Quick Summary:
Your total email reach is everyone who could have seen your email. It’s your total list size. Knowing this helps you see how many people you can talk to and how to grow that number. Let’s make it super simple!
Hey There, Email Adventurers! Jack Here from LTDWave!
So, you’ve started sending emails, which is awesome! It feels a bit like whispering secrets to a growing crowd, right? But sometimes, you hear terms like “reach” and wonder, “What does that even mean for my emails?” It can sound a little confusing, like trying to count stars on a cloudy night.
Don’t worry one bit! We’re going to break down “total reach” for your email marketing so it’s as clear as a sunny day. Think of it as figuring out how many friendly faces are in your audience.
We’ll go step-by-step. You’ll learn what total reach really is, why it’s a big deal, and how to easily find yours. By the end, you’ll feel super confident knowing exactly who you’re talking to and how to chat with even more people. Ready to dive in and make your email list shine? Let’s go!
What Exactly is “Total Reach” in Email Marketing?
Imagine you have a party planned. Your “total reach” is everyone you’ve invited to that party. In email marketing, it’s simply the total number of people on your email list. That’s it!
It’s the maximum number of people who could receive and potentially see your email. This includes everyone who has subscribed, even if they haven’t opened an email in a while.
Why Does Total Reach Matter So Much?
Knowing your total reach is like knowing the size of your megaphone. It tells you the potential audience for your message.
It helps you understand:
- The overall size of your community.
- How many people you can potentially influence or help.
- The scale of your marketing efforts.
This number is a foundational metric. It’s the starting point before we even look at opens or clicks.
How to Easily Find Your Total Email Reach
Calculating your total reach is thankfully super straightforward. You don’t need a calculator or fancy math skills!
Step 1: Log in to Your Email Marketing Service
First things first, head over to the platform you use to send emails. This could be Mailchimp, ConvertKit, Sendinblue, or any other email service provider (ESP).
Step 2: Find Your “Audience” or “Subscribers” Section
Once logged in, look for a section that lists your contacts. It’s often called “Audience,” “Subscribers,” “Contacts,” or something similar.
Step 3: See Your Total Number
Your ESP will proudly display the total number of subscribers you have. This number is your total reach!
For example, if your email service shows you have 1,500 subscribers, then your total reach is 1,500.
It’s that simple! You’ve just found your total reach. High five!
Understanding Different Types of Reach (It’s Not Just One Number!)
While “total reach” is your entire list, it’s also helpful to think about other ways your emails connect with people.
Total List Size (Your Absolute Reach)
This is the number we just calculated – everyone on your list. It’s the biggest picture.
Deliverable Reach
This is the number of emails that actually made it to someone’s inbox. It’s your total list size minus any bounced emails (emails that couldn’t be delivered).
Engagement Reach (The “Talking” Audience)
This is the group of people who actually open and click on your emails. This is your most active and engaged audience.
Let’s Look at Some Numbers: Reach vs. Engagement
It’s important to see how your total reach compares to the people who actually engage with your emails. This gives you a clearer picture of your email’s performance.
Here’s a little example to help you see the difference:
| Metric | What it Means | Example Number |
|---|---|---|
| Total Reach (Total Subscribers) | Everyone on your list. | 2,000 |
| Deliverable Reach (After Bounces) | Subscribers who can receive emails. | 1,950 |
| Opened Emails | People who opened your email. | 400 |
| Clicked Emails | People who clicked a link in your email. | 100 |
See how the numbers get smaller as you go down? That’s totally normal! Your total reach is your potential, but your engagement reach is who’s actively listening.
Why Growing Your Total Reach is Important
A bigger reach means more potential customers, more supporters, and more people you can share your message with.
Here are a few reasons why growing your list is a great goal:
- More Opportunities: More people mean more chances for sales, sign-ups, or engagement.
- Stronger Community: A larger list often means a more vibrant community around your brand or project.
- Better Data: With more subscribers, you get more data to understand your audience better.
- Resilience: If some people unsubscribe, a larger list can absorb that change.
Smart Ways to Grow Your Total Reach
Ready to invite more friends to your email party? Here are some super effective ways to grow your list!
1. Offer a Valuable “Lead Magnet”
A lead magnet is a freebie you give away in exchange for an email address.
Think of things like:
- A helpful checklist
- A free e-book or guide
- A discount code
- A template
- Access to a free webinar
Make it something your ideal audience would absolutely love.
2. Make Sign-Up Forms Easy to Find
Put sign-up forms where people are likely to see them.
Good spots include:
- On your website’s homepage
- In your blog posts
- On your “Contact Us” page
- In your website’s footer
- On your social media profiles
A simple pop-up can also work, but don’t make it too annoying!
