This master compilation of list building tips will help you grow your email newsletter!
(But first, check out my recent podcast episode, WHY YOUR EMAIL LIST ISN’T GROWING.)
In case you missed it, I’m a HUGE proponent of email lists! I’ve got tons of list building tips in podcast interviews and some great posts here all about building an email list and writing a newsletter. If you aren’t sure why you need to be list building and need tips for growing your newsletter subscribers, then check out the following posts, interviews, and resources!
If you need a quick understanding of why list building is so important, let me start by saying that EMAIL HAS NO ALGORITHM. No, it’s not as “sexy” as the latest platform. It’s old school. But older and newer internet users alike use email. It’s a classic. And it isn’t going out of style!
People check email daily, if not hourly.
Inboxes ARE crowded, but that means you have to take more time to write great emails and target the right audience! The following resources will help you do JUST THAT. I’ve also got a free Facebook group just for asking email question in a safe space. Join HERE!
LIST BUILDING TIPS AND RESOURCES
Podcast Interviews on List Building
Cultivating Your Perfect Audience with Paul Jarvis
List Building Secrets with Maritza Parra
Pageviews vs People – Changing Your Mindset
Building an Email List of True Fans (this is one of my earliest podcasts…sorry about the audio!!)
How to Write an Email Newsletter People Want to Read
Email Newsletters You Should Subscribe To
Blog Posts on Email List Building
Why Your Email List Is More Important Than Pageviews
How to Create the Perfect Freebie for Your Email List
How to Deliver Your Freebie to Your Email List
How to Write Emails People Actually WANT to Read
Why I Switched to ConvertKit (and You Should Too)
Other List Building Resources
The Free Email Course (my 7-day email course all about growing your list)
NOT SURE WHERE TO START LIST BUILDING?
Don’t get intimidating! List building can be one of the hardest things to do. Not only is the growth part harder than, say, growing a Twitter following, but people struggle with what to write, how often to write, and what the purpose behind email is. Though I’ve given you some great list building resources above, here are my tips for getting started or scaling up.
1 // Have a purpose
Email is a powerful tool, but you won’t utilize the power if you aren’t intentional with your why. Think about what purpose your list will serve. If you aren’t sure, I would suggest that you consider your email subscribers your VIPS. You want to grow a list of superfans and give them great content and a more personal glimpse into YOU.
2 // Offer something excellent
I know the idea of creating a freebie can be stressful (see my post on creating the perfect freebie for more on this!), but it doesn’t have to be all about a freebie or lead magnet. Consider the kind of content you can offer on a weekly or monthly basis that will benefit your readers. Maybe that’s resources or info. Maybe that’s entertainment or encouragement. Don’t let your email come last! Your subscribers are your VIPS, remember? Give them your BEST.
3 // Continue to grow over time
So many people talk about quick growth and numbers that it can be really discouraging AND have you chasing crazy numbers. Because email subscribers tend to be more high quality, that also means the list building tends to be slower over time. So first of all–ignore all the big talk about quick growth and high numbers. If you are trying to grow true, raving fans in your list, then your growth may have spikes, but should continue over time. Don’t ever stop thinking about email! Continue to consider what you can offer, where on your blog you can optimize for signups, and change things every few months.
Want to hang out and talk with other people about email questions? I have a free group on Facebook where we talk email … and more! JOIN NOW!
