How to Use Your Blog to Build Your Email List

98 Comments / Blogging Tutorials, Guest Posts / By /

As fun and enjoyable as blogging is, it is also a serious business for many people.  And as with any business, the more you put into it, the more you get out of it.  Fortunately, you don’t have to spend hours each day tweaking and optimizing your blog to have a successful blogging business.

Blogging is merely a means to an end.  And that end should include building a list of email subscribers.

Now before you say but I’m in the [insert niche here] niche and that’s not a good market to build a list in, let me caution you that any niche is a good niche to build your email list in.

Any niche!

So if you are blogging about the latest baby products, you should be building an email list.  If golf is your thing, build a list of golf enthusiasts.  Regardless of what the niche is, build your email list and build it now.

How To Use Your Blog to Build Your Email ListBlogging to Build Your Email List

Bloggers are at such an advantage when building their lists.  Take the baby products niche for example.  If you write blog posts reviewing baby products, chances are you have or are developing a good following of people looking forward to your reviews.

This is ideal because:

You’ve identified your market

You have already established your value

And you have huge potential with your email marketing

The fact is that people subscribe to email lists with a what’s in it for me perception.

Your blog has already preconditioned your readers on what to expect from you.  They can look around and see the quality content you provide.  Giving them the option of subscribing to your email list and giving them something of value in return is a piece of cake for bloggers.  Your readers are already there.  Offering a compelling free offer, targeted specifically to them is all it takes to get your list growing a rapid rate.

How to Build Your Email List if your Blog Doesn't Have a Following (Yet!)

Even though blogs develop a steady readership fairly quick, there are a few ways you can up the ante on your readers and generate some reader-love if your blog isn't quite hopping yet.

  • Read and comment on others’ blogs.  This tried-and-true method works and works very well.  This is something I refer to a lot on my own blog and even though I've been blogging for some time, I still spend time every week reading and commenting on other blogs.
  • Use social media wisely.  You can use social media and then you can USE social media.  In one case, you are just throwing links out there, there’s no interacting or responding to anyone, maybe you’ve even paid for followers.  In the other case, you genuinely connect with your target market, potential business partners and other bloggers and share their information first.  You don’t put any sales links out until you’ve built up your messages and given all your best stuff out for free.  Yes, free.
  • Produce content, produce more content and produce even more content.  Blogs can get stagnant very quickly if they are not tended to.  In addition, all the content you are producing can be spread out as articles in article directories, guest posts, short reports, products to sell.  The more content you can produce, the more exposure you’ll have and the more readers you’ll see.  Thus the more opportunities to build your email list.

Start Building your List

The worst thing that can happen with your blog is to produce all this compelling content, only to have it read once and forgotten.  The reader says, that was nice and clicks to move on to the next blog.

Don’t let this happen to your blog!

At every turn, every blog post, every sidebar, even your About page, there should be an email opt-in box to subscribe to your list.

Every blog presents a great opportunity to build not just a subscriber list, but a lifelong business that will be there throughout the algorithm updates, the social network changes and whatever else the future of the Internet throws our way.

What about you?  What do you do to build your email list?

98 thoughts on “How to Use Your Blog to Build Your Email List”

  1. Alan Tay

    Christine, you have a nice Generate Theme there from Studiopress and it is a good theme for list building because I am using the same as well 😉

    I prefer to give away some freebies to build list and I had done it for one of my tech blog and it is very good because I was able to skyrocket my subscribers count in weeks.

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Alan,

      Yes, great point – a freebie is exactly the place to start!

      It helps build your list with targeted subscribers.

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      ~Christine

  2. Shalu Sharma

    You have hit the nail saying that at every turn there has to be incentive for the reader to register their email address. This is vital. I had a look at the optin skin plugin and I think its a marvellous piece that will enhance the looks.
    Secondly in order to get subscribers, it might be a good idea to give away something for free, an ebook or a guide. This has worked for many. Think about who you would you give your email to. Thanks for mentioning this brilliant plugin.

  3. Hursh

    Nice Post. Building E-mail subscribers is very important these days because this is the era of email marketing. Thanks.

  4. Sajith

    Using social networks and social media is a good strategy to get more visitors and more subscribers. Specially social network like Facebook has a huge active community than the other networks. So involving actively on those networks will build up your mailing list very quickly.

