Offline List Building – 9 Methods that Work

Offline list building is an overlooked method to build your list of subscribers.

As a marketer, even if you’re a beginner. You almost certainly understand the importance of and power of an email list.

One of the best things you can do. Is stop focusing your entire list building efforts online. And start seeking subscribers elsewhere.

Remember, not everyone is online 24/7.

It may sound daunting at first to think of trying to find subscribers offline. But it’s not as difficult as you think.

You’re about to learn some of the most surprising sources of free email subscribers.

And how to access those sources quickly and easily.

Offline List Building Method #1

Partnerships

One of the best ways to get more email list subscribers is to form partnerships with local businesses. Or even businesses in other locations.

In order to leverage their marketing power while also benefiting them.

Here’s how it’s done:

1.)Create a small postcard, business card or flyer. That tells people what freebie you’re offering as a signup incentive and include the URL to your squeeze page.

2.)Approach a local business within your niche. Or at least closely tied to it. And tell them you want them to distribute your marketing material.

3.)In exchange, you can offer to send an email to your subscriber list on their behalf. Once every so often (bi-weekly, monthly, yearly, whatever you decide on.)

4.)The business owner can then distribute your material. In customers shopping bags, on their checkout counters, on their bulletin board, or wherever else you and the owner agree on.

You can both benefit this way.

Because you get additional subscribers that match your niche. While the business owner gets access to the marketing list you have already built.

Without building his or her own list.

If you are worried about approaching businesses in person.

Simply create a query letter and send it to local business owners you think would be a good fit. And then let them come to you.

This way, you’ll feel less like you’re intruding.

And if they contact you then you can be sure they at least have some interest in your proposal.

Offline List Building Method #2

Magazine Advertising

One major source of email list subscribers that a lot of people tend to overlook is magazine advertising.

They tend to think it’s too expensive. Or that magazine readers aren’t internet savvy.

First of all, most people are at least partially internet savvy these days. So just about any source of traffic will connect you with a decent number of people. Who has internet access and knows how to make use of it.

But as more and more people use the internet instead of traditional media.

Magazines are finding it harder and harder to sell advertising.

And advertising cost has dropped considerably in many publications.

You can also contact the magazine just before their publishing deadline. To see if they have any unsold advertising slots that you might be able to get at a discount.

This could save you a significant amount of money.

The great thing about magazines is that they are available in just about any niche you can think about.

Even if there isn’t one exactly in your niche.

You can always find one that would involve a great portion of your market. (For example, advertising in a fashion magazine if you have a fitness product.)

Offline List Building Method #3

Local Giveaways & Events

Keep an eye out for local events where you can find people who might be interested in your niche.

Conventions in your niche would be ideal.

As would swap meets or other events where your potential customers might gather.

Offline List Building Method #4

Free Stuff

Incentives online are a good way to get subscribers. Offline freebies can also be a great incentive.For example, a local gym might allow you to pass out free bottles of water. That has been re-labeled with your marketing material that has your URL on them.

Yes, it will cost you a bit of money to buy these incentives.

But if you’re in a highly targeted area and you buy in bulk they shouldn’t cost you all that much. Compared to the cost of acquisition for your typical email subscriber.

Here are some ideas of free items you could give out:

-Pens

-Bottles of water

-Magnets

-Stickers

Just be sure to tailor the items you give out to your target market. As well as to the location in which you’re handing them out.

(For example, hand out water bottles at gyms or the beach. And hand out pens at schools, libraries, and office complexes.)

Offline List Building Method #5

Local Saver Papers

Most locales have a saver paper that is full of local ads and coupons.

This could be called something like:

-The Thrifty Nickel

-The Thrifty Saver

-The Budget Saver

You get the idea.

These local papers can be a goldmine of free or very low cost ads.

And if your product even remotely has mass appeal,they can be a great source of free leads.

This is especially true if you have a great squeeze page and offer.

Offline List Building Method #6

Online Classified Ads

Okay, this method is online but it works the same as you’re old newspaper classifieds.

Sites like AdsLand Pro and of course Craigslist can be a good fit.

Especially if your product can fit into one of their categories.

And you can keep from having your ad marked as spam by users.

Be sure to include something like “free report” in your title so that people don’t feel misled by your ad. This will draw more negative attention to you. Don’t give people a reason to report you.

If you’d like the offline version of this, simply place ads in your local newspaper.

Offline List Building Method #7

Bookstores

You’ll need to get permission for this one.

Otherwise, you could end up getting banned from your local bookstore. Which is no fun for anyone.

But you can get postcard-sized or bookmark-sized ads printed.

Then you can slip them inside books that relate to your target market.

Just slip the ad inside the front cover of the book.

Not only will the eventual buyer see your ad.

But potentially dozens of browsers as well.

Offline List Building Method #8

Hotels

If you have a product that has mass appeal.

Hotels and motels can be a great source of subscribers.

This is especially true if your product would appeal to travelers.

The best place to locate your ad is inside the nightstand drawer or on the desk inside each room.

However you’ll definitely need permission for this from the hotel’s manager.

You could also slip ads under the door or leave them on the counter in the lobby.

Offline List Building Method #9

Business Cards

Never overlook the power of a simple business card.

It may seem old-fashioned.

But a business card can be an incredibly powerful marketing tool. And it can work more often than you think.

How many times have you met someone new. Or even talked to someone you haven’t seen in years. And they asked what you do for a living?

If you’re a fairly social person, this probably happens now and then.

If not, you could always start a conversation with random people you meet.

And ask what they do, which will almost always get them to ask you in return.

Boom! Business card!

As a bonus, business cards are handy for placing here and there:

-You can pin one on bulletin boards.

-Leave one on bathroom counters.

-Slip them into books.

-Put stacks on counters anywhere you might find someone who is interested.

Get inexpensive printing at:

VistaPrint.com

Conclusion

If you’ve been struggling to build your email list.

It’s time to start thinking outside of the box.

You’re competing with a large number of marketers online.

And you may find it difficult to connect with your audience. If a lot of those users are subscribed to the mailing lists of a lot of other marketers in your niche.

They may be reluctant to sign up to another list. And if they do, you may find they aren’t as responsive.

But if you look offline. You’ll soon find that you’re reaching customers you otherwise couldn’t reach if you focused your efforts solely online.

To Your Success,

Joshua