How to get subscribers through my store?

[SC2]

Hi there,

I have regular visitors to my store but I rarely get anyone subscribing to my newsletter. I offer a 10% discount on their first purchase, plus details of up-and-coming deals, etc - but no bites! Any advice on anything else I can do to entice them to sign up?

Thanks!
SC

[Nick]

Hi SC, 

Nick here from Shopify. 

Really good question. Newsletter signups are one of the more difficult things to build and take a lot of work to maintain. Let's take a look at some of the best techniques to encourage people to sign up for your newsletter below:

• Strategy - I think without a strategy of some kind, you are making newsletter posts just because. By defining exactly what you want to achieve by having the newsletter to make sure it's worth your while creating the content. If there is no strategy in place and you are spending time creating content you could be better spending your time on other aspects of the store which might be more impactful. 
• Social Media promotion - Your social media followers already have a vested interest in your brand. By using social media platforms to promote your newsletter where you have the best chance of reaching the people who already like and care about you, there is a better chance of increasing the signup rate. 
• Pop-Ups - While it might seem intense and very in your face, pop-ups for newsletter signups are very effective. You can make it so your 10% discount offer on a customers purchase can only be retrieved by signing up and having the code in the first newsletter. There are some great pop up apps in the Shopify app store which you can find see below
  • Privy - Exit Pop-Ups & Email
  • Pop-Up Window
  • Free Pop-Up
• Header announcement - Similar to a pop-up but not as intense, you could create an announcement on your header bar and a click through straight to a newsletter signup. The Shopify app store has some good apps which can help you apply an attractive header with relative ease here. 
• Experience - Once people have signed up, the last thing you would want is for them to unsubscribe. By constantly being creative and coming up with fresh ideas to offer an experience within the newsletter

There is lots of good content on the internet with tips and tricks on how to get new subscribers to your newsletter but it is all about finding the right fit and what works for your brand. A great post I found for 5 tactics different to what I mentioned can be seen here. 

I hope this helps and don't hesitate to ask any other questions should you have any. 

All the best, Nick

P.S. I have moved your thread to the E-Commerce marketing topic from announcements as it is better suited there has more of a chance of other people seeing it and offering any other potential tips. 

[SC2]

Thank you, Nick - This is fantastically helpful 🙂

Strategy was something I certainly didn't consider; I went straight to the 'what' and 'how' rather than spending a lot of time on the 'why'. So thank you for signposting that - it's a great point.

Best regards,

SC

[Nick]

Hi SC, 

My pleasure, glad you find it valuable. Newsletters sign-ups and Newsletters are tough, so fleshing out a strategy and defining what you really want to achieve by them is something I find important. 

Best of luck with it all. 

Nick

[AAAecommerce]

Great Help.

[Rockpapercopy]

Hi there! Maggie, a Shopify Partner here 🙂

Over 70% of the people who leave your website will never return - that's why it's crucial to capture the leads asap - and then keep in touch via regular updates.

You can convert many of these abandoning users into email subscribers with one simple trick?

It’s called Exit-Intent® Technology. It detects user behavior and prompts them with an opt-in form when they’re about to leave:

Majority of the signup apps have this in their settings, so remember to create this pop up with an irresistible offer. 

Convert readers of your articles - with a sign-up form at the end of each post

Readers who reach the end of your article are primed.

Your headline grabbed their attention. Your introduction drew them in like moths to a flame. Your bullet points and anecdotes kept them on the edge of their seats.

Of the millions of articles they could have read, they read yours. And they read until the very end.

They like you. That’s why the end of your article is the perfect time to ask them to join your mailing list.

Here’s How You Do It

Adding a call to action in your author bio and the end of each article is a great way to strike while the iron is hot. Here’s how we do it:

Readers who make it to the end of your articles are focused. They’re engaged and looking for direction.

Give them direction. Direct them to your email list.

Another great way to get more subscribers is to turn popular posts into lead magnets

They can have a form of giveaway or free [downloadable] product offer. They are insanely effective at compelling readers to subscribe to your email list:

“Want this neat bonus? It’s free! I just need your email address…”

It can be a free guide of the best apps you've reviewed or PDF document with the best Amazon books in your niche. Something you know your target customers will find very valuable and will be happy to share their email address to get it.

Content Locking

I sometimes use this technique, if I created a lengthy article [6+ pages] and don't want to clog my website with it. I upload only first 2000 words onto my website [so the page is still rich in content] and at the end, I include a sign-up form asking people to sign up to receive the full article to their inbox. It's a win-win strategy - your readers get to enjoy the full article and you get a new subscriber. Perfect!

These are only few ways you can get more subscribers creatively. You can also test different CTAs [calls to action] within the form, different colors, buttons, sign up form sizes [full page welcome mat, or a small corner popup] to see what's working best with your visitors.

If you'd like to learn more, or if you'd like me to implement this strategy on your website, make sure to contact me today!

Best regards,

Maggie

Shopify Partner | Ecommerce expert

Rock Paper Copy  

maggie@rockpapercopy.info 

[popsmash]

One additional tip: If you have a solid social media presence, focus on getting your social followers (e.g. Instagram followers) onto your email list.

With email marketing, it is much easier to track, nurture and convert customers than with social. People will rarely just sign up, so use an incentive.

One incentive that works great on social media to get email subscribers is running an Instagram giveaway. There are Shopify apps that can automate it for you, or you can do it yourself manually, it's just a lot more work.