If you build an email list, you’ll be nurturing future relationships.
Requiring a dedicated system of time and care.
But your results can be priceless.
“How do I build my email list?” is a common question.
This can be one of your biggest challenges.
Starting and continuing to build your list of contacts so you can keep in touch sharing what you are doing.
But, it boils down to keeping at it regularly. Doing what you know you’re supposed to do.
How to start, then?
- We know that blogging allows you to build your audience.
So…
#1 Make a list of the ideal audience you want to share your opinions views and expertise with;
- and WHY you would want to continue educating them.
You are building an audience that will be giving you permission to educate and promote to them.
#2 What are the steps to building an email list, then….
Whether you’re working on your email list or just thinking about it…a strategy and a roadmap are your first steps.
What are the main elements of your plan for starting and building your email list?
>>> Your goals are tied to the actions of your audience.
- That means relevant content. Sound familiar?
- So your goal is to learn what your audience wants ~ that you have to offer.
You’ll have the opportunity to build your story and share your value as your list starts to know you better.
>>> Be aware: Two of the biggest reasons we stop sending emails to our list is that:
– We often just can’t come up with ideas and
– We don’t have a deadline we stick to.
>>> Collecting emails
- Set up your autoresponder
- Aweber – Is my favorite example of autoresponders – especially for beginners. It has lots of features you can grow into. Beautiful templates, Twitter and Facebook integration, blog broadcasts. Great training and telephone support.
- Mail Chimp – I’ve heard is one of the better free autoresponders.
- Now add your own ‘Join My Email List’ optin box to your blog so people can join your list.
- You’ll have an ‘ethical bribe’, an offered gift of value in exchange for their name and email. Like a video, pdf, audio training.
- Ask your readers, and your Social Media followers to sign up for your list with a link to your optin box area.
- View my own examples:
- Optin box on my site with Blogging Kit giveaway.
- I also share my Blogging Kit giveaway with this link to a separate page at donnalward.com/bloggingkit
- I have a dedicated page on my site for signing up to my List Building calls.
Your email list is the collection of followers, subscribers and people who want the information you’re sharing.
Get your email list started today with these tips. Step-by-step.
And do let me know what you thought of this post in the comments below!
Join in our our no-cost ‘Build Your List’ monthly calls ~ You can ask about and learn some of the quickest, most effective email list building strategies you can put into action right away
And Please Register and save your spot…Because …
List Building With Social Media, blogging, and building your list of contacts is needed if you want a more interactive community!
What others are saying…
“Thanks for this great post. Promoting yourself is one of the most important – and most difficult – things to do.”
Krystal recently posted..Love is in the Air Giveaway: $1100+ Prize Package
“I love your tips and I’m going to bookmark this! I’ve been struggling with growing my blog, definitely going to read this carefully again tonight and learn what I can do right.” Shaney Vijendranath recently posted..Is One Child Enough?
- How About Some Secrets to Affiliate Marketing? - November 30, 2023
- Are You Making These Social Networking Mistakes? - October 5, 2023
- Why Not Repurpose Content of Your Popular Posts? - October 1, 2023
Thanks for the great idea. I would love to work on this in the future.
I have an email list. I think it’s an excellent way to stay connected to readers and keep them coming back.
Krystal recently posted..Berry Cherry Cheers: Strawberry Rum Cocktail
I have not reached the point in my blog journey to start an email list. I hope I will get there soon.
aimee fauci recently posted..Celebrate CHD Awareness
I have to admit I’ve always shied away from creating an email list as it seems like such a big task, perhaps its something I should attempt this year.
Sarah Bailey recently posted..#MotherAgain
Building a list is very important.. We build our lists daily and want/need more 🙂 Thanks of the helpful tips!
I have a great email list and I notice my traffic is highest on the days I send out a new email. It’s a really valuable tool.
Lois Alter Mark recently posted..marriott’s oceana palms
I’ve been trying to build my email list this year. It’s one of my blogging goals! This post is really helpful, thanks.
I am planning on building my email list this year. Those are great ideas to get me started. I already added : a Join subscription box one
Ourfamilyworld (@OurFamilyWorld) recently posted..Get More Out of Your Searching with Bing Rewards
Building an email list is a slow process. I’m trying to work on relationships and not get disheartened by the numbers. Not always easy, I know.
I’m not at the point of doing this, either, but this is another one of your posts that I have shared with my contacts on LinkedIn. I wouldn’t be surprised if I find a use for this information in the future.
Alana recently posted..My A to Z Theme
I KNOW I need to do this! My husband keeps telling me that I need to keep up with a weekly or monthly newsletter…I just feel like I don’t have the time to do it!!
This sounds like a really cool way to stay in touch. A nice email layout and graphics would be a big plus.
Liz Mays recently posted..Mixed Berry Parfait with Yoplait Greek 100 Whips!
I do not have an email list but it sounds like something I may have to look into. Thanks for this.
Carmen Perez (listen2mama) recently posted..Celebrating Valentine’s Day
It’s funny, I really don’t ever open other blogs’ emails that come to me, but I work so hard on my email list! I sometimes wonder if it’s worth all the time trying to build contacts instead of working on my PR and domain ranking. I love the idea of an outline though!
