Creating an email list on Etsy is a great and easy way to engage potential and existing customers and generate more sales for your Etsy shop.
Up to 64% of small business owners use email marketing to reach and sell to their customers.
Using an email list should be a priority if you’re an Etsy seller looking for an effective way to market your products. While learning how to build a list on Etsy isn’t rocket science, some Etsy store owners don’t know how to do it.
My article will teach you all the steps and details necessary to build and grow your email list.
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Why You Need an Email List
Creating an email list is a great way to build relationships with leads before selling to them. It allows you to continue conversing with someone through email, which is still one of the most popular communications tools. Moreover, it’s also an effective tactic for keeping customers engaged and continuously marketing products to repeat customers.
How To Build Your Etsy Email List
Here’s a step-by-step guide to building and growing an email list for Etsy business owners.
Choose an Email Service Provider.
The first thing you need to do is consider your email service provider. You need the right email service provider to send your messages to your list of subscribers.
Here are some of the most popular options for Etsy sellers like you.
Check out as many options as you can before making a final decision. Take advantage of the free trial that reliable and popular email marketing tools usually offer.
You can use the following criteria when deciding which email service provider is best for you.
- User experience
- Email frequency
- Email list size
- Type of content you want to send
- Cost
Create a Simple Landing Page.
Your email marketing strategy should include an opt-in or landing page where people can subscribe to your list.
You should include basic information about your business on your landing page.
Add fields for potential and existing customers to enter their contact details. In most cases, asking for a name and email address is enough, and asking for other information is unnecessary.
Your opt-in should be sleek and straightforward. You don’t want it to be too long, but you also want to provide a concrete reason Etsy customers should join your email list.
Here are tools to create a simple yet effective email opt-in.
Promote Your Email Opt-Ins.
Promote your email opt-in to get more subscribers. Here are some strategies you can try as an Etsy shop manager.
On Your Etsy Shop Banner
You can potentially grow your contact list by adding a link to your email opt-in to your Etsy banner. The only downside is that users won’t be able to click on that link. Ensure the link to your landing page is short and easy to remember so shoppers can enter it into their browser’s address bar.
On Social Media
If you have a social media account connected to your Etsy shop, encourage your followers to subscribe to your mailing list. Create social media posts that entice followers to go to your landing page and subscribe.
On your Facebook account, you can also add a link to your email opt-in on the button below your Facebook cover. On Instagram, you can add the link to your bio.
You can also join Facebook groups and post links to your mailing list there. Make sure you do so in a tasteful way. Don’t spam forums and pages with your email list. Try to add value by giving tips, sharing insights, or telling a story before inviting someone to join your mailing list.
To Your Existing Customers
Reaching new customers can be five times more expensive than keeping existing ones. As such, it’s a good idea to invite existing Etsy customers to be a part of your email list. It’s easier because you already have a relationship with your existing customers.
While Etsy doesn’t allow you to send unsolicited Etsy Conversations to get email sign-ups, there are some ways to collect customer emails.
One way is to add an inline sign-up. You can also print a physical card and include it with the product once you ship it out.
On Your Website
If you have your own website, add an opt-in there too. Add it on the home page and create a pop-up to get people to subscribe to your email sign-up list.
You can purchase a theme with built-in integration to email marketing services or even use a free plugin if you’re good with something basic.
Create an Incentive to Sign Up.
Increase the number of signups by offering an incentive for someone’s details.
In some way or another, inviting people to sign up is just like selling a product—there needs to be an exchange of value. Provide something of value if you want people to sign up for your list.
Here are some incentives to encourage people to sign up when you collect email addresses:
- Free training videos related to your expertise (ex., offer a short video course on calligraphy if you’re a calligrapher)
- A discount code on the next purchase
- A free phone or computer wallpaper
- Links to helpful resources
- First access to your upcoming items
- An idea board with tips related to the things you sell
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Should I Use My Given Name or Etsy Shop Name When Sending Emails and other Etsy-Related Communications?
Using your name offers a more personal approach. People are more likely to warm up to you if you use your given name rather than your Etsy shop name.
You can add your shop name as a note in your email so that your subscribers can connect the email they receive to your shop.
Can I Add My Etsy Customers to My Email List?
You might wonder if you can use the buyer’s email address after completing Etsy-facilitated transactions.
It’s against Etsy member-buyer consent rules and other applicable Etsy policies to use a buyer’s identity for marketing or unauthorized transactions. Always get consent before adding customer email addresses to your list. Failure to do so could jeopardize the reputation of your shop.
Sending unsolicited commercial messages is risky and ineffective. People don’t like receiving spam, so this tactic could likely backfire on your business brand.
Data privacy laws protect data such as customer email, contact number, payment information, and other personal details. Never add a buyer’s email address to your email or physical mailing list without the buyer’s consent.
Get customers to join your email list voluntarily by sending them to a sign-up page after. You can also create a card with a “thank you” message that includes an invitation to your list.
You can read Etsy insights about extending your reach through email newsletters for more information.
What Information Can Etsy Sellers Send to Email List Subscribers?
Here are examples of content you can send to your email newsletter members.
- A shop announcement
- Sales and discount offers
- New products
- Testimonials and customer feedback
- Blogs and articles
- Videos connected to your expertise or products
The Bottom Line
Hopefully, my guide has made it easier for you to build your email list on Etsy. Start building your email list today and use the tips I outlined in this article.
If you want to get more email subscribers, promoting your opt-in isn’t enough. You should also know how to promote your Etsy shop.