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Sajith,

      Yes, as you said, social media can really help your list grow very quickly. In a matter of a few hours, you can have a list building.

      Thanks!

      ~Christine

  5. Garrick

    Gr8 article @christinejbrad! The Email list is an area I have been neglecting and I appreciate you reminding me how invaluable they are. I have heard several successful bloggers say they wish they had started their email list much earlier in the process. Thanks for the confirmation and timely advice.

  6. Ehsan

    Building an email list is something which I’ve heard from almost every blogger’s mouth, but still didn’t started it yet. I don’t know why!

    I wanted to start from Mailchimp, but friends suggested me to don’t do it because later we can’t move to Aweber without losing any subscriber. Thanks for clearing it here Christine.

    Have a good day,

    Ehsan U.

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Ehsan,

      I recommend either Aweber or Getresponse. And the reason why is that they both will allow marketing and sales through email.

      I’m not sure about Mailchimp, but check their Terms of Service first to make sure you can actually market and sell through links in your emails. Important!

      Thanks!

      ~Christine

      1. Ehsan

        I’ve read their Terms and Service and I know that Mailchimp doesn’t allows us to marketing and sales through email!

        I might check GetResponse, Is it free?

  7. Khaja moin

    Even if you are not planning for affiliate marketing, you need to build email list.
    Email list can make you earn more money than actual on site earnings.

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Khaja,

      Great point! With an email list you have a built-in audience for your own blog, send them messages about your own blog – the possibilities are endless!

      Thanks!

      ~Christine

  8. Ryan Biddulph

    Hi Christine,

    Produce content like a machine. Position yourself. Make an impact. Each creative act is prospered. Build your list by increasing the number of web pages pointing at your squeeze page or opt-in form. Smart tips here.

    Your content is the best form of advertising available. What better way to prove that you are a competent coach or entrepreneur from your niche? Create more, you compete less.

    Be sure to offer a value-packed freebie as your list bait. Add a few more subscribers by sweetening the pot.

    Thanks Christine!

    Ryan

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Ryan,

      Thanks!

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      Great point – content marketing is excellent for driving targeted readers to your offers. Plus, they already know the quality of your work, so the subscriber relationship is already established.

      Thanks again!

      ~Christine

  9. Amrik Virdi

    Thеѕе аrе gооd ѕuggеѕtіоnѕ. I wоuld аdd

    * Hаvіng а сhесkbоx whеn thе реrѕоn lеаvеѕ а соmmеnt
    * Whеn ѕоmеоnе rеgіѕtеrѕ оn уоur blоg
    * On уоur fасеbооk fаn раgе

    It ѕееmѕ lіkе а lоt оf реорlе аrе јuѕt аѕkіng fоr е-mаіl аddrеѕѕ nоw, nоt nаmе аnd е-mаіl аddrеѕѕ.

    Hаѕ thіѕ іnсrеаѕеd соnvеrѕіоnѕ?

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Amrik,

      Thanks for your comments!

      I’m testing the name vs. no name opt-in form right now. I have not seen it make a huge difference right now, but I think in the long run, it will be better.

      Readers are busy, so this makes it as quick and easy as possible for them to subscribe.

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      ~Christine

  10. Hammad Baig

    Hi Christine Brady,
    Even if you are not planning for affiliate marketing, you need to build email list.
    Email list can make you earn more money than actual on site earnings.
    And Using social networks and social media is a good strategy to get more visitors and more subscribers. Specially social network like Facebook, twitter,linkedin has a huge active community than the other networks. So involving actively on those networks will build up your mailing list very quickly. I really like this article Thanks BBT….

  11. Samuel

    Email building is one of those topics that many are talking about and not doing.

    I myself have to work on it and start collecting one myself. Good article

  12. Janelle Wright

    Great post Christine!

    I really enjoyed learning about the importance of using your blog to build your email list. This is so very useful to bloggers and or business owners just starting out and wanting to build a list. It can be intimidating when you start out and have no list, however, if you follow the tips outlined above you will definitely be on the right track. Your list is a real asset once you develop a real relationship with them.

    Happy blogging!

    Janelle

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Janelle,

      Thanks so much – glad you enjoyed it!

      List building is intimidating at first, but, as you said, just get started and it will grow quickly!

