Over the weekend I set aside a little time to learn. I read an ebook (gasp!) and watched a video. I wandered around a few influential blogs and absorbed knowledge…
Lately, my favorite place to go for inspiration is David Risley’s blog, DavidRisley.com One of the things I read this weekend was David’s report, Six Figure Blogger Blueprint. 
While not the most exhaustive, end-all product, (it wasn’t meant to be a full-fledged course!) the report was just what I needed! It helped me put some steps into order, confirmed a few of my already-planned changes, and best of all, it was FREE!
After reading the report, I realized one of the areas I really need to focus on is building a loyal readership and email list. I feel like I do pretty good regularly updating my readers via. the email list I have. I try to offer information, a peek into my personal life, and highlight a few other bloggers in my niche. If there’s a new product I really believe in, I’ll promote that as well. But, my list is small. Very small.
The evidence that things are changing fast can be seen in the dramatic increase in the influence of blogging. We should be collecting emails as we used to collect telephone numbers and using them to better communicate our message to key voters. – Adam Rickitt
When I saw this quote this morning I was reminded again of the influence bloggers have and the power of a good email list. And, the fact that mine looks pitiful!
A great post on the subject that really encouraged me:
Making Your Newsletter a Two Way Street – Mike’s Life
So, my questions today are:
- What are your thoughts on growing an email list?
- Should I create and offer a free report/ebook to add value and encourage people to sign up?
- What are some things you enjoy finding in an email newsletter?
I think you should definitely offer something of value to attract sign-ups, but the newsletter should be valuable itself. Something that people want to read and not just let it pile up in their junk mail inbox. I write original content in my newsletter and offer sneak peaks at the most popular blog posts for the week. It works for my list because I don't get any opt-outs and I have a decent open rate. I found out that I've actually got people who only read my newsletter and have never visited my blog – which was interesting to me. But, I'm making moves to introduce blog readers to the newsletter and newsletter receivers to my blog.
Great question
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Thanks, Rod!
I've seen a lot of newsletters that are nothing more than a copy of what's on the author's blog, or a sales pitch. I firmly believe there needs to be a personal connection and added value. If I'm going to ask someone to allow me to add one more thing to their Inbox, I must make sure it's worth that space and their time.
I feel like I do alright on the content. It's getting people to actually sign up that's hard. haha
It sounds like your newsletter is alive and well, especially if you have readers who don't even visit the blog. That's really interesting!
I wholeheartedly agree. I think, with the subscribers who don't visit my blog, they're mostly local contacts. People that I've met here in Memphis, TN but – for whatever reason – haven't visited yet. I'm actually about to re-launch my newsletter so it can follow closely with the content of my blog (in a unique way of course).
Along with the relaunch will come new ways of getting subscribers, such as a stronger call to action at the footer of blog posts (instead of just “subscribe to my RSS feed!” and shout-outs on social networking platforms. You really have to “work it” if you want it to work for you.
This is one of my priorities as well. David devoted an entire module from his Blog Masters Course to this subject. I plan to focus on it this weekend so I can really start to build my list.
Right now I am sending out a monthly newsletter with the latest news, specials and a craft or two for my clients.
I have been considering an eBook myself but have not found the time nor a subject to write about yet. Like my blog logo, I know it will come to me in time.
This is one of my priorities as well. David devoted an entire module from his Blog Masters Course to this subject. I plan to focus on it this weekend so I can really start to build my list.
Right now I am sending out a monthly newsletter with the latest news, specials and a craft or two for my clients.
I have been considering an eBook myself but have not found the time nor a subject to write about yet. Like my blog logo, I know it will come to me in time.