieberman, Constant Contact Managing Editor

Social media sites offer exciting new ways to showcase your newsletter content and invite people to sign up for your email list. But it's not about adding your voice to the din just for the sake of increasing exposure. It is about making new connections.

The key is demonstrating that you have valuable content to share with new subscribers and then turning those connections into customer relationships -- and additions to your mailing list.

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