      Thanks!

      ~Christine

  13. Adrienne

    Nice post Christine and wonderful tips.

    As I’ve had a few people on my list tell me, they also appreciate the personal touch as well. Whether that’s in your content, your newsletter, your comments or the connections you’re making with new prospects who you hope to become loyal readers.

    I love blog commenting and building those relationships so having a fabulous free opt-in gift will really entice them into seeing what you’re all about.

    Building a list is so crucial if you’re here to build a business so these are fabulous tips you’ve share. Thank you for that and we appreciate Ileane having you today.

    ~Adrienne

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Adrienne,

      Thanks – glad you enjoyed it!

      I have heard several comments about what niches are good for building a list in and I always respond with, every niche!

      No matter what your focus, it’s very important to build that customer base.

      Thanks again!

      ~Christine

  14. Julian King

    Building a targeted email list should be the top priority for any blogger, as it is a good way to mitigate the income fluctuations from other sources.

  15. Jurgen

    I have build a few niche sites but i don’t have a mail subscripe list.

    I’m think i’m gonna use that! I hope it works for me.

  16. JamesW

    Great post Christine, I Agree that we should build list with the help of our blogs. I also build my list but with only two forms. But too much optin forms on one blog is what makes people to just leave without even subscribing. We shouldn’t pressure them and leaving opt in form on every corner, if content is valuable, our loyal visitors will find the way to subscribe even if there is only one form on page.
    thanks for sharing

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi James,

      Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

      Great point – we don’t want to bombard them, but offer them a place to get more tips and helpful advice by connecting over email.

      It’s a win/win!

      Thanks again!

      ~Christine

  18. San Diego Mobile Detailing

    This is a real good topic for me. I just sent my monthly Auto Detailing news letter and have noticed that my email list is shrinking every month. Not a lot but I am losing about 5 – 10 people per month and only adding about 3 – 5 per month. Thanks for the tips.

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi,

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      Getting unsubscribes is just a part of the process – it happens.

      The thing to keep in mind is to focus on getting new subscribers – keep getting opt-ins and keep presenting the chance to opt-in to your readers.

      Thanks and keep growing that list!

      ~Christine

  19. Gabe Johansson

    I have forms on every post, page, my sidebar and I am working on incorporating a footer and feature box real soon.

    I have a dedicated “Free Updates” page that converts around 15% which I am looking to improve. The sidebar and my tools and training page convert nicely as well.

    My biggest source of subscribers is by purchasing solo ads and sending the traffic giving away my 4 day list building video course for free. Those pages I created for that convert at about 40% of visits to subscribers but I haven’t sent any of them to my blog which I will be doing soon!

    My list is almost all of my income and these are some great tips!

    Thanks a bunch,
    -Gabe

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Gabe,

      Very nice!

      And the best part is, that it only gets better – your list keeps growing as does your income!

      Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

      ~Christine

  20. Ayaz

    Hi Christine!

    Great post and certainly building email list especially in blogging is really crucial and I agree with you on the point to not let the reader say nice and move to other blog rather should be using e-mail optin forms there, where reader can subscribe for new post and I am working on the same techniques, which proving me great results.

    Thanks for sharing worthy content!

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Ayaz,

      Once you see your list starting to build, it will just keep getting better and better.

      And yes, an opt-in form below your posts is essential – watch the numbers, you’ll get opt-ins from it!

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      ~Christine

  21. John Ernest

    Making a list really eases the way I contact my potential prospects. It was pretty hard building an efficient list since not all of the contacts will reply to my emails and get converted into client. Thanks for the wonderful tips!

  22. Anton Koekemoer

    HI Christine,

    Yes – I do agree, Blogging and engaging on the blog and other forums and networks is key for increasing the amount of traffic and exposure to a website. But email marketing is easy neglected and forgotten about – and if done correctly and incorporated into your current efforts the amount of value it can contribute to increasing the amount of traffic and exposure can be extremely important.

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Anton,

      You’re so right – email marketing is usually the last thing to do. But, the potential with having all these captive readers at your fingertips is reason enough to start building and nurturing a list.

      Thanks and glad you enjoyed it!

      ~Christine

  23. hira

    this is the great post about email marketing, i want to learn content marketing, but i dont know where to learn, than you for your tips Christine Brady. God bless you.

