If you want to remain top-of-mind with your customers (as well as nurture people who are interested in your business, but not yet buying from you), you need to be able to stay in touch. While social media may seem like a good first step, you’re limited in how often your audience sees your posts. And you’re not in control of the algorithms that impact that so... You need to start building your email list. With a list, you can stay in touch and remain top-of-mind by sending newsletters, discount coupons, event information, and specials. You’re more likely to be able to bring customers in the door with a strong list it also gives them something to talk about and circulate among their friends. Plus,92% of online adults use email regularly (not sure what the other 8% are doing when they’re online but whatever). And you don’t have to worry about the "social media powers that be "keeping your messaging from those you want to see it. There are many ways to build a list. To capture online emails, you simply offer something of value (video, course, checklist, or other exclusive content)in exchange for an email. You’ll also want to be clear that they will occasionally hear from you. Make sure you give the option to opt out as well. But how do you build your email list outside of Lead Magnet?
25 Ways to Build an Awesome Email List
1. Host webinars or courses.
2. Run contests or giveaways. Incentivize sign-ups by offering prizes relevant to your target audience.
3. Include sign-up forms on your website Make it easy for visitors to subscribe on high-traffic spots like your homepage, blog posts, and landing pages.
4. Promote your email list on social media. Encourage followers to sign up for exclusive content or updates. Let them know what they’ll receive. Discounts are a top motivator for sign-ups.
5. Run targeted ads. Use social media advertising platforms to reach a specific audience and promote your email list sign-up.
6. Add a sign-up form to your email signature.
7. Offer referral bonuses. Encourage existing subscribers to spread the word by offering rewards for referrals.
8. Run exit-intent popups. These popups appear when a visitor looks like they’re about to leave your website. Offer a last-minute incentive to subscribe.
9. Partner with other businesses. Cross-promote your email lists with businesses that complement your offerings.
10. Host Q&A sessions or live chats. Offer valuable interaction and require email sign-up to participate.
11. Run interactive polls or surveys. Gather valuable data while building your email list. If results would appeal to your audience, offer to send them the conclusions for their email.
12. Offer free trials or consultations. Capture leads interested in your paid services.
13. Repurpose content into email newsletters. Provide ongoing value to keep subscribers engaged.
14. Offer a challenge. These can be live videos or pre-recorded content, or emails sent daily. The length of challenges can vary so get creative.
15. Run interactive content like quizzes or games.
16. Offer loyalty programs or rewards. Give subscribers points or discounts for signing up and taking specific actions (e.g., opening emails, referring friends).
17. Utilize offline methods. Collect email addresses at events, trade shows, or through in-person interactions.
18. Use a QR code. If you have a brick-and-mortar business, place a QR code next to your register that directs to a VIP customer list they can join. Give a discount on their next purchase for signing up.
19. Retarget website visitors. Use website retargeting ads to remind visitors who haven't subscribed yet about your valuable content and email list.
20. Create a CTA. Add a call-to-action to join your email list wherever you’re giving value such as blog posts, 
newsletters, videos, etc.
21. Leaving comments. While I’m not a big fan of this one, if you have an engaged and vocal audience, you can require an email address to leave comments on your blog.
22. Write for a third-party. Reach a bigger audience by writing for LinkedIn or Medium. Make sure you add a call-to-action to join your email list.
23. Tease content. Just as trailers for movies whet a moviegoer’s appetite to see the upcoming film, post small bits of content with "read more "links to see the entire article for the price of an email. Many newspapers have adopted this strategy.
24. Create a game. The New York Times has cashed in big on this approach. Want to know how you did against the Wordle Bot? You’re going to pay for that with your email (and a few dollars).
25. Guest blog. Write for someone else and add a CTA to join your newsletter to stay in touch.

Hiring is one of the costliest things you do as a business as it can leave you exposed and vulnerable. While a good hire can be a turning point in your business, a bad hire can leave you (and your employees) reeling. That’s why the interview and selection process are important. However, it’s what you do after that that will shape the employee and your team the most. No matter the size of your business, if you are bringing someone new on, you must consider the onboarding process. What Is Onboarding and Why Does It Matter? Onboarding is the first exposure your new employee has to you and your business. A bad—or nonexistent—onboarding process will override an enjoyable recruitment. Recruiting is the courtship. Employment is the marriage. If you did something in recruitment/hiring that isn’t reflected in the first few days on the job, the new employee will feel a disconnect and may begin pulling away. Onboarding sets the tone for your fledgling relationship. It shapes how they’ll feel about leadership and their peers. And it can increase employee productivity by 72% and employee retention by 80%. So, it’s worth the effort. Onboarding goes beyond gifting and training. And should be a consideration for every size business. If you are hiring, you’re never too small to consider onboarding. 

