How to Grow Your Subscriber List

As Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BFCM) loom, the spotlight often lands on crafting irresistible deals and eye-catching campaigns. But there's an equally critical component that could make or break your BFCM success: your email and SMS subscriber lists.

An inbox bursting at the seams with promotions can't work its magic if your audience isn't paying attention. With industry studies revealing a steep drop in customer engagement over time, an engaged and growing subscriber list isn't just nice to have; it's a necessity. But how do you ensure your message resonates amid the BFCM frenzy?

Why growing your subscriber list is crucial

Expanding your email and SMS lists is like setting the stage before the grand performance of Black Friday sales. It's about transforming casual browsers into engaged subscribers, ready and waiting for your BFCM deals.

And the timing couldn't be more perfect. The BFCM season brings a surge of traffic to your doorstep—an untapped opportunity to convert fleeting visits into lasting connections.

1.Mastering the Art of Popups

Popups, when used correctly, are the most powerful tool for growing your lists. The key lies in crafting popups that aren't just visually appealing but offer incentives, perfectly timed to grab visitor attention. Here's how to make use of them effectively:

Irresistible Incentives

Craft your popups around the question: What's in it for the customer? Tempt them with a sneak peek into your biggest sale of the year or exclusive early access offers. The goal is to present an offer so compelling that subscribing becomes a no-brainer.

Gamifying the Experience

Interactive, gamified popups can boost engagement and leads. The idea is to create a fun experience while collecting subscriber information. However, make sure these popups are not overwhelming and are integrated with the user's browsing experience.

Timing and Placement

Implementing tab-triggered popups allows visitors to interact with your content first and then subscribe. This respects the user's browsing space and facilitates a more organic subscription process.

Dual-Channel Sign-Ups

Make sure to include options for email and SMS when designing your popups. If this isn’t something you’ve previously implemented, target current email subscribers in the lead-up to Black Friday with popups encouraging them to join your SMS list.

Exit-Intent Popup

Exit-intent popups capture the attention of users thinking about leaving your site. By offering a last-minute incentive, such as a special discount for BFCM, you can convert hesitant visitors into subscribers while keeping them around for longer.

A/B Testing

Experiment with your pop-ups. With interchangeable imagery and messaging, A/B testing can reveal surprising insights about what resonates best with your audience. A brighter image or a certain colour could boost sign-up rates.

2. Leveraging Restock Alerts 

The inevitability of products selling out can serve as a strategic advantage. Back-in-stock alerts not only attract potential customers but can also grow your subscriber base.

Keep a 'Notify Me' button on your product pages when items run out. Increase customer retention by offering different ways for customers to subscribe to restock alerts, including email and SMS.

While the immediate goal of these alerts is to inform customers about product availability, each sign-up is an opportunity for further engagement with your audience.

3. Ask for Referrals

Your existing customer base can be a goldmine for expanding your subscriber list. A segment of your customers is already enamoured with your offerings; capitalise on word-of-mouth advertising and transform passive consumers into active promoters. 

For every new subscriber they gather, offer existing customers a compelling reward. This could range from an exclusive discount to a special gift or bonus loyalty points. Such incentives not only boost your subscriber list but also deepen customer loyalty.

4. Trial a Quiz

Quizzes aren't just fun; they're potent tools for subscriber growth. This approach is especially effective in sectors like skincare, wellness, or fashion, where personalisation is key. 

Okendo and Octane AI are great tools for setting up and implementing a quiz that resonates with your audience. We've crafted a number of engaging quizzes to suit our clients and their customers’ preferences. 

Advertise your quiz on social media and through website pop-ups, offering results by email to boost your list.

5. Contests and Giveaways

Rev up the excitement for Black Friday with strategic contests and giveaways. These campaigns, like sharing a post and tagging friends, quickly expand your reach. 

Collaborating with other brands can further extend your audience. But remember to incorporate an email or SMS requirement, turning a fun social media buzz into a direct channel for growing your subscriber list.

Launch these contests well ahead of Black Friday and reveal winners via email, ensuring your brand stays in the spotlight during this period. 

Final Thoughts

It’s always a good idea to nudge social media users to subscribe to your emails. Contests and quizzes aren’t the only way to do this. Make sure your social strategy is optimised, offering deals and advertising collections through posts and stories and directing users to your store’s site. Increased traffic equals list growth if your popups are popping.