5 Ways to Use Social Media to Build Your Email List

You want to build your email list. You also want to grow your social media following.

While both marketing techniques can be effective in and of themselves, using them together gets you better results.

If you have a large following on Facebook or Twitter, just imagine being able to capture the email addresses of all those prospects - people who have already indicated interest in your brand!

Similarly, being able to leverage your email list to increase and engage social followers is also an incredibly beneficial marketing technique.

But how are you supposed to grab email addresses from Twitter followers, or get email subscribers to engage with you on Facebook?

Here are 5 proven methods for leveraging social media to build your email list (and vice versa!)

1. Ask for what you want

If you want email subscribers to connect with you on social media, why not ask for what you want?

Choose one network at a time and create an email blast (or series) that invites subscribers to connect on a particular social network.

Don't assume that your subscribers are already aware of your social presence - make it easy for them to Like your Facebook page or follow you on Twitter by providing specific links and directions in your next email blast.

2. Drive social traffic to your opt-in form

Just as you can use email to drive traffic to social sites, you can use social media to drive traffic to your email capture form.

Tweet about your lead magnet, invite people to opt-in via Facebook, and use various social platforms to spread the word and incentivize followers to give their email addresses.

3. Use social icons and "Click to Tweet" in emails

In addition to asking subscribers to connect with you via social, make it easy for them to share your content with a single click.

Social sharing icons, and "Click to Tweet" links should be included in every email you send. In this way, you can build your email list while simultaneously increasing your social reach.

4. Create an email opt-in form on Facebook

You can embed an email opt-in form right into your Facebook page and collect email addresses within the application.

This allows you to obtain your fan's email addresses without asking them to navigate away from Facebook, and may be even more effective than trying to drive social traffic back to your website.

5. Blog about your lead magnet

Chances are a lot of your activity on social media involves promoting your blog or online content.

Make sure that readers are encouraged to opt in to your email list within the blog itself. You might include a reminder at the end of each blog post, or use an entire blog to feature the benefits of your lead magnet.

When followers land on your site after coming from various social channels, they'll be automatically enticed to opt in to your email list by reading your blog.