Email lists, I’m sure you’ve heard many bloggers insist that you need an email list. What is an email list, how do you start one, and why is it important?
What is an email list?
An email list is something your readers can sign up for to receive freebies, monthly/weekly updates, or be the first to know about exclusive content! There are plenty of different email providers, that I will get into later, that can help you grow your list!
Why an email list is important
If you don’t have an email list, you’re seriously missing out! Too often you hear bloggers and micro-bloggers say “I don’t need one, I have other social media accounts to keep in touch with my readers.” Here’s the flaw in this statement, you do not own those platforms. If Instagram fails or goes under, how will you reach your audience?
This is where email comes in. When someone signs up for you email list, you have that email address for life (unless they unsubscribe). So say your email provider goes under, you can download your email list and import the addresses on to your new email provider.
How do you start an email list?
Starting an email list can be daunting, but it’s really easy! Here’s how to do it!
1. Sign up with an email provider
There are a ton of email providers out there. Some are free and some are paid. Some are user friendly and some, well, not so much. I strongly suggest doing some research before committing to one. It will make your life easier in the long run. Here are three popular providers:
- Mailchimp– Free up to 2,000 subscribers. Only one audience. This was the provider I used when I first started blogging. If you’re interested in why I switched providers, click here to read that post!
- ConvertKit– Free until you reach 1,000 subscribers.
- Flodesk– This is the provider I use now! It’s $38 a month, but if you use my link here, you can get a lifetime fee of only $19! This fee never changes as your list grows, unlike the other providers. If you’d like to learn more about Flodesk, click here to read my post about why I made the switch!
2. Get people to sign up for your emails.
Getting your readers to sign up for your emails isn’t as simple as asking them to do so. In fact, it’s the hardest way to gain subscribers. You have to think of email as currency. What do they get in return? How can you provide them with value? So how do you do it?
- Add sign up forms to your posts- Sign up forms can be popups, landing pages that you direct readers to, or inline forms that you insert throughout your post! Your sign up forms should offer a lead magnet (freebie), or something of value in exchange for an email address.
- Create lead magnets (freebies)- Lead magnets are things of value you can create for your readers that sign up for your email list. They can be something simple as a downloadable PDF, to something bigger like access to a resource library or small course.
Once you have subscribers.
Once you have subscribers, start sending out emails! No list is too small to start connecting with your readers. Personally, I send out a monthly email, but you can send them out whenever you please. It’s up to you! So what kind of emails should you send? Here are some ideas:
- An introduction or “Welcome” email.
- Monthly roundup
- What you’ve missed
- Product releases with special discount codes
- A questionnaire
I hope this post was helpful and it made you excited to start your own email list! What other questions do you have? Leave them in the comments below!
Xo Little J
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