How strong is your relationship with your readers? Do many of them visit your blog only once, or do you attract repeat visitors?
Building a loyal readership base can be hard work, but it’s ultimately worth the effort. Repeat viewers will support you through new business endeavors, such as blog changes and book releases. Drawing in newsletter subscribers can help you understand your readership more accurately and collect traffic metrics.
Create a clear signup form
Is it easy for readers to sign up for your blog newsletter? Or do readers have to search through your website for a signup form? Your newsletter signupfield should be unobtrusive, but embedded in every single page of your blog.
This means that when someone reads any article on your page, he or she can sign up on a whim. Newsletter management services will often provide you with a simple signup form code. All you need to do is copy and paste this snipped HTML into your blog’s source code.
Some bloggers will incorporate a pop-up advertisement that prompts readers to sign up. If you decide to go this route, make sure to choose a service that will disable pop-ups over a specified time period. Incessant pop-ups can irritate visitors, impede reading, and cause you to lose traffic. Many pop-up ad services remind readers to join periodically.
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Identify reader benefits
What incentives do you give readers to sign up for your blog? Are the benefits made clear on your webpage? You should be able to summarize the appeal in just a few sentences.
Define exactly what your readers will receive in each newsletter and tell them how often these emails will be sent out. Some bloggers decide to send free content tidbits, such as PDF publications and bi-weekly advice columns, to their readers.
Others design eye-catching info graphics, which are sent out to subscribers on a regular basis. Make sure to identify these tangible benefits on your signup form.
Email frequency is a critical piece of information for readers. People need to understand what they’re signing up for. You might be a talkative blogger, and send out updates on a daily basis. Not all your readers will have the time and patience for this frequency.
On the flip side, some readers may be eager to hear from you right away. Establishing a frequency will help avid readers know when to expect your newest updates. Being up-front about newsletter frequency will foster a list of excited subscribers.
Calls to action
You won’t get very far with an email newsletter unless you issue calls to action. Embed links to your newsletter signup form near the end of articles you share on other websites.
A sample call to action might look like: “Just click here to sign up for my newsletter, if you would like more information like this delivered right to your inbox.” You can offer bonus incentives within your call-to-action strategy, such as “Visit my website to see my favoritebusiness listings, app recommendations, and suggested reading materials!”
While it might seem like an obvious request, you might be surprised by how many bloggers skip the call to action.
Calls to action can also create higher engagement rates. They can be used in email subject lines to compel readers to open an email right away, so your message isn’t lost in the flow of spam and marketing emails.
Calls to action can be used within the body of your newsletter, where they’ll encourage people to comment or send feedback over social media. These requests should be incorporated throughout your email campaign strategy.
Newsletters can help you build a clear list of loyal readers and blog visitors. Your subscription rates may soar after you’ve implemented sign-up forms, offered reader incentives, and issued calls to action. Keep readers engaged by providing them with links back to your blog within your newsletter.
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