258. Five Smart & Ethical Ways to Build Your Email List and Connect with Customers

258. Five Smart & Ethical Ways to Build Your Email List and Connect with Customers

Author: Wendy Batten, Creative Retail Mentor April 28, 2025 Duration: 24:31

With host retail coach Wendy Batten

 

https://wendybatten.com/podcast-intro/

 

In This Episode: 

What's something you are doing now in your retail business that you wish you would have started doing sooner? When I ask clients this question, the answer is often "I wish I would have started an email list sooner." 

The reason is because they've learned over time that email is still a super powerful tool! It's a direct line to your customers - no "beating the algorithm" required. 

In this episode, I'm giving you 5 simple ways to build your email list and keep your customers happy. You'll learn how to connect better, sell more, and own your customer relationships.

I hope you'll join my email list (if you aren't already on it)! You can do that by scrolling to the bottom of my homepage HERE.

5 Ways to Build Your Email List:

  1. Ask your customers at checkout to join the list: You can use a QR code to do this!

  2. Do an in-store give-away.

  3. Offer a freebie/lead magnet as an incentive to join.

  4. When you host events customers need to pre-register for, ask those folks to join the list when they are registering.

  5. Use a pop-up on your website and ask people to join: Simple and effective!

 

Remember to ensure your emails are valuable to your clients. You want them to look forward to hearing from you! Regular emails help you sell more and build loyal fans of your brand. Who doesn't need more of that in their retail shop?

"If all of your social media accounts were gone tomorrow, how would you connect with your clients?" -Wendy Batten

 

Need more?

Join me and our supportive community of retailers in my Retailer's Inner Circle! There is so much to love about the Inner Circle: access to countless masterclasses on everything from inventory management to money matters, a supportive community of like-minded retailers to bounce ideas off of, a monthly playbook to track your progress and help you plan your events and promotions, and so much more. Check it out HERE.

 

Not ready to join but want to purchase the stand-alone Foot Traffic Made Simple masterclass? You can purchase it on demand HERE.

 

Related podcasts we think you'll like: 

Episode 254: Behind the Counters: The Magic of Joining Forces to Foster Community and Build a Retail Destination Town with Millie and Adam Blackwell

Episode 253: Mastering Social Selling: How Retailers Can Boost Sales and Build Loyal Customers



About your host, Wendy Batten

In case we haven't met yet, I'm Wendy, a small business coach and founder of the Retailer's Inner Circle, where I help other independent shop owners learn how to gain the right business skillsets to see more profits, paychecks, and joy as they navigate running their retail business. 

Through online classes, business coaching programs, speaking, and a top-ranked podcast, I've helped hundreds of retailers around the globe reclaim their dream and see the success they want from their beautiful shops. My signature private coaching community, The Retailer's Inner Circle, has helped retailers around the world build their retail business skill sets and confidence. 

I am proud to have been featured in several major publications, including my own business column in What Women Create magazine. I have been privileged to be a guest on top-ranked podcasts and sought-after as a guest speaker and teacher for several brands, associations, and communities that are passionate about the success of independent retailers.

When I'm not coaching, you will find me either DIYing and renovating my very imperfect old crooked cottage by the sea in the UNESCO World Heritage town of Lunenburg, NS, or blogging about our travel and RVing adventures and the weird fun things we get up to in our coastal village. I'd love to invite you to check out one of my free resources for real retailers at https://wendybatten.com/free-resources/ 

 

For more support from Wendy

 

Retailer's Inner Circle - Join Wendy inside the best retailer's community

Free resources for shop owners  

Hang out and connect with Wendy on IG 

 

All of Wendy's programs and services for shop owners can be found HERE. 

Subscribe & Review on iTunes

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If you want to be more of a rockstar, I'd love it if you could leave a review over on iTunes as well.  Those reviews help other retailers find my podcast and they're also fun for me to go in and read. Just click here to review, select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" and let me know what your favorite part of the podcast is. So grateful for you! Thank you!


Running a creative retail business often means juggling a hundred questions at once, from attracting the right customers to filling workshops and making social media feel less like a chore. Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten is where those pressing, daily questions meet practical, real-world answers. Hosted by creative retail mentor Wendy Batten, this podcast draws directly from her work with shop owners globally and conversations with industry leaders. Each episode feels like a focused coaching session, breaking down the complexities of modern retail into actionable steps. You’ll hear honest discussions about gaining control over your marketing, streamlining operations, and building a shop that thrives not just survives. The dialogue is grounded in the reality of running a physical creative business, offering strategies that are both thoughtful and immediately useful. Tune in for a blend of Wendy’s direct mentorship and insights from peers who understand exactly what you’re building. This isn’t about vague theory; it’s a resource for turning your unique vision into a sustainable, bustling enterprise. Find clarity and confidence for your creative shop by following the podcast wherever you listen.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Creative Shop Talk with Wendy Batten
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