This is such great info!!! Maybe one of these says I will get around to an email list!
Hi Donna,
Okay, just to clarify, is the email list what you receive when someone signs up to receive your blog? Or is that something different? Do I need to invite them specifically to sign up for my “email list”? Just wondering because I have the email addresses of those who have signed up for my blog.
Thanks!
Amy
Amy Bovaird recently posted..Committing Beautiful Moments to Memory
This is really great! I hope to do this in the near future. Right now I’m really focusing on my content and growing my audience then u want to spend time on this!
Jeanine recently posted..Tips For Helping Siblings Get Along
This is such a great info! I’ll need this in the future! Thanks for sharing it.
Great information, and I mean that wholeheartedly. I usually have something to add to posts like these but you’re spot on.
Nina Say recently posted..Lessons From Mom You Shouldn’t Ignore
Awesome tips! E-mail lists aren’t my thing but I can definitely appreciate how to build one!
Nancy recently posted..Sailing San Francisco Bay on an America’s Cup Yacht
Such awesome tips! I love growing my email list and will definitely be using some of these tips to help!
Erin recently posted..Sweet Surprises {February Edition}
This is a wonderful resource for entrepreneurs. It is very informative.
Tough Cookie Mommy recently posted..Celebrate First-Time Moments With Your Little One! #PampersPrimerasVeces @PampersLatinoUS #Ad
Building an email list seemed somewhat hard but I know it’s important to keep readers interested and updated with your content. The use of an autoresponder will really help.
Mailchimp has a free rss feed to post , but the actual autoresponder option costs money.
I’ve used mailchimp for years and at one time the original accounts could get the autoresponder option free, but the new accounts don’t.
I started using a free option, though it is very simple and doesn’t offer templates, but does offer a wyswyg editor for adding your own photos and such. It does offer the reall, full autoresponder and the ability to actually send a single email (at a time) to those on your list.
I think that part often gets people confused about setting up a list. What are all the options and why would you use each one. It’s taken me a long time to learn all that.
Jenn recently posted..After School Programs for the Inactive Child
I really should get around to doing this… I always put doing this off hehehe!
Long term goal for me is an email list. I don’t think it’s super relevant right now as I’m still inconsistent with posting & whatnot.
Annie recently posted..Sharks Practice at Sharks Ice
I have been working on building my email list. I just now need to work on doing more newsletters. I think newsletters are the most effective way to reach an audience.
I really needed to read this post, I’ve been trying to work on this from last year! Thanks for the great tips.
Shaney Vijendranath recently posted..10 Valentine’s Day Date Night Ideas When You Can’t Get a Babysitter
building an email list is something that I am trying to work on! It’s so important as social media comes and goes that you can communicate through email!
this is on my blogging to do list this year. thanks for the pointers and the food for thought on it. Yikes!
coolchillmom recently posted..Cool Journey Link Up – February
These are great tips for building an email list. This is something i need to work on.
I’m reading and it dawned on me that I’m not signed up for your newsletter! All better now. 🙂
I use feedburner. I have been looking into moving my list and doing my own newsletter.
Heather recently posted..How to Treat a Child’s Fever
I’ve done this to a certain extent, but not aggressively and not with specific intent to build a list. It seems like there is just never enough time!
Cherri Megasko recently posted..Exotic Soups from Around the World – Adventure Eating at Its Best
An email list is such a great tool for regular readers to utilize. I’m signed up for many blogs I read daily, and I love getting my end of day emails with their posts in it.
Ashley B. recently posted..Valentines Day for the Domestically Challenged.
This is definitely on my list of things to do!
Amber NElson recently posted..February Is Children’s Dental Health Month
This is a really great list of tips for building email lists. I do have an email list but I think I need to monitor and work with it more. Time to start building it more, too!
I was just working on that for most of the afternoon yesterday. I am using Mad Mimic and I like it so far. We’ll see how well it works.
Margarita Ibbott @DownshiftingPRO recently posted..Maple Leaf Monster Jam at The Budweiser Gardens in #LondonOnt – Giveaway
Definitely need to work on our mailing list. I’ve been telling myself that but never got around to do it. 🙁
Lynndee recently posted..Stepping It Up a Notch in My Photography with a Canon DSLR
I’d love to start an email list, thanks for these tips! I’ll be checking into it for sure!
This is something I really need help with. I am really bad at creating an email list and this post really helped me.
Diane Sullivan recently posted..#Giveaway Walkers Shortbread Host Your Own Viewing Party!
I love your text. I haven’t focused yet on my mailing list but would like to.
Katarina K recently posted..Over Sized Coat Like No Other
Hi Donna, I’ve just recently come across your blog – it’s so useful! And really well set out. Thanks so much for sharing. Ellie
Ellie Swinton recently posted..January Instagram Catch Up
These are great ideas! Thank you for sharing
Ninja Mommers recently posted..Valentine’s Day Date Night Ideas – No Babysitter Needed
An email list is such a hassle for me but it is indeed super helpful nowadays!
Aisha Kristine Chong recently posted..“Doctor on Demand” – It’s There When You Need It!