What is a mailing list?
A mailing list is a collection of email addresses used by a person or organisation to send marketing material to multiple recipients. It's a tool that gives users an easy way to
distribute information to groups of people.
Instead of listing each address individually, the user just enters a single address into the message. That address points to a list holding all the recipient addresses, simplifying the job of reaching everyone in the group.
Types of mailing list
Response lists
Response lists hold information about people who have responded to your
offer in some way. These might be customers who've made a recent purchase or requested information about a product or service.
They're usually among the most profitable lists, because it's easier to generate sales from
potential customers who've already bought from you or shown direct interest in your company.
Compiled lists
These mailing lists are pulled together from various sources such as surveys, telemarketing or databases. A compiled list holds contacts who've never heard of your company or shown interest in your products. Because of that, it's harder to generate sales from them.
Newsletters
These mailing lists use
email format and are designed to send information to customers and build awareness of your company. The key is focusing on sending useful content to subscribers — blog articles, tips or news.
By sharing useful information rather than
sales content, you'll build loyalty with your audience, which eventually turns into sales.
Promotional lists
These are the most common type of email marketing list today. Promotional lists aim to generate sales by sending coupons, offers, new product announcements and other discounts.
Discussion lists
Discussion lists allow communication between several people around the world, focused on a specific topic. They let every list member discuss the subject by email, with everyone subscribed able to read, send and publicly reply to messages.