Components of a Successful Onboarding Program
The onboarding process should consist of a

• Solid introduction to what your business is (mission) and what you do(training). Most employers know how critical training is, but they forget to introduce the new employee to their position in the universe. A good onboarding shows the employee “you are here” and gives them a mission of how they fit in to the larger plan, thus giving them purpose early on.
• Welcome. Onboarding is making them feel part of a team. This should begin with a welcome email(or text)and a “what to expect” on your first day before they arrive. If you run a small operation, this may seem like overkill, but firsts can be unnerving. Employees should know where they can park, what they should wear, and what lunch will look like (will you take them out? Is there a special hour they must take lunch?)Sharing this info will help them feel at ease and excited about joining the team.
• Buddy. If you’re more than a team of one, consider assigning them a peer buddy to answer their questions early on and check in on them. A buddy can likely give them more attention than you can and will feel more approachable.
• List of resources. Make sure they know whereto go for what. It’s important for the new employee to feel like they have what they need to succeed. Explain how you will work with them to remove road blocks and what they can do to make that happen. Detail the process.
• Introductions. Help them get to know other sin all departments or verticals. Again, this makes them feel like they’re part of something bigger.
• Understanding of company culture. If there’s something you require of employees or something you don’t want them to say, like using the excuse “I’m new” to a customer, train them early on it and ensure they understand the “why” behind it. They’ll be more apt to remember the training if they know why it’s critical or what it does for the customer.
• Establish work/life balance early on. Bring up vacation schedules and how they’re decided. Inform your new employee about breaks and ensure they take them. Model good behavior in establishing a work/life balance for them as well if you want them to have staying power.
• Explain what they can expect from training now and in the future. Tell the new employee how you prioritize learning and growth.
• Give them some swag. This is the honeymoon phase for your employee. When you give them some swag, they not only feel welcomed, but they’re also more likely to become a branded advertisement for you because they’re proud of their new role.
• Be Ready. One of the most critical things behind an onboarding process is that it gets you ready for your new employee. If you take the time to recruit, woo, and hire a new employee and then they show up on day one and don't have a physical space and the tools needed to perform the job, they can feel like an after thought. Have everything ready for them the day they start.

By Christina Metcalf
Facebook: @tellyourstorygetemtalking

​SOUTHERN INDIANA (April 11, 2024) - The Indiana READI 2.0 award announcements have been received 
and the Indiana First Region has been awarded $15 million. Prioritizing quality of life, place, and 
opportunity, the five-county region is prepared to generate extensive investment for Hoosiers in respect 
to housing, business development, innovation, and talent attraction. 
The Indiana First Region, which includes Harrison, Knox, Perry, Pike, and Spencer counties have been 
steadfast at advancing their key priorities of Talent Attraction, Business Development, Development 
Viability, Housing, and Quality of Life and Place, through READI 1.0 funds, private capital investments, 
and regional collaboration. The first round of READI 1.0 funds began the catalyst movement of housing 
and infrastructure demands needed to support current and future Hoosier residents by the 
development and ongoing construction of nine (9) housing projects, 291 Single Family Homes, and 187 
Multi-Family Housing Units. 
Building off this momentum of housing, the Indiana First Region has substantially increased growth in 
education and workforce development through job creation, investment in entrepreneurship and 
innovation, and creating pathways in more advanced degrees. Projects across the region include the 
Lanesville Business Park, Nursing + Health Careers Expansion / SIM Labs, Ivy Tech Workforce Training 
Project, Southwest Indiana Megasite, and the Pike County Economic Development Shell Building
Indiana First prides itself on its creativity, innovation, and tenacity towards growth and collaboration in 
Southern Indiana. The region is dedicated to ensuring the regional economic development strategy is 
put into action and makes the necessary impact to continue diversifying the economy, fostering
innovation, entrepreneurship, and attracting new businesses. 
For more information on the Indiana First Region and to stay up to date on the success of 1.0 projects, 
please visit: https://swidc.org/regional-strategy/indiana-first/