Email marketing remains one of the most effective ways for bloggers to grow their business and connect with readers. But crafting campaigns that captivate subscribers, drive traffic, and increase sales takes skill.
This article will provide 13 powerful email marketing tips to help bloggers 4x the growth of their business.
Whether you’re just starting or looking to improve an existing email list, these strategies will transform the way you build relationships through your inbox. And don’t forget to use an email marketing tool to help you with the process.
Why Bloggers Should Use Email Marketing
Email marketing is pivotal for bloggers looking to expand their business and earnings. Studies show that email converts at 40 times the rate of other marketing channels. For every $1 a blogger invests in email marketing, they can expect an average return of $40. That’s over 4000% growth!
Beyond increased revenue, email enables bloggers to build deeper relationships with their audience. Subscribers who engage with email read blog content more regularly and remain loyal fans for years. Email also allows bloggers to redirect readers to new posts, promote products, deliver valuable updates, and nurture leads into customers.
With the proven power of email to captivate audiences and dramatically grow profits, it’s no wonder over 90% of bloggers rely on email marketing. The effort to craft campaigns that convert is well worth the substantial rewards.
1. Offer Subscribers-Only Content
Delivering exclusive content is one of the most effective email marketing strategies for bloggers to rapidly grow their email lists.
By providing subscriber-only posts, videos, or podcast episodes, you incentivize readers to sign up to access the special material. This content shows loyal followers that you value them enough to create VIP resources just for them.
Here’s an example of an opt-in form for list building:
Exclusive subscriber content can take many forms. For example, you could write in-depth blog posts only sent out in your newsletter.
Create a library of subscriber-exclusive videos that explore topics in more detail. Or produce special editions of your podcast that subscribers can access early. Gated meditation tracks, coupon codes, and giveaways also make strong incentives.
The key is creating exclusive content that provides real value to your subscribers. This content should be better than what’s available for free. The focus should remain on your readers and crafting incentives they’ll be thrilled to receive. If your subscriber-only content captivates and delights, your email list will expand rapidly.
2. Promote New Blog Posts
One of the simplest yet most effective email marketing tactics for bloggers is to automatically notify subscribers every time you publish a new piece of content. Email enables you to redirect readers directly to your latest blog posts at the moment they go live. This helps ensure your hard work producing great content doesn’t go to waste.
Setting up post-promotion emails is easy using services like Mailchimp. You can instantly ping subscribers with a link to your newest article, video, or podcast. Write a captivating subject line that builds anticipation. Use the preview text to highlight key details that will entice readers. With post-promotion emails in place, you can expand the reach of content and increase engagement.
Promoting new blog posts through email is also a great way to boost site traffic and search engine rankings. The more readers that engage with your latest content right away, the more signals search engines receive about relevancy and interest. Higher traffic and engagement metrics lead to better SERP rankings. Email subsequently enables bloggers to enhance search visibility too.
3. Spotlight Products or Services
Email marketing enables bloggers to directly spotlight products and services relevant to their audience. You can showcase special deals, discounts, sales, or affiliate partnerships without filtering through social algorithms. This allows you to convert readers into buyers or partners seamlessly.
Craft dedicated emails that comprehensively feature specific products, services, deals, or affiliate programs you want to promote. Use visuals like images and GIFs to capture attention while summarizing key selling points in the copy. Ensure the products align closely with your niche and reader interests based on past analytics.
Spotlighting affiliate offerings or your products through email gives bloggers immense power to increase sales. You can break down product benefits, explain special discounts, highlight user reviews or testimonials, and provide direct checkout links. Email enables you to showcase offerings so readers purchase them right from their inbox. The buying process becomes seamless.
4. Share Curated Newsletters
Curating and delivering newsletters packed with value for your audience can captivate email subscribers. These roundups showcase popular posts from your blog, news from your industry, the latest tools, or other topics your followers care about. Newsletters demonstrate your expertise while keeping readers plugged into what matters most.
When curating content for newsletters, rigorously vet and select each item based on subscriber interests. Align selections closely to the core topics and niches that typically resonate most with your audience. Summarize key details from longer-form content to highlight relevance. Ensure you properly credit any third-party sources.
Well-crafted newsletters that genuinely serve subscribers with relevant, timely, and digestible content will keep your emails engaging open rates high. Readers eager for your next curated issue stimulate list growth. Position yourself as an industry insider that subscribers rely on by delivering newsletters that consistently captivate.
5. Give Away Lead Magnets
One of the fastest ways for bloggers to rapidly expand their email list is to give away free lead magnet content in exchange for email addresses. Known as opt-in bribes, these incentives entice readers to sign up for your newsletter to gain access. From ebooks to online courses, templates to cheat sheets, lead magnets convince subscribers to join.
Effective lead magnets provide readers with something exceptionally valuable at no cost. For example, you could offer a comprehensive ebook that teaches a skill related to your niche. Or build a free email course that guides users through important industry topics. Even free templates, checklists, or audio tracks make strong lead magnets.
Whatever opt-in bribe you provide, ensure it genuinely captures interest and delivers value. Track your opt-in rates and conversions to see how well your lead magnet is performing.Â
Well-crafted lead magnets developed specifically for your target demographic can double or even triple email subscription rates. Promote your giveaway through website pop-ups, blog posts, and social channels. As signups grow, engage these new subscribers to fuel expansion.
6. Promote Social Media Channels
Email enables bloggers to easily promote their most important social media channels by redirecting subscribers directly to those profiles. Include links to your Facebook page, Twitter handle, Instagram feed, YouTube videos, online courses, niche forums, and any other platforms pivotal to your strategy.
Craft dedicated emails that comprehensively showcase what readers can expect from following you on key channels. For example, if video content is critical, spotlight your YouTube channel through email. Summarize exciting upcoming videos in production along with your most popular existing content.