  25. Philos Mudis

    And you can use plugins like Thank Me Later to invite people who comment on your blog,to sign up and get a bonus in the form of an incentive or awesome weekly updates.

    Remember, you want them to stay in and not rush out before they actually benefit from joining your list.

    Loved the tips.

  27. Ahmad Awais

    I started building lists back in 2010 but was not satisfied with the horrifying results. I had to pay more than I earned but recently when I started working more in blogging niche than the freelancing work (I am a part of team WP Thinks), I am having nice results.

    I will say all it matters is the placement of opt in 🙂
    Placing opt in inside good comments can also get you a lot of subscribers 🙂 A strangest place I ever noticed for my opt in box 🙂

    Thanks for the nice article Christine

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Ahmad,

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      Placement is a great tip! There are so many factors that can either contribute or take away from getting an opt-in but placement above the fold is also important.

      Thanks!

      ~Christine

  28. Michelle Mahoney

    Great tips! Just don’t forget the most important thing: your opt-in box needs a cool offer that people can access right away. Just asking them to sign up for a newsletter or to get random info from you isn’t nearly as effective.

  29. Julie Jordan Scott

    I am one of those people who doesn’t like visiting blogs with all the pop ups and stuff. I sometimes even hesitate to subscribe if it is a banner across the top just because I don’t like the vibe some of them put off, y’know?

    I guess that falls under the category “How to Unbuild Your List in 5 Easy Steps” or something like that!

    Many great tips – glad to find you via the KABN group today!

    Note – it said I didn’t click a box saying I am not a spammer. The only problem is the only boxes I see are click to comment, follow up via email, exclusive content from Ms. Ileane…. Let me try…. Click here to comment on basic blog tips….

  31. Christine Brady

    Hi Julie,

    Thanks for stopping by!

    I know what you mean about the pop-ups – I don’t really know any body who does like them. But the fact is, they do work! They will build your list.

    Glad you enjoyed it!

    ~Christine

  32. Mariella Lombardi

    Hi Christine,

    I have been reading a lot about mailing lists, I just don’t know if they can be applied to any blog or just to those that are selling stuff. I guess it can be a very powerful tool for any online business.

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Mariella,

      They are powerful for any business! And bloggers are at an incredible advantage of having their reputation already established.

      You can even recommend products or services you already use and possibly earn a commission!

      Pretty neat!

      Thanks for your comments!

      ~Christine

  33. Liezelle

    Is it possible to have mailing lists without owning a blog? I still have the skepticism of how things are going. Anyways, I have to read more blogs about these.

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Liezelle,

      Yes! It is possible to not have a blog and run an email list. I did this in another niche I’m in.

      You can either affiliate market to them or sell your own products or send them tips and advice in a newsletter about the niche market.

      Thanks!

      ~Christine

  35. Jack

    I wanted to start from Mailchimp, but friends suggested me to don’t do it because later we can’t move to Aweber without losing any subscriber. I guess Its important to check their Terms of Service first to make sure you can actually market and sell through links in your emails. Good post, thanks for sharing.

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Jack,

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      You can move your subscribers, but the process is more trouble than it’s worth – they have to re-confirm their subscription with the new service and most don’t do it.

      Best to open another account and start another list there.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      ~Christine

  36. Aditya

    Building an e-mail list is very much important as you can know who commented you and you can give them replies back.This will build relationship among the blogger and the reader.Also Influence of social media sites can not be left behind it plays a vital role in building reputation online.

  37. Derek Maak

    Hi Christine,

    I think there’s a fine line between making an email subscription box noticeable and being too blatant about it. Yes, you definitely want to make it easy for people to find and subscribe to your list, but sites that make their optin form the center of attention (or have their form pasted into every nook and cranny of their website) turn me off immediately. Give me your good stuff first and then I’ll opt-in for more, not the other way around.

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Derek,

      Good point!

      I don’t think I bombard people too much to join my list. 🙂

      However, list building is the focus, so I teach the best ways to build your list and do email marketing. And to do that, you need opt-in forms.

      And as annoying as they are, popups are still very effective. I don’t use one on this site, but on others I do and they work like a charm!

      Thanks for your comments!

      ~Christine

  39. Rajkumar Jonnala

    Hey Christine Brady,

    well building email list must for all bloggers as we can easily perform email marketing by using it.. for building email list we can use some plug ins to gather all the email from readers.

