What is the best way to collect emails without a brick-and-mortar location?
Because I can't afford a brick-and-mortar location to sell my books and I'm still working on getting my books into large bookstores, I've started selling a lot of my books at local open air markets. I've had a lot of sales but don't know the best way to collect their email and stay in touch with them. Should I have a piece of paper for an email list? Can I just ask every customer to write their email down, or do I need another incentive?
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Sep 3, 2014
I would have a book for them to write down their email address or if you have a lap top with you create a spread sheet and at time of sale just ask for it then.
Sep 3, 2014
Caitlin- I represent book publishers and authors and must tell you that in today's world, a big portion of sales is via online, direct sales either as an instantly downloadable e-book (Kindle or direct to your iPad). Highly advise by first creating the 'structure' of your business, and that's your website and social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, You Tube, Pinterest, Instagram-all online locations where you can drive traffic to your website for email data collection). Once you've got your infrastructure in place, use keywords and tags to engage followers who are more apt to be interested (if you're writing #ChildrensBooks, guess what a good tag would be? :)....potential consumers looking for 'Children's Books' will search (and find you) using that tag/keywords. Next, set up an account with an email data collection service like, MAIL CHIMP (easy to use, and once you set up your account, you can create a custom URL that you can tweet/share via your social media platforms to drive email sign ups (ie: Be the first to know about my next #ChildrensBook for #Christmas-sign up here: http://customurl.com ...)...Always Be Driving Traffic...
With your website...have a data collection widget placed strategically at the top of the home page-make it a priority call to action (maybe you can give away an old book in digital ebook form for new sign ups as an incentive or a 50% off coupon).
When selling at open air markets and such, bring an iPad or laptop, and allow interested followers type in their data on the spot..or go old school, and print out a form with a clip board and just let folks sign up by hand.
Over time, this email database is your goldmine...and your digital connection to the customer...but be mindful of overdoing the messaging...short and sweet, and don't spam....occasional..not every week...hope this helps you get on your way...best-g
Sep 3, 2014
first do you have a website, personal of business no matter.
add a comment section to it, predisposed to send their comments to your email address.
On your sales table; place a box, print up slips to collect email address
For the web: try a capture page to collect email addresses..
Aweber.com, GetResponse.com, and many other marketing systems all have what you need.
Sep 1, 2014
First off, grab a copy of the Can-Am SPAM law and make sure you are in compliance for whatever you wish to use those e-mails for. Next, the best way is with an opt-in form asking for the information, and if you have something to offer them, i.e. a discount, a free e-book, free newsletter, etc. then you will see a greater opt-in rate. Then, sending a confirmation request (known as double opt-in verification) almost always assures you are in compliance and not sending SPAM. That also lends weight to your professional status. As would having a website of your own! Opt-in forms are very basic to design, write and code, but if you have no one who can do that then check on a site called fiverr.com and you will easily find someone who will do the job for you for FIVE DOLLARS ... hence the name. Make certain you look at the conditions, you buy the rights to use it without further charge and be prepared for them to try and upsell you, which may be beneficial to you if you need the form installed. If you are using Word Press, there are dozens of plug-ins for opt-in forms, even pop-up and 'persistent' ones - you know the kind, they follow your scrolling up and down as an overlay to the page. FYI-your current method is fine IF you note a paragraph at the top of the page granting you the opt-in permission to e-mail up front and you will get more sign-ups if you use the same type of incentive hook "advance notice of upcoming, sample chapters, discount on my next ..." Make it something that they can only receive via e-mail because a free book, key chain, anything like that might bring you some false addresses. Also, have you tried Kindle? A free offer to 'sign' at a local bookseller in exchange for them ordering X quantity of your book? If you write fiction, you should have the imagination to come up with more ideas to promote locally and then ask for a referral letter or photo the event / display of your books, etc. to forward to other booksellers in neighboring towns.
Aug 30, 2014
Write down? Caitlin, I presume that in order to sell your books at open air markets you are accepting credit cards so you don't have to carry a ton of cash with you. If you are, you're probably using a smartphone or tablet to transact your business. If you aren't, then you need to be.
In either case use your smartphone or tablet as a portable kiosk. Sinisa gave you great insight on information to capture. It can be done by setting up a form on your device and simply have the buyer file out the information as you are conducting the transaction.
Yes, you may have to provide some incentive to get the purchaser to provide their contact information, but it doesn't have to be expensive.
Aug 29, 2014
Make max account of site who offer job in these site you can pick email of different people ,
Aug 28, 2014
Collect business cards by raffling one of your books. Use a fishbowl. People will know you are using the cards to build your list. It's common practice. Or you can create your own raffle slip and indicate on the bottom of it that they will be added to your email list. Then stay in touch through your Facebook page or with a monthly e-newsletter. Good luck!
Aug 28, 2014
Hi, Caitlin. If you have an iPad or Android tablet, MailChimp has a mobile signup form feature that may work for you. Even if you don't have internet access at the location you're selling at, the signup forms will be stored locally on your device. They will then sync and upload to your account when you are able to get back online. Here is the URL with some more information:
http://mailchimp.com/features/mobile-signup-forms/
I hope this helps!
Aug 28, 2014
Email marketing is the #1 marketing tool you can use today; so building an email database is not only a great idea but also a necessity for your business as well as any other. With that said and knowing you do not have a brick and mortar at this time, as some have suggested, a website is a great way to capture opt-ins. Right at the front, offer something in return for the sign up. Another tool to consider is creating a simple landing page. I build them for free for my clients. We promote them throughout the internet directly targeting their demographic and geographic audience. When targeted correctly, people will gladly give you their emails and you'll have a massive database in no time.
Exactly! It is as simple as that for a start. The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.