How to ROCK Your Email List

No matter who you are, or what you write about, all bloggers need to compile an email list.  We spoke on this in a past Blogging411 episode.  It was a beautiful moment as Allison convinced Randy that this matters, Nikol was overwhelmed by the fact that Randy changed his mind. (Blogging411 is always surprising, if anything at all!)

The first reason to get an email list is that YOU own the information.  Facebook, Twitter and Instagram may be your friend, but they are not loyal to you.  They can shut you down tomorrow and, if they do, you will lose all those “fans” and any access to them. Your email list, however, is yours. You own it. End of story.

Second, even if you don’t use it now, some day you may have a product you will want to sell such as an exciting new venture, or maybe a book.  Whatever big news you have to share, sometimes a blog post just won’t do.  You need another way to share the biggest and best news you have with your most loyal readers.

So here is how to make sure you are getting the biggest bang with your email list and newsletter subscription.  This is more than just sending out your RSS feeds via email.  Think bigger and grow your email subscription list!

Here is How to ROCK your Email List and Newsletter:

Pick a service.

Constant Contact is a wonderful product but they charge – and that price goes up exponentially the more subscribers you have.  MailChimp is free but doesn’t have quite the same flexibility.  AWeber is among the favorites of the power users and Mad Mimi is quickly becoming more popular.

Place a sign up box prominently on your home page.

Using the widgets or HTML code function, put the sign up box in a BIG IMPORTANT space on your home page.  Make sure you fix the code so you don’t just have a generic, bland call to action that says “Subscribe to my email list.”  No, be bolder!  Tell readers what they subscribing for!  Is it “Subscribe now for amazing DIY tips delivered to your inbox” or “All the latest parenting news and humor sent to you directly” or “The hottest fashion tips, trends and outfits?”  Remind people what they are subscribing to and the unique value your emails provide. We will get into the fancy email pop-up boxes you can install later.

Give Them Something Free

To really rock your email list, give folks something for subscribing.  For us, we give anyone who subscribes to our email list our Ultimate Blogger’s Checklist.  We remind folks that it has nearly 100 tips, tricks and links for bloggers of all levels.  People keep a tight check on their emails today, but if you can give them something of value in exchange for them providing YOU something of value, it’s a win!

Don’t Spam

The reason why we all keep tight tabs on our email is because we get way too much of it!  Be sure that your emails provide value.  Don’t just send an email once a week because it is in your content calendar and it is “just what you do.” Emails should be interesting, worth reading, and full of information.  Yes, drive folks back to your blog/website with tidbits they may have missed from your site, but also provide unique content that is available only via your email.  It makes folks want to read…then keep reading. Unique, good content in your email will also make them want to share your email which will, in turn, drive more subscribers.

Put Pictures in Your Emails

Include pictures!  No one likes to just get text.  It overwhelms us and isn’t visually stimulating.  Be sure to include good, quality, interesting images.

Don’t Make Your Email all About You

Sure, it is yours.  You probably have important call-to-actions you need your readers to take. If you send an email that is entirely about you and how amazing you are, you will lose people, quick.  Be sure to provide them content they want to read. For example, share posts you’ve seen by others you love. Support and share industry-related news. Be sure to include all proper credits.

Keep It Legal

If you are capturing email addresses you must have a privacy policy available (as an example, see our Privacy Policy). When people give you their email address, they are trusting you with valuable information.  Treat it with respect. Be clear with subscribers about what you plan to do with their information.  Can you sell the list? Will you? You must also give people an opt out. This is automatic with any of the services we mention above, but if you have any doubts, check to make sure that anyone on your list can unsubscribe themselves at any time. Of course, make sure you know the laws in your state or country. As we are not lawyers and do not pretend to be one on our blog.

Do you have any hot tips for bloggers on how to ROCK their email subscription list? Oh, and you have signed up for the NC Blogger Network email list, right?