Why You MUST Build Your Email List For Your Blog

why build an email listAre you planning to build an email list, but having some doubts about why you need it? Many bloggers don’t realize the importance of building an email list when they’re first starting out.

In this post, I will share some reasons why exactly you need to start an email list:

Why building an email list is important?

If you realize that each email you have belongs to a real human being then you will understand why an email list is important. In fact, it’s arguably one of the most valuable business assets you have.

The most successful online marketers in the industry agree that your email list is your most valuable business asset. If they’re still saying it and using it, it must be true.

1. You have full control

Social media is a great place to communicate with your audience but you don’t have full control over it.

  • How many times have Facebook and Pinterest changed its algorithm?
  • How many times have you heard Twitter is down?
You may have thousands of followers on Facebook and Pinterest but you do not own those followers. It’s rented land.

Your social media campaigns can go to waste if these platforms change their policies. It can and will be ripped out from under you whenever you break a rule or the platform disappears. Waving at you Google+!

As Joe Pulizzi once said, “You can’t build your content on rented land.”. What’s here today, will be gone tomorrow. Except when it comes to one thing – Email.

Email, while it has evolved has always been around and will always be around. Even if social media policy changes, you still have your email list who is ready to open your emails and read your updates. 

2. Get Returning Visitors

Here’s a scary fact:
According to Bounce Exchange, 70 to 96 percent of the visitors on your site will never return. If you want proof, then take a look at your Google Analytics and see the percentage of new vs returning visitors.
 
Your visitors are valuable. Don’t miss the chance to turn a casual skimmer into an avid fan.
 
Blogging isn’t always about getting new visitors to your blog after all. Make sure to invite them back to your site with another great post.

3. Most People Aren’t Active Participants

One thing to remember about email is that usually, the engagement goes one way. In groups like those on Facebook, it’s often two-way communication. This gives a false impression of more engagement in groups than on lists. But most people who are members of groups do not take part and are what we call lurkers.
 
The same is true of your email list. But, if 10 percent of your list responds to any offer as you build your list your money-making ability goes up.

4. Email is Personal

People read emails in the privacy of their inboxes. It’s not a message displayed on a public timeline or newsfeed.
 
They can ask you questions in private with confidence by replying to your message. This helps you build a connection with your audience.

5. Build Trust 

An email list is a great place to build trust. You’ll send information that educates the audience on the subject that they signed up to learn about.
 
Your ability to send them frequent and high-quality information is important.
 
You don’t want to go silent to your email list.
 
You want them to get used to receiving valuable information from you. That way when you send an offer, they’ll open the email, and be more likely to respond.

6. Provide Targeted Information

When you’ve worked hard to segment your list you can provide targeted information to each member. Most autoresponder services have ways to segment list members based on their behavior.
 
Look at tagging and segmentation information with your email provider for more information.
 
When you give the information that the person needs you’ll be able to sell the right products and services.

7. Money is on the list

Do you plan to sell products or services on your website? Then you need an email list.
 
Think it this way…
 
When people joined your email list, it most likely means they want to hear more from you.
 
They want to hear your advice and opinion. They find value in it, and they are more likely to become buyers.

7. Make Repeat Offers

One thing to remember is even the most dedicated list member will not open all your email messages. Thus, you need to send any offer many times by varying the time of day as well as the style of message.
 
For example:
  • you might send a heads-up email telling your members that an offer is coming.
  • then you may send the information when the offer is ready
  • and then you can send updates over the campaign each day to remind them not to miss out.

All this is so much easier to do with an email list. You can improve your messages over time based on your list members’ behavior. If you’re still not sure, just look at your stats.

In Summary

I hope this article helped you understand why building an email list is important. Again, here are the reasons why need to build an email list:

  1. You have full control
  2. Get returning visitors
  3. Email is personal
  4. Email builds trust
  5. Provide targeted information
  6. You’ll make more money
  7. Make repeat offers

 

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