  41. IGBALAYE OLAYEMI

    This is a good article and i usually saying and will continue saying that email list is a asset because you can still use it to make money even when you are no longer operating your site/blog any more. i think we should focus more on this to help the blog and to earn huge money. thanks for sharing

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Igbalaye,

      This is a great point!

      Even if the site problogger ended today, Darren Rowse wouldn’t lose a dime of revenue thanks to his list. It’s a pretty neat business model where your website could go away and you’d still have your income.

      Thanks for stopping by!

      ~Christine

  42. mathew

    I only have 4 subscribers to my email! lol people just dont seem to want to go anywhere near mine. I dont know why. Thanks for your tips (ooooh you have a nice sign up button here i just noticed lol i need one of those)

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Matthew,

      Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

      Keep testing out different things – it might be something as simple as the font color, a change could bring many more subscribers.

      ~Christine

  43. Sergio Vasco

    An eye opener for me. I thought building the list was secondary and producing content was primary. Now I understand that both are primary and inter-related.

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Sergio,

      Great point – they are very inter-related.

      The thing about your list is that you can send a lot of your content out to them, so yes, write great content, but use it to build a great list.

      Thanks for your comments!

      ~Christine

  44. Usman

    Nice points! With an email list you have a built-in audience for your own blog, send them messages about your own blog.

  45. Jens P. Berget

    Hi Christine,

    I absolutely agree. I have tested many different methods to build my list (and to continue to grow it), and what usually works best are the most annoying methods, like popups and a welcome splash page (all new visitors have to go via the landing page). The results are great, but people do get annoyed. So, that’s why I have created optin forms instead.

    But, like you say, it’s important to have them on every page, and not only in the sidebar. And it’s important to keep testing various methods to increase the optin rate.

    I have just bought a new plugin called sticky list builder, and hopefully that one will help me to grow my list even further 🙂

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Jens,

      Glad you enjoyed it!

      It is constant testing – because sometimes all it takes is moving your forms around to see an influx of new subscribers!

      Have a great day!

      ~Christine

  46. Steve

    Hi…Christine I’m so glad of you ! you have such a share wonder full tips for How to Use Your Blog to Build Your Email List! I’ve checked out many tips for this but I always become confuse with idea & tips but I appreciate your this nice post & you well explain this tips in your post!

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Steve,

      So glad you found it helpful!

      List building and subsequently email marketing can be confusing topics, so I’m glad I could help you!

      ~Christine

  47. Mark

    Some really good points and advice being made via the comments on this post. I run a mostly offline business and we’ve always kept an email/contacts list, and for the online side of things mostly relied on facebook. I Definitely need to learn more about building the online side of things (contact list),so i enjoyed this post.

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Mark,

      Glad you enjoyed it – and yes, comments are hopping!

      Offline businesses can really benefit from list building as well – I was in real estate for years before starting my online business and communicating via email was just starting to take off – it’s a great channel though.

      Have a great day!

      ~Christine

  48. akhilendra

    Email marketing is the heart of internet marketing. One should offer easy options for sign up and there should be some incentive to the subscriber for signing up. If you can grow your email list, it is always going to help.

    But the problem is there are many who will subscribe to get the freebies but they will use id which they don’t use regularly. You will always have these subscribers, it is very tough to convert them.

    1. Christine Brady

      Hi Akhilendra,

      Very well said!

      True – there are some subscribers who only want the free item. My advice is not to worry about them – let ’em go. Focus on the ones you do have.

      ~Christine

  50. Mbasa

    Your post is spot on and it is exactly what I was looking for. Having your blog as your main traffic generation activity and then building a list from there is also a good way to make sure that one stays focused. I’ll bookmark your site so that I can read more of your content. I’m in the network marketing niche and building a list is everything for me!

  51. Andrew Legion

    If you have an idea about business then blogging also like a serious business here the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. If you think about email marketing area then building email subscriber is very important. Social media and markets are a good strategy to get more visitor and more subscriber. So join those networks and build up your mailing list as soon as possible.

  52. Bao Trung

    Thank you so much…i am new in list building and your blog helped me alot..
    Building E-mail subscribers is very important these days because this is the era of email marketing.
    Glad to see you !

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