Indiana Arts Commission
November 30, 2004
Tips for Building & Managing Your E-Mail List
The economics of e-mail communications are largely driven by scale. Costs drop dramatically as scale increases. As such, it is impossible to achieve meaningful results absent a committed, sustained, proactive, creative effort to capture e-mail addresses.
- Ask for e-mail addresses at every patron contact point
Box office, Telemarketing calls, Reception desks, Lobby tables, etc. Create a prominent place on your web site for visitors to register
- Refer patrons to an online registration site from all print communications
Marketing and fundraising correspondence, Brochures, Flyers, Newspaper ads, etc.
- Promote online registration with low-cost direct mail
Highlight why online registration is beneficial to both your organization and the patron
- Offer an incentive, reward or prize
Online responders expect a benefit in return for giving you their e-mail address
- Indicate how you intend to use the e-mail address What you'll send and the frequency of your e-mails
- Create a special class of benefits for e-mail patrons
E-mail newsletter, Information about last minute ticket discounts. Pre-event program information, Special sponsor related discounts, etc.
- Make a special effort while patrons are in your building
Program book inserts, Ticket stubs, Banners, Reception desk cards, Lobby tables
- Involve the entire organization in the effort
Objectives and incentives for all patron contact departments and direct mail campaigns
- Use your advantage Passionate, committed, enthusiastic patrons who already have an interest in your mission. You're challenged nonetheless to e-mail information relevant to their diverse interests.
- Focus on patron service and retention The highest and best value in e-mail marketing is not in reaching new patrons; it's in maintaining and strengthening relationships with current subscribers and members.
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