Where should we ask for email addresses from our constituents?

1 Vote

First and foremost is your own web site; email sign-up should be available and prominent on every page, visible “above the fold,” meaning that visitors don't have to scroll to see it.
Online petitions and online event registration are excellent places to obtain addresses of people who are interested in your work. In such situations, it is critical to notify those addresses they're being added to your list, and provide an opt-out mechanism; in general, always tell supporters when they are going to be added to your list.
Any form or tool on your website that collects user info should give an option to join your list. This includes online action centers, stores, and donation tools. The best practice is to include a pre-checked box in each online form, that supporters can uncheck to opt out.
Promote your web address and email list in print publications.
Consider including your domain name on banners and all other printed materials you create to drive traffic back to your site for possible sign-ups.
Always have sign-up sheets at live events and ask for email addresses when circulating petitions or other documents where individuals share contact information.
And when collecting addresses offline, never forget the obvious: make sure someone owns the task of getting those email addresses into the email blasting system, and make sure it gets done immediately. Too many email sign-up sheets get left at the event venue, and many others are entered months later when folks barely remember signing up or why.

Labels: List Building, Effective Email