5 Foolproof Useful Ways to Build Your Local Email List And 5 Real-Life Examples of Local Businesses That Saw Great Results

Did you know that 99% of consumers check their email every day?



Moreover, email marketing is the greatest driver of customer retention for 80% of retail professionals, and 87% of marketers use email campaigns to nurture their audiences.

With stats like these, it’s clear why building an email list is crucial for any local business.

How about a few anonymous examples (some online social media digging would likely unmask the anonymity) of some short wins where a local business turned their email list into a new profit stream?

Building a local email list can be a game-changer for many local businesses. Here are some real-life examples of businesses that saw great results:

Restaurant in Pittsburgh

A local restaurant in downtown Pittsburgh started collecting email addresses from their customers and sending weekly newsletters with special promotions, menu updates, and upcoming events. This helped the restaurant build a loyal customer base and boost their sales.

Personally, I would advise an Akzis VIP client to take it one step further by creating a secret email list subscriber-only menu with two selections featured at a time that must be ordered using a secret phrase shared only with subscribers.

My team would also advise the restaurant owner to put together dishes that maximize profit based on unused supply in stock.

Clothing Boutique in Ann Arbor

A small boutique clothing store in Ann Arbor, Michigan used social media to promote their email list and offer a discount to customers who signed up. They then used email marketing to promote new arrivals, seasonal sales, and exclusive discounts to their subscribers, resulting in a significant increase in online and in-store sales.

I would take it one step further and offer an annual subscriber-only, after-hours event held at the store where admission is granted only upon the digital confirmation of the attendees’ email address as a subscriber.

The event could feature a charity auction tie-in for local visibility (and to help the community) as well as appetizers and drinks and a sneak peek of the latest trends and/or products.

Gym in Bismarck

A local gym in Bismarck created an email list and used it to send workout tips, nutrition advice, and motivational messages to their subscribers. They also sent out exclusive offers and discounts on personal training sessions and gym memberships, which helped them retain customers and attract new ones.

Coffee Shop in Bangor

A Bangor, Maine neighborhood coffee shop, with plenty of much-larger competitors, created an email list and used it to promote their weekly coffee tastings, game nights and live music events. They also offered a free cup of coffee to new subscribers, which helped them build their list quickly and attract more customers to their shop.

Bookstore in Denver

A local bookstore in Denver with several locations used their email list to send locally focused book recommendations, unique author interviews, and updates on upcoming book signings and events. This helped them build a community of book lovers and boost their sales both online and in-store, which, so far, has kept their independent stores popular and thriving in a very difficult time.

In the example above, you'll notice the main heading is a question. That immediately grabs the attention of the would-be subscriber, who is then led to decide whether he or she is, in fact, an adventurous eater. This was used on a restaurant's website, social media (remade into posts), and eventually as local ads.

As you can see, building and using a local email list can be a powerful tool for any local business.

Whether you're a restaurant, boutique, gym, coffee shop, or bookstore, email marketing can help you build a loyal customer base, drive sales, and grow your business.

But I know that you already have a lot on your plate, and the idea of building a list can be overwhelming.

That’s why the Akzis VIP team came up with some quick and easy hacks to help you out:

• Train your cashiers to ask for email addresses during checkout, and let customers know they’ll get early access to sales or special coupon codes if they subscribe.
  

• Post about your list on social media and include a link to your opt-in form. Consider adding an incentive like a discount or special promotional offer like an upgrade.
  

• Add email addresses that you’ve collected from your loyalty program or other sources to your main email list, and include an opt-out option at the bottom of the email.

• Partner with other local businesses to mention each other to their respective email lists and attract more customers for both. This is a marketing partnership strategy of sharing authority and trust.

• Put opt-in forms on every page of your website(s), including your home page. Experiment with static opt-in forms on the margin of the page, as well as pop-ups and light boxes, to see what gets the biggest response. Don’t just slap a generic, “Join our newsletter” opt-in form on your site. Give people a real reason to subscribe! Make it specific like offer a targeted checklist, or actionable quick workbook, or even a handy printable. Use it to showcase your expertise and understanding of what your customers desire the most from your brand.
  

Primanti Bros. kept it simple. A quick reason (or bribe) to join their email list with an easy-to-understand pay-off the new subscriber can enjoy next visit.

The Ultimate Local Email Marketing Bonus Tip

Add an enticing ‘P.S.’ at the bottom of your emails to upsell your next email and build anticipation. Mention what content the subscriber can look forward to tomorrow or later in the week, and stick to it. Give them a reason not to hit that unsubscribe link at the bottom!

Remember, email marketing has one of the highest ROIs of any marketing technique, and we highly recommend it to all our clients. These local email marketing tips will help you build a robust list, create content your subscribers will love, and grow your business, but you must put them into action starting today.  

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us anytime.