3. Use Social Media to Promote Your List
Share links to your sign-up page on your social media channels.
You can:
- Post about your lead magnet.
- Add a “Sign Up” button to your Facebook page.
- Include a link in your Instagram bio.
4. Encourage Referrals
Ask your current subscribers to share your newsletter with friends who might like it.
You could even:
- Run a contest where they get an extra entry for referring a friend.
- Offer a small discount to both the referrer and the new subscriber.
5. Run Contests and Giveaways
People love free stuff! A contest can be a fantastic way to attract new subscribers.
Make sure the prize is relevant to your audience.
Tools to Help You Grow Your Reach
You don’t have to do this alone! There are amazing tools that make growing your list much easier.
| Tool Name | What it’s Great For | Good for Beginners? |
|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp | All-in-one email marketing, easy to use, good free plan to start. | Yes! Very user-friendly. |
| ConvertKit | Built for creators, great for automated sequences, simple interface. | Yes, especially if you plan on lots of automated emails. |
| HubSpot CRM (Free) | Combines CRM, email marketing, and more. Excellent for tracking leads. | Yes, the free tools are very powerful and easy to navigate. |
| OptinMonster | Powerful pop-up and lead generation tool to capture emails. | Yes, it has user-friendly templates and settings. |
Keeping Your Reach Healthy: What About Unsubscribes and Bounces?
It’s natural for some people to unsubscribe or for emails to bounce. This is actually a good thing for your list health!
Unsubscribes
When someone unsubscribes, they are choosing not to hear from you anymore. This is okay! It means your list is filled with people who genuinely want to be there.
Bounces
Hard Bounces: These are permanent errors, like an invalid email address. You should always remove these from your list.
Soft Bounces: These are temporary issues, like a full inbox. Your ESP usually handles these.
Keeping your list clean by removing hard bounces actually helps improve your email deliverability and your sender reputation. It ensures your emails are more likely to reach the people who are still interested.
Measuring Success Beyond Total Reach
While total reach is your starting point, you’ll want to track other metrics to see how your emails are performing.
Open Rate
This tells you what percentage of people who received your email actually opened it.
Formula: (Number of unique opens / Number of deliverable emails) 100
Click-Through Rate (CTR)
This shows what percentage of people who opened your email clicked on a link inside.
Formula: (Number of unique clicks / Number of unique opens) 100
Conversion Rate
This is the ultimate goal for many emails. It’s the percentage of people who took a desired action after clicking a link (like making a purchase or filling out a form).
Formula: (Number of conversions / Number of unique clicks) * 100
These numbers tell you if your emails are not just being seen, but if they’re also engaging and persuading your audience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Got more questions? No worries, we’ve got your back!
How can I start email marketing with no money?
You can start with free plans from email marketing services like Mailchimp, Sendinblue (now Brevo), or MailerLite. Focus on creating a great lead magnet and promoting your sign-up link on free social media channels.
How do I write subject lines people click?
Keep them short, clear, and intriguing! Use emojis sparingly. Ask a question, create curiosity, or highlight a benefit. Personalize them if you can. For example, “Quick Question for You!” or “Your Free Guide is Here!”
How often should I email my list?
There’s no single answer, but consistency is key! For many, once a week or twice a month is a good starting point. The most important thing is to send valuable content regularly, whatever frequency you choose.
How do I know if my email is working?
Look at your open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. If these numbers are improving over time, your emails are likely working! Also, pay attention to replies and how people interact with your content.
How do I stop my emails from going to spam?
Only email people who have given you permission. Use a reputable email service provider. Keep your list clean by removing bounces and inactive subscribers. Avoid spammy words in your subject lines and content. Ensure your emails are mobile-friendly and provide a clear unsubscribe link.
What’s a good open rate for an email list?
For most industries, an open rate between 15% and 25% is considered good. However, this can vary a lot! If your list is highly engaged and you have a great relationship with your subscribers, you might see much higher rates, which is fantastic!
How do I calculate my engagement rate?
Engagement rate is often a combination of opens and clicks. A simple way to think about it is your click-through rate (CTR), as clicking is a stronger sign of engagement than just opening. Some also look at replies or shares.
You’ve Got This, Email Superstar!
Wow, we covered a lot, didn’t we? You’ve learned that your “total reach” is simply the total number of people on your email list – your potential audience. It’s the foundation for everything you do in email marketing.
Remember, growing your reach is about inviting more friends to the conversation, and you now have clear, simple steps to do just that! Don’t forget that the real magic happens when those people engage with your emails.
Keep sending those valuable messages, keep growing your list with kindness, and keep celebrating every little win. You’re building something special, one email at a time.
Now go out there and make some amazing connections! I’m cheering you on every step of the way!