Steps to Building a Quality Database to Help Grow Your Business
You probably already know that having an extensive user database is important to growing your business and staying at the top of mind for your customers, but what you may not realize is that building a quality database can be overwhelming, especially if you’re starting from scratch. It may seem intimidating, but the longer you put it off the harder it becomes. So how do you go about building a quality database? First off, you need to understand your customer and what they are looking for. Then, it’s time to visit the options and objectives outlined below.
Buying a List
A lot of businesses do this, especially if they are starting from a database with a whopping number of 0, but there are definitely some issues that come along with buying a list. Sure, you get the numbers you need and that can be great and really tempting – especially when you’re just starting – but the problem with these lists is that they aren’t qualified. Obviously a database filled with customers that want to hear from you is better than one filled with ones that don’t, but a lot of marketers still believe in the power of paid lists and the opportunities they bring. Another problem with these lists is that a lot of email clients require that your lists be filled with customers who have actively signed up to hear from you and paid lists don’t always make the cut. If you do decide to go with a paid list, make sure you’re sending out something of value so that you have something to offer to the people who do open your communication.
Getting People to Sign Up
This is a really important part of building a quality database. How do you get users to sign up? Depending on the type of business you have, you may not have people lining up at your door to hear from you, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t interested. You need to figure out how to give them something they want in return for their contact information. Make sure you have a sign-up button on your website and in any physical locations associated with your business like a store or during a convention. Create an ebook with information you know they’d be interested in, host a webinar, or send out coupons and/or offers in your emails. The type of incentive you offer and how much information you ask for will depend on what you do and what you want to know from consumers but one thing is true for all of businesses: If you want users to sign up, you need to give consumers an incentive whether that be interesting content or an offer.
Re-Engage & Mange
Once you have a growing list, it’s important to use it. Don’t just collect emails and never look at them again. Get yourself on a CRM system like Salesforce to help you manage all your contacts and start communicating with them. You’ll begin to learn what works and what doesn’t, as well as what users are just interested in and what makes them turn from a consumer to a customer. Try segmenting your lists and sending out different emails to different users with different interests. Identify what you consider to be a good lead, and get rid of the ones that aren’t. A bigger list isn’t always a better list. Get rid of inactive or spam addresses, and focus on the ones that are likely to buy and make you the money that will help you hit your bottom line. Sure, communication is important, but at the end of the day you can’t forget about making money and what you’re really after.
If you haven’t done so already, the time the start building a quality database to help grow your business is now. It may seem like a big task, but taking it one step at a time can help – and you don’t need to do it alone. Click here for more information on building a quality database and to find out how we can help you.