Sunday, April 11, 2010

Building Your Digital Database

My good friend Eden, over at Bargainista.ca, was spreading the word on a great contest - $500 towards a day at The Stillwater Spa and $500 for Davids - and also asking, "What does it take to get you to share your email address and phone number with businesses?"

My answer?
I won't provide my phone number but will give you my email address if  you give me a discount or something for free.  If I am a frequent customer, like my bank or the neighbourhood toy store (which I frequent once a week), then I don't need any incentive but I do need good content.

Here are some great examples:
- Khiel's gives its members a free lipbalm once or twice a year.
- Sporting Life and Pistacio give you a discount off your complete purchase by giving your email address.

The next and I think bigger question is. "What does it take to keep you opt-in to business emails...and possibly a phone call?"

My answer?
The same as above with a few key items.

1. Don't email me too frequently.  DON'T spam.
2. The content, freebies and/or discounts should 'matter' to me. 
3. You don't share my email address with anyone.  That includes your affiliated businesses.

1 comments:

Bargainista said...

And if you really want to sign up for a newsletter or other special offer but aren't too keen on sharing your primarily email address, you can always create one specifically for these kinds of things. I did.