The infamous email list. Bloggers talk about their importance all the time, but have you ever stopped to think about why they are so essential?
The current Facebook debacle illustrates clearly the email list’s importance.
The list is wonderful because it gives you control. If a blogger was getting 90% of their traffic from Facebook when this craziness with the pages occurred, it would be much more upsetting than if it was a smaller percentage. While I’m bummed that I can’ engage with my fans the way that I once did on Facebook, it hasn’t killed my blog traffic entirely.
But think about it, what if something similar happens with Pinterest. I’ll admit, I get a LOT of traffic from Pinterest each day. I would be crushed if the service just disappeared or stopped working the way that it does now.
That’s why, I’ve decided to focus on building up my email list this year.
When some one subscribes to your email list, no one (except the subscriber) can take that relationship away from you. You’ll be able to communicate with your readers when you want to, without worrying about crazy algorithms that are constantly changing.
There are a couple different email subscription options. There is an RSS feed which automatically sends emails to your subscribers each time you publish a post. (Subscribe to our RSS feed in the bar on the right, just beneath our photos!)
You can also create a newsletter which allows subscribers to get special messages from you on a regular basis. You could have a monthly newsletter or weekly or anything in between! This could include links popular posts or a simple letter from you. The possibilities are endless with a newsletter option! Mailchimp is one of the most popular newsletter options. There is a free service from that company and a paid service, depending on your needs.
I have been putting off starting my own newsletter on my blog for far too long now! (I have an RSS feed, but no newsletter) This is the year I’m going to get on it, because I don’t want my interactions with my fans to be dependent on ever-changing SEO rules, or the flighty rules of a social media platform.
Do you have an email list? Starting one this year? What do you enjoy most in the newsletters that you are subscribed to currently?
I started one late last year. Now I fight with spam boxes instead of facebook. I offer a freebie when readers sign up so that if they want that freebie that have to go fish my welcome email out of their spam box.
@Nicolette – have you found an increase in readership and traffic with the freebie?
I’d like to know that also 🙂 I took a course last year and checked all the boxes, so to speak, about growing my email list. Free ebooks, newsletters, pinnable content etc. I didn’t see a change, which is a little confusing. I’d love to connect more with readers
It wasn’t that big a change actually! but people are downloading the freebie.
I NEED to do this. I signed up with madmimi and have done nothing with it. It is so hard to find time to manage that along with everything else. I know it is still a very important aspect of blogging though.
I’m like you..I know I need to but it just seems like one..more.. thing… What will you include in yours?
I almost never open my newsletters from things I’ve signed up for but it does keep their name/brand fresh in my mind.