How to Choose the Best Email Database

Social media isn’t a buzzword anymore. It’s now a business for everyone. Many organizations are leaving websites and email address books, to focus their efforts predominantly on their Facebook, Instagram or Twitter accounts.

So, where does this leave email?

Email is not going anywhere for a really, really, really, long time. We need to radically reconsider and understand that email can be a powerful tool if used correctly.

 

Did you know that about 81% of online shoppers who receive emails suggesting similar products, are more like to make a purchase? (eMarketer)

More importantly, 77% of email ROI comes from segmented, targeted and action triggered campaigns. (DMA)

The stats speak for itself. Now, the big question is – How can you capitalize on email best features to grow your audience (database) and generate more sales and leads?

Here are a few ways you can grow your database in a real and measurable way –

1. Make your opt-in clear and visible.

Sure, your Facebook and Twitter share and follow icons are right up there. But Facebook decides when your customers view your content, and your feed is mostly lost in a Twitter stream. But what about your own email list and email signups?
Bring those sign ups forms where your prospects will see them and will be compelled to use them.
For Example: SuccessMeasured positions its email sign-up form smack dab in front of your eye! 

Success measured2. Reassure People about Spam

People don’t want spam. As simple as that. They want to be sure that they aren’t going to receive a bunch of spam if they subscribe to your page. So along with your signup forms, it’s best to detail the types of communication that will be sent along with the frequency. Plus, no sell their email addresses to any third parties.

3. Organize A Giveaway

Using small mail and/or your existing email list, send people a postcard asking for email information and offer them a reward for providing it. You’re bound to get a few hits. You could also arrange referral rewards for those who get others to sign up or subscribe to your page.

These are fool-proof ways to grow your email database. Not only is this credible, but you can literally build your database for free. Only downside – it’ll take time.

If you’re short on time, here are top 10 tips to choose the best email database –

1. Live Person Support

Try calling the seller a few times. If you can’t get through to somebody to talk to, you can bet that you’re in for a bogus email list.

2. Range of leads

Regardless of whether you’re in the B2B or B2C sector, the best database will give you a range of leads from different sectors and industries to choose from. Use this to your advantage and filter the sector that will be most beneficial to you.

3. Quality of Leads – 90+ Percent Delivery!

The quality of leads should matter more than the quantity. Choose one with a 90%+ delivery rate. If you have the numbers but a sky high bounce rate, it’s not going to help you achieve anything. Choose quality leads that yield higher open rates.

4. It should fit your budget

Now there might be email databases that fit the bill completely, but might be too pricy for your pocket. As a start-up that needs to grow their database, you need to identify a middle ground for a database that gives you what you need within the right price.

5. Make sure you have FULL NAMES and DIRECT EMAILS

Having the full name will let you know if you’re receiving multiple email addresses for the same person, and having the direct email address will let you know how many email addresses you’re receiving from the same household or company.

6. Segmentation

You should ideally know the Who, Where, and How’s of your audience. It includes looking at demographics, psychographics, geographic and behaviour. This is very important to getting quality leads specific to your product.

7. Updated Leads

The database you choose should have been updated fairly recently because, let’s face it – email addresses change. Leads acquired through different sources that haven’t been updated only increases your bounce rate.

8. Review Reference

Before you finalized on a database, check out what others are saying about it. Maybe one of their competitors have better ratings from past users. You don’t want a database that has been so overused that your emails are just sent to spam.

9. Compare Your Options

By carrying out an A/B test, you will find out which strategy works best. For example, you decide for options and links for option A and B. Based on that which database responds better, you can choose those emails.

10. Try before you buy

Some databases give you samples of what’s to come so you can make a more informed decision. Most of these give you sample leads through free credits or by sharing the brand name on social media.