Let’s talk about email marketing strategies for new bloggers. Many folks believe they need to constantly run Facebook ads or spend all day on TikTok to keep their business afloat.
But the truth is, that’s kinda like running on a hamster wheel; the moment your ads stop appearing and your videos stop trending, so does your business momentum.
You HAVE TO stay on the hamster wheel to stay in motion, and that’s just down-right exhausting!
This is where your email marketing strategy comes into play.
If you’re running a newer blog and you’re trying to get thet momentum and traffic flowing, starting an email list is the way to go.
WHAT IS IT?
Email marketing is simply the process of collecting the email contacts of your target audience and sending them communications to market your products and services to them.
It is a brilliant, strategic, and direct way to garner people’s attention without boosting posts and constantly recording videos.
And the best part? It doesn’t require a huge budget.
I’m a big fan of email marketing, especially for bloggers who need to make every dollar and every opportunity count.
So, let’s dig into some strategies you can use to maximize the email marketing efforts for your startup.
As a side note: these principles will apply to all bloggers, business owners, and startups, regardless of how long you’ve been in the biz. But we’re speaking of newer bloggers with the assumption that you aren’t yet experienced with email marketing.
For the sake of this article, we’re going to be using the term blogger to refer to all newer business owners and bloggers that want to grow their audience and increase sales using email marketing.
BUILDING AN ORGANIC EMAIL LIST
Many new entrepreneurs are tempted by shortcuts, like buying email lists or using ‘hacks’ to capture new emails.
But let me tell you something, my friend: when it comes to genuine engagement and organic growth, these tactics won’t get you far.
Instead of focusing on the size of your email list, I encourage you to build it organically.
This might seem daunting when your current subscriber total is ZERO, but don’t worry, you’re not alone in this journey.
There are several growth strategies to consider, ones that actually work:
OFFERING VALUE
The best way to build your list is to offer something of value exclusively to people ON YOUR LIST.
This will motivate potential subscribers to join, just so they can get your free gift.
Think of a potential freebie you can offer exclusively to email subscribers.
REFERRALS
Word-of-mouth is a powerful thing.
Once you have a few subscribers on your list, you can encourage people who’ve signed up to spread the word about your business (and your offerings).
You can ask your subscribers to review the free gift you provided and give a shout out on social media or in a popular Facebook group.
Get other people talking about what you offer! You can even offer some incentives or referral bonuses to people that bring business or new subscribers to your list.
Get creative! You have options.
SUBSCRIPTION FORMS ON YOUR WEBSITE
A subscribe box or a pop-up form on your website can be a game changer.
It allows visitors to easily share their contact information, subscribe to your list, and stay updated with your brand.
You can put a subscribe form on every blog post and page on your site.
Add a pop-up box that appears when people try to exit your site.
Have a little subscribe bar at the top of your site.
So many options!
I use Mailerlite for my email marketing on this site, but there are plenty of options out there and they all do just about the same job.
Find the service you like and roll with it!
LEAD ALL CHANNELS TO YOUR EMAIL
If you want to grow your email list organically, you have to use an aggressive strategy, without being too annoying.
It’s a delicate balance.
Remember the whole point of growing the email list is to connect with your audience, grow brand awareness, and promote your stuff anytime that you want (to increase revenue babyyyyyyyy)!
Use your social media profiles to lead people to your website or landing page where they can subscribe to your emails. You can use posts or stories to inform people about the richer, more exclusive content that is only available through your emails.
ADVERTISEMENTS
Running ads on platforms like Facebook or Instagram can lead people to your landing page for the free gift/lead magnet you offer email subscribers.
Once they’re there, make sure your copy encourages them to sign up for your newsletters or updates.
EMAILS YOU SHOULD SEND
Okay. Now we have the email list started and we want to start sending emails (even if there is only one person on the list).
Regardless of the type of startup you’re running, there are certain types of emails you should consider sending to your list.
Welcome Email
This one is not optional.
This email should be sent as soon as someone signs up to your list. It’s your chance to introduce your brand and set expectations for future communication.
Onboarding Series
This is also called a ‘welcome series’ in some email marketing circles.
A series of emails that guides a new subscriber through all the features and benefits of your product or service, and lets them get to know YOU a bit.
These emails aim to forge an emotional connection and create a habit around your brand.
Also a non-negotiable. You need an onboarding sequence.
Newsletter
Not only does it keep your brand top of mind, but it also helps establish your authority in your niche. This helps attract customers and fans.
Sales & Product Launches
Balance your nurturing emails and informational emails with direct promotions and product updates.
This transitions your relationship from purely informational to transactional.
This also keeps your list clean and healthy. You don’t want unnnecessary ‘weight’ on your email list.
Peppering in those launches and promos will create opportunities for the people that just want free stuff to exit your community.
ADDITIONAL EMAIL MARKETING STRATEGIES
You have your email list setup, your subscribe boxes are bringing in some new contacts, and you have some emails sending.
Here are a few extra strategies you can use to keep that startup growing!
Segment and Automate
Segmenting your email list into categories based on demographics, preferences, and needs allows you to send targeted emails that truly resonate with your audience.
This improves engagement and reduces unsubscribes.
Optimize by Using Data
Monitoring important metrics, such as open rates and engagement, helps you gauge the effectiveness of your email campaigns.
Regularly reviewing this data allows you to course-correct as needed and continually improve your email marketing strategy.
Stay out of the Spam Box
Making sure your emails land in the inbox and not the spam box is essential.
To avoid landing in the spam box, make sure you:
- Craft genuine and compelling subject lines that encourage opens
- Request that new subscribers ‘white list’ your email or move you from the ‘promotions’ tab to the main inbox if they are gmail users
- Make it easy for people to unsubscribe (no hiding the unsubscribe link in tiny light fonts)
- Always proofread your emails
- Make sure you maintain a healthy text-to-image ratio.
WHAT’S NEXT?
So there you have it!
Email marketing is such a valuable tool for bloggers, bloggers, and business owners.
From building an organically grown email list to crafting a range of emails that resonate with your subscribers, every step listed above is crucial in your email marketing journey.
But remember, nothing worth having will be easy-breezy all the time.
So yes, you might have to be patient, learn from the data, and constantly optimize your strategy.
The goal is not just to avoid landing in the spam box, but to create an email strategy that feels personal, engaging, and valuable to your audience.
When you do this, you’re not just another company sending emails, you’re a trusted friend offering valuable insights and solutions.
To make this process easier, consider trying an email marketing software like Mailerlire.
They offer a free 30-day trial that includes access to all their features & no credit card required.
It’s an easy way to start crafting your campaigns and increasing revenue from your marketing efforts.
Always remember, the magic of email marketing lies in nurturing and building relationships. So, step off that hamster wheel of constant ads and video creation, embrace the power of emails, and start growing that list today!
I’m here in your corner and I’ve got your back!