Promotional emails that demonstrate the value readers gain from engaging across channels can rapidly expand followers. Position yourself as an industry personality people feel compelled to follow everywhere by highlighting strengths unique to each platform. Just make sure to segment channels into separate emails to avoid overwhelming readers. The goal is to spotlight why each channel deserves their follow.
7. Highlight Testimonials and Wins
Showcasing the best feedback and reviews you’ve received is an impactful email strategy. Positive testimonials build authority and credibility fast. When industry peers, customers, or notable professionals endorse your work, share quotes from that praise in emails.
You can also highlight key media coverage, awards won, or other achievements through email. For example, if your blog content recently got accepted to an influential affiliate network, notify email subscribers about that win. PR opportunities, guest columns in top publications, or nominations for niche awards also make great email content.
Readers want to engage with proven industry leaders who deliver real value. Testimonials, reviews, and press validate quality. An email newsletter packed with kudos establishes trust quickly and subconsciously. Subscribers feel reassured by giving you their attention when credible names back your work. Highlight wins wisely without gloating.
8. Onboard with Sequences
Making a strong first impression with new email subscribers is critical to list growth. Welcome and educate readers when they initially sign up through subscriber onboarding sequences. These pre-scheduled series of 3-5 emails introduce your best content while orienting followers.
You can use a platform like Mailchimp or Convertkit to create automated email sequences for your blog.
Effective onboarding sequences immediately deliver value.
- Open by showcasing your most popular posts, products, or services based on metrics.
- Explain key details newcomers should know like newsletter frequency, platform profiles, contact options, etc.
- Share unique offerings such as lead magnets and exclusive content they now can access.
Personalized onboarding sequences build relationships with subscribers quickly. Tailor content to niche interests whenever possible. Resist overselling immediately so readers have space to understand offerings at their own pace. Well-structured auto-sequences with quality content retain over 40% more subscribers compared to no onboarding. First impressions last.
9. Survey Readers
Email enables bloggers to survey subscribers to gain crucial insights directly from the source. Well-crafted polls, questionnaires, and reader research uncover content interests, platform preferences, demographic intel, and other data.
Surveys empower you to craft content and campaigns precisely tailored to what followers want. For example, ask readers to vote on their favorite and least favorite article topics monthly. Poll subscribers about what days and times they most want emails delivered. Question email list segments on preferences for platform and format.
Consistently surveying readers and applying insights to optimize your strategy retains subscribers longer. People feel valued when content aligns with preferences. Response data also informs better demographic targeting, lead nurturing, and sales messaging. Just keep questions concise so completion rates stay high. Let reader feedback guide your approach.
10. Foster User-Generated Content
Email enables bloggers to easily foster user-generated content by empowering readers to directly submit guest posts, commentary, images, or other content. You can then feature these submissions through your platforms.
Request contributor material through dedicated emails. Provide submission guidelines detailing your criteria for assessing UGC. Clearly define desired formats, topics, length, deadlines, and any legal particulars around usage rights. Make the process extremely simple by including an online form or email address for sending pitches.
Featuring quality user-generated content keeps your blog, social media, and email marketing fresh with new perspectives. Compelling guest posts from industry experts also helps drive traffic and links. Showcasing reader photos, videos, and quotes further humanizes your brand while nurturing loyalty. Solicit UGC focused on what your audience wants to see featured.
11. Promote Events and Offers
Email enables bloggers to directly inform subscribers about time-limited events, contests, sales, and other event promotions. You can create urgency and excitement around openings that spark real action.
For example, if you are hosting a live webinar, use email to drive registrations. Summarize key details about the topics, guests, giveaways, and interactive elements planned for the event. Include calls to action with registration deadlines to stimulate signups. Similarly for product sales or contest entries only open for short periods, email drives conversions.
Promotional emails focused on scarcity sell opportunities. Countdown timers, remaining ticket numbers, or inventory stock levels conveyed in the copy add pressure. While you want to compel a response, ensure language avoids overly aggressive hard-selling. Strategic promotion of temporary deals and events drives results.
12. Reward Loyal Subscribers
Loyal long-term email subscribers deserve appreciation for their dedication over the years. You can retain readers by delivering exclusive rewards and subscriber-only perks not available to others.
Special rewards for VIP followers build community while making those recipients feel valued. For example, you might give early access to new products or content for veteran subscribers. Host annual subscriber-only giveaways or contests with prizes tailor-suited to their niche interests. Even sentimental gestures like handwritten thank-you notes on milestones retain readers.
Whatever rewards you grant to loyal supporters, uniqueness, and exclusivity matter most. Special gifts not available to others cement devotion because recipients feel part of an inner circle. Thoughtful gestures based on tenure also motivate veteran followers to continue opening and engaging regularly with your emails.
13. Test and Optimize
The most effective email marketers continually test and optimize different parts of their strategy. They experiment with email length, frequency, send times, subject lines, content types, and creative approaches. Testing enables constant incremental improvements.
You can A/B test emails to uncover what resonates best with your subscribers. For example, send one version to a small segment and a slightly different version to another. Gauge open and click-through rates to determine the better performer. Similarly, split test the day and time you send emails to discover when most subscribers engage.
Ongoing experimentation leads to major optimization gains over time. Apply learnings about subscriber preferences to continually refine your approach. Audit analytics quarterly to identify new areas for testing. Optimization might seem tedious but pays off exponentially through list growth and revenue.
Email continues offering the highest conversions and ROI of any platform when executed strategically. Captivating and delighting your subscribers through inbox campaigns cultivate loyalty while stimulating growth.
Whether launching new exclusive content, spotlighting products, promoting events, or optimizing approaches, the power of email endures mightily. Follow these tips to transform the way you build relationships and value through the inbox.