You want the mailing list to end all lists. You dream of the day that you send out a newsletter and get an unbelievable spike in sales. That time will come, it just takes time and effort. Here are ten techniques used to build monetizable email lists.

1. Ask for an email at the point of sale

You already have the attention of the customer. Ask for their email address and tell them that they will be given exclusive opportunities for discounts on your product. You have generated good rapport with your customer, capitalize upon it by asking for something in return.

2. Prominently display privacy policy

Like you, your customers need to be reassured that their information is not going to be sold or given away. They need to know that their information is private, and will be kept under wraps. Make sure that your potential subscribers know that you have a strict privacy policy that you adhere to.

3. Encourage distribution

In the body of your newsletter, encourage your readers to send out your information to their friends. After all, they don’t know if your information is going to be useful. Place links to subscribe to your newsletter within each of your publication so you can encourage its distribution.

4. Visible Sign Up

How are people going to know about your mailing list if you don’t say something about it? Don’t beat people over the head with your newsletter, give them the option to opt-in on those great deals.

5. Conduct Survey

Conduct an interesting survey and advertise that the results will be posted in your newsletter. Tease the readers who have not subscribed with interesting information that you have discovered from this survey. Your customers want to feel like they are involved with the process.

6. Start a loyalty program

Offer discounts to newsletter subscribers for a minimal percentage discount off of your product. Advertise the fact that you offer these discounts to mailing list readers and give the people ample opportunities to sign up for the program.

7. Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool which can be used to get people interested in your site. Create a group and join it, then ask that a few others join your group. Make sure that there is a link to your mailing list available and you will gradually pick up new subscribers.

8. Build it, don’t buy it

Your customers want to sign up for your information on their own. In the customer’s eyes, you will lose a lot of respect if you buy their information and automatically sign them up for your newsletter. It is considered to be junk mail and has very little conversion.

9. Develop relationships

Customers are not numbers. They are people who want to buy your products and services. By developing a special rapport with your clients, you are enticing them to become more involved and engaged with your product. They will be more than happy to join your mailing list because they see you as a valuable resource.

10. Advertise frequency of mailings when you tell them what they’re getting

Nobody likes to be spammed with a newsletter every day. Aim for once a week or once every two weeks with your mailer so that your readers will not be overwhelmed. Make sure that your potential subscribers know how often they can expect to receive your work so that they know they are not getting spammed.

Making a killer mailing list takes time, energy and effort. Monetize your mailing list by allowing your customers to come to you on their own with only a tiny nudge of encouragement from you. Developing relationships naturally leads to new friends and higher profits.

James is a writer and product analyst at an online ink cartridges supplier based in the UK. He writes on a huge range of subjects from the HP 300XL to arts, design and hardware on their blog.