Should I buy an email list?

[ChristianN559]

I don't have an existing email list. But I noticed that there are sites out there where you can buy an email list. Is this a good strategy?

[Chris-S · Accepted solution]

Good question @ChristianN559 

Purchasing an email list may seem like a quick solution, but it comes with several drawbacks; it's best to avoid this strategy:

1. Low-Quality: contacts on purchased lists may not have an interest in your product or service. They probably aren't even aware that their email addresses are being sold, leading to negative responses from recipients. (Think of telemarketers calling you.)

2. Legal Issues: sending emails to purchased lists without explicit consent can violate anti-spam laws like the CAN-SPAM Act or GDPR. This can result in severe fines and damage to your reputation.

3. Reputation Damage: unsolicited emails to purchased lists can tarnish your brand's reputation and credibility. Recipients may mark your emails as spam, negatively impacting your deliverability rates.

4. Ineffective Marketing: even if you manage to reach some recipients, conversion rates are likely to be low since they haven't actively opted in to receive emails from you. Building an organic email list through opt-ins ensures you target individuals genuinely interested in your offerings.

Instead of buying email lists, focus on building your own organic list:

1. Engaging Content: Create compelling content that encourages visitors to subscribe to your newsletter.

2. Incentives: Offer discounts or exclusive content in exchange for email sign-ups, providing value to potential subscribers.

3. Digital Channels: Utilize social media and other digital platforms to drive traffic to your email sign-up forms.

4. Networking and Events: Attend industry events and network to collect email addresses from interested individuals.

By prioritizing the growth of an organic email list, you'll reach people genuinely interested in your offerings, leading to higher engagement and conversion rates. Quality over quantity is key when it comes to building a successful email marketing strategy.

[Chris-S]

You may also want to check out the end of this Be A Marketer thread @ChristianN559. Someone asked a similar question, and a few of our brilliant Community Coaches @DavidFischerSolutionsForGrowth, @TraceyLeeDavis and @MelanieDiehl offered some great insights. 

Be a Marketer: Ask Dave!