The #1 most effective method of blogging marketing is having an impressive email list. This guide is full of blogging tips to build one!
by Kimberly Pangaro, Founder & CEO of Atomic Mommy
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Hey there, fellow blogging champions! Today, we’re diving into the often-overlooked sea of email list building. It’s one of the most important blogging tips that I can provide you and will help you grow your hobby into a business.
In a world full of Instagram influencers and TikTok celebrities, it might seem like email is as relevant as dial-up Internet. But hold onto your keyboards, because you’re about to discover the true power of a robust email list for your blogging journey.
The Power of ‘You’ve Got Mail’
You may wonder why, in this era of social media dominance, you’d need an email list. But here’s the deal: social media platforms come and go, algorithms change, and you’re always playing by someone else’s rules. Remember when Instagram went down and millions lost access to their accounts causing a slow down of incoming revenue stream? Well, that’s why bloggers need to build an impressive email list.
Your email list is completely yours – it’s a direct line of communication to your readers. No third-party gatekeepers, no algorithm hindrances, no crashes on social media platforms — just you and your subscribers.
To build a revenue generating email list takes tact, patience, creativity, and consistency. So, I’m going to help you start the process and take the guess work out of it. Let’s get started.
Step 1: Choose an Email Marketing Service
Your first step into the email list universe is choosing an email marketing service. There are several options out there like MailChimp, ConvertKit, or AWeber. These platforms make it easy to collect email addresses, manage your list, and send emails. Choose one that fits your needs and budget. Don’t worry, most have free tiers for beginners. My favorite for beginning bloggers is MailChimp — you don’t need any real coding experience, they offer a free plan, and their campaign options are great!
Step 2: Create a Sign-up Form
Most email marketing services provide easy-to-use form builders. Use these tools to create an attractive sign-up form. Ensure to integrate this form onto your blog – ideally, in multiple locations like a notification bar at the top of your site, the sidebar, in the footer, and as a pop-up. You want to make the path to subscription as easy as possible for your readers, without being intrusive.
Bonus tip: set your pop-up sign-up form to load on “exit” so you readers can you enjoy your blog and see the value in it before committing to become a permanent subscriber.
Step 3: The ‘What’s In It for Me?’ Factor
People guard their email addresses like precious treasure. So, why should they give it to you? You need to offer something valuable in return. This could be an exclusive eBook, a downloadable template, a free course, or even just the promise of weekly tips and insights. This is known as a lead magnet.
Bonus Tip: Use Canva Pro to create these free downloadable templates, ebooks, and worksheets.
Step 4: Drive Traffic to Your Sign-up Form
It’s not enough just to have a sign-up form, you need to drive traffic to it. How? Promote your lead magnet and sign-up form across your blog posts, social media channels, and any other platforms you use. Make it clear what your readers will gain by subscribing.
You can do this by ensuring you place a sign-up form at the bottom and in the middle of every post you publish. Another great way to drive traffic to your blog and gain more subscribers via your sign-up form is using Pinterest. Their platform touted having 463 million users in April of 2023.
Step 5: Email with Purpose
Having a big list of subscribers is great, but what’s even better is a list of engaged subscribers. So, how do you keep your readers interested? Email with purpose. Each email you send should offer value – be it useful information, entertainment, or exclusive offers. Keep a consistent schedule and stick to it, but don’t overdo it as your readers will become annoyed and may unsubscribe.
Step 6: Test, Analyze, and Adjust
Finally, remember that building an email list isn’t a ‘set it and forget it’ thing. You need to continuously test different strategies, analyze the results, and make adjustments. Try different lead magnets, sign-up form placements, and email content to see what works best for your audience.
In Conclusion
There you have it — a beginners guide filled with blogging tips to build an email list like a pro! An email list is like a golden ticket in your blogging journey. It might take some time and effort to grow, but the results are well worth it. Now, go forth and conquer your email list!