If you have an online presence then the short answer is “Yes”.

Having an email list is crucial if you sell products or services online because it’s the best way to build a relationship with potential customers in an more personalised way.

Unlike a social media post, you aren’t a status update in their feed that comes and goes in a few hours. You are in their inbox, where they receive other important messages from work, family, and friends.

You will remain in their inbox until your subscriber is ready to read it. And when you write really useful emails people can refer to them more than once, because emails are easily searchable.

What is an email list?

An email list is the names and email addresses of people who gave you permission to send them updates and promotions from your business via email.

You can build your email list inside an email marketing platform and send bulk email notifications to everyone on your list regarding blog updates, promotions, upcoming events or other business services.

Or you can segment your list and send targeted campaigns to sections of your audience depending on their interests.

Why do you need an email list?

Here are five reasons why an email list will benefit your business:

1. Email is targeted

As already mentioned, when someone subscribes to your list that means they have already shown interest in your product or content.

Since you already know what they like, you can deliver them relevant offers and updates. You can segment your audience, depending on their interests, and send them only emails that are relevant to them. This makes the whole experience more personalised to them!

2. You own your email list

You do not own your Facebook or Instagram pages. Your social media efforts can go to waste when these platforms change their policies…. Or remember the horror last month when Facebook and Instagram went down??

On the other hand, you do own your email list, and it is not influenced by decisions of other businesses. When you have your email list, it means that you always have a way to communicate important information to your audience.

3. Conversion rate

The average conversion rate for email marketing is between 3% to 5%.

Compare this with social media where the average conversion rate is 1.9 and it makes sense to start building a list.

4. Reach

Today, you’re able to reach an average of 1-2% of your Facebook followers. According to studies, an average of 78% emails delivered. (The other 22% may get blocked or sent to junk/spam folders.)

Although some of these delivered emails may then remain unopened, you will continue to get clicks on your campaign as it will stay in the inbox until it’s ready to be read. There is no lifespan on an email… but the lifespan of a social media post can only be hours.

5. Most people check their inbox daily

Lastly, email a great way to share big announcements and stay in touch. Not everyone will check your Instagram feed or Facebook page everyday unless they are a fanatical fan!

But they’ll probably check their email everyday.

So, if you have something important to share, and want to be sure that your audience receives it, then an email list is an excellent medium to keep in touch.

If you are ready to start building your email list, please download my free guide – 5 Steps to attract your Perfect Client.