Getting your target customer’s email address can be a daunting task. I mean, people hold on to that information like it’s their firstborn.

So, it’s of no surprise that many of you have questions on how to obtain the coveted info while not being pushy or awkward or ending a relationship before it starts.

Social media may be your best answer.

You already have the followers, your posts are already getting the likes, comments, and shares.

You know people like you and what you’re offering, so why aren’t you taking advantage of those loyal targets?

In this blog we’ll go through some specific social media platforms and tell you what best practices to use for each, and end with advice that stretches across all social media platforms.

Let’s begin with the top of the social media food chain:

grow your email list with FacebookFacebook

Facebook means bu

Over 50 million  businesses are making this statement true. But are you using it to grow your email list?

Using lead-generating Facebook Ads will help you considerably.

Facebook ads are a smart way to get in front of the audience you want. By choosing your demographic, your ads are seen by only those likely to use your services.

Facebook has tools to help you optimize your ad so it works at its highest level of performance.

Of course, this does cut into your marketing budget somewhat, but it will be a small price to pay in exchange for all the new customers and contacts you’ll gain.

grow your email list with youtube

YouTube

We’ve all taken advantage of those super helpful videos on YouTube, ie: how to get the best cateye with liquid eyeliner or how to change a tire or how not to be awkward in front of your ex (I looked these all up yesterday).

So, is your business showing off its goods on this platform?

It’s a killer way to engage and gain some interest in what you do or offer.

Bonus: you’ll gain momentum on the SERPs (Search Engine Result Pages).

Figure out what users are searching for within similar brands/businesses and use those keywords to give you immediate traction by creating videos for each of those keywords.

Because both YouTube and Google use your description as a way to understand what your video has to offer, you should include at least 300 words of copy for your description.

Now that you have your target audience watching your videos, make sure it’s easy for them to connect with you through a CTA (call-to-action), the best and easiest way to do this is with  call-to-action cards.

More on CTAs later in this post.

use instagram to grow your email listInstagram

Okay, this may not be where your mind wanders when you think of your social media ad campaign.  But with over 2M businesses advertising here  and 8 out of 10 users following a business here, don’t you think you should check it out?

We say, H – E – Double hockey stick – yeah, you should.

Instagram is just, well, cool.

So you can really go for it here when it comes to being unique, inspiring, and creative.

You have free rein to let loose and make an impact, so go ahead and do that through anything from short video clips to funny or even ridiculous slogans- whatever it takes to get you noticed.

Just don’t forget your CTA, so your users can easily subscribe to you.

use pinterest to grow your email listPinterest

The bulletin board heard ‘round the world. Pinterest is a huge platform, and another one often overlooked by businesses/brands. Don’t make that mistake.

A well-working way of generating leads here is through lead magnets.

BTW – A lead magnet is when you offer an incentive to a possible customer in exchange for their contact info/email address.

When looking to contribute to your email list through Pinterest, be sure to do the following:

  • Use your keywords in your descriptions, this will help users find you and give you gains on the SERPs.
  • Advertise your lead magnets on your pins with clever copy and imagery.
  • Pin on group boards, they offer the largest audience, reaching thousands of people every day.
  • Stay on top of your pinning daily. It doesn’t take a genius to know that the more you get out there, the more you’ll be seen. If you’re too busy to swing a daily pin, look into the countless tools offered to set up automation.

Have you noticed that less brands are using Pinterest these days?!? You can use this to your advantage. It’s a much less saturated social media platform right now.

gather email addressesAcross All Social Media Platforms

Obviously, the social media platforms have different rules you’ll need to follow within each; however, no matter what platform you’re on, there are many rules that travel across them all.

 

The Almighty CTA (Call-To-Action)

Mentioned above, a call-to-action (CTA) button should be added to any and all of your social media platforms.  If your CTA takes your user to your site, this will not only allow you to gain traffic, but it’s a great way to ask users to sign up for your emails, newsletters, etc., too.

Your CTA should be straightforward and easy to find, and since your targets are already following you, they’re likely to give you their email address for further contact and resources.

A useful example is Facebook’s sign up button.  We’ve all seen it and probably hit it, so your business page should definitely be offering this easy option.

 

The Gatekeeper

Gated content is content that you provide after your user has provided you with something – their email address.

So, if you’re looking to get their email address, give them a taste of what you have to offer, but not the whole kit and caboodle.

This all starts on your social media page with a CTA taking them to your landing page.

Once there, they can gain access to the desired information (make it worth their while) after they add their email to the little box that pops up.  Easy as that.

 

Contests and Free Stuff

Let’s talk real: we like free stuff. All of us. So why not use it to your advantage with a giveaway of sorts?

Start by making up a fun game or task for your followers. Create an equally fun #hashtag to go along with it and be sure to add an image of whatever you’ll be giving away. Then start posting about it all over social media.

Your followers will click on your post and be taken to a landing page that asks for their email address and you have yourself a win-win: happy customer, happy you.

 

Blog Popups

When advertising your very useful and informative blog post on social media, you’re creating a way for your target to get to you fast.

After they hit on the post and are redirected to your site (where the blog lives) they should be able to find you again very easily if they so desire (and of course they so desire).

Try to be creative, don’t just use a popup asking them to subscribe to your blog post by leaving you their email address. Give them a reason to fork over that email address.

Aim to make your popup match by offering a content upgrade that relates directly to the topic of the post.

And That’s How You Do It

Using social media as a resource for adding to your contact list should be at the very top of your digital marketing campaign.

You have all those untapped potential-clients that are eager to hear what you have to offer, so don’t let them down.

Social media is here to stay, and it can help your business in so many ways, so use it and use it right.