What To Do With Your Blog’s Subscriber Email List
Not sure what to do with your blog’s subscriber email list? It’s a great way to monetize your blog, just start using these ideas today. Online entrepreneurs and bloggers know having a subscriber list can be the start of one of the most lucrative pieces to blogging. But what are we supposed to be doing with outs?
As my email list reaches 2,000 this week (yay, and thank you all for that wonderful milestone!) I’ve realized that I’ve been seriously neglecting it and that it was time to start moving forward with those 2k people who want more out of my blog. And you have them too! But what are blogger supposed to be doing with these email lists? Here are some of ideas.
Don’t Panic
They subscribed for a reason, so don’t be a afraid to reach out to them and offer it. My initial fear of ‘upsetting’ people by emailing them and having them unsubscribe from my list has gotten less and less – one big reason for that is because paying for this list and service is one of my biggest monthly expenses – so if someone doesn’t truly love what you have to say, trust me, you’d really rather have them unsubscribe.
Survey Them For New Post Ideas
Having some blogger burnout? Not sure where the theme of your blog is heading? Need new post ideas? Ask your subscribers! Set up a quick survey through softwares like Survey Monkey and setup a multiple choice question like I did- This gave me a great idea of what kind of posts my readers will come back for!
Offer A Free Incentive
I have been growing my list by offering two ways to join. Readers can join on the sidebar to get updates of new posts (which makes up about 30% of my subscribers), or they join by subscribing to my eBook (the other 70%…which shows how much people love a good ‘ol free incentive), which is then sent to their email. They can unsubscribe right away, but very few do. This gives me a chance to touch base with the first group weekly by sending automatic post updates, and once with the second group by asking what they thought of the eBook. I learned this tactic by taking Ruth Soukup’s amazing Elite Blogging Academy which you can learn more about in my post The Blogging Course That Changed My Life. It’s actually on a waiting list, but if you’d like to join that list and get a free eBook from Ruth too, check this out:
Make Sure You Are Using A Good Email List Management Software
I use and am completely smitten with MadMimi. They have incredible support and are always friendly and helpful. There are other email lists that work well but vary depending on your needs including MailChimp, Aweber, etc.
Email Them New Posts
Make sure that all of your subscribers are invited to subscribe for new post updates. That 70% group I told you about that signs up for my free incentive? A week after they do that, I sent an automated email inviting them to join the weekly emails list. Why? Because they are already my target audience, so I know I have a great chance of bringing them back to my site through the weekly emails. I’m marketing my new posts to those who showed interest in my site at one point, instead of just waiting for new visitors.
Sell Them A Product
If and when you’re ready, your email subscribers will be the first people that buy your product. Be it an ecourse, ebook or coaching services. Those who have been following you week after week via your emails are going to feel like they have a personal relationship with you. People who let you email them already have some interest in what you are offering. They are absolutely your most engaged blog readers.
Keep In Touch
Have a big announcement about your blog? An upcoming product? (see above) Your readers feel connected to you with the more you share, and sending it through email and not over your blog is a good way to make sure your loyal readers see updates and feel the value of being on your list.
What do you think? Did I miss anything on what to do with your blog’s subscriber email list? Soon, we’ll talk about how to get that list even bigger. But for now, take care of the subscribers you do have!
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These are great ideas Lisa. Thanks for sharing them with us. I use most of these methods you mentioned and they are effective in growing a list and keeping subscribers engaged with us. I never heard of MadMimi before. I’ll have to check them out.
Hope you’re having a great week!
Cori
Cori Ramos recently posted…How Grocery Shopping Can Help Provide Teachers and Students With School Supplies