So, you’ve got a blog going, and it’s chugging along nicely. You’ve got some readers, a few comments here and there, but you’re thinking, “How can I grow my audience without chasing them down in the street with a link to my blog?” Fear not, my friend. The answer is email marketing. It’s like inviting someone over for coffee, but instead of just one cup, you’re offering them a never-ending stream of awesome content, right to their inbox.
But before you get visions of spammy newsletters dancing in your head, let’s be clear: email marketing is one of the best, most personal ways to connect with your readers. Done right, it can turn casual readers into loyal fans who actually look forward to your emails. Let’s dive into the wonderful world of email marketing and how it can help grow your blog audience—no spamming required.
Why Email Marketing?
You might be thinking, “Do people even open emails anymore?” The answer is: Yes! People might complain about their inbox being full, but when they receive an email from someone they trust, packed with value and maybe a little humor, they’re all in.
Here’s why email marketing works wonders for growing your blog audience:
- Direct connection: You’re landing straight in your readers’ inbox, which is more personal than hoping they stumble upon your blog through social media or a random Google search.
- Builds relationships: Over time, you can build a rapport with your readers. They get to know you, your writing style, and what your blog is all about.
- It’s reliable: Social media algorithms can be unpredictable, but an email list is something you own. Your message goes directly to your audience without fighting an algorithm.
Funny Tip:
Email marketing is like sending a personalized invitation to a party, rather than yelling “Come to my blog!” across a crowded street and hoping someone hears you. The inbox is prime real estate!
Step 1: Build Your Email List
Before you can start emailing anyone, you need to build an email list. This is your treasure trove of people who are genuinely interested in your content and actually want to hear from you.
Create a Sign-Up Form
First things first, you need a way for people to sign up. Most email marketing platforms (like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or MailerLite) offer easy-to-use sign-up forms that you can embed on your blog.
Here’s where it gets important: Make your form hard to resist. Don’t just slap up a “Subscribe to my newsletter” box and call it a day. Let people know what they’re getting in exchange for their email. Is it exclusive content? Blog updates? A funny meme every Monday morning? Make it sound exciting.
Pro Tip: Offer a lead magnet—something free and valuable that people will want in exchange for their email. This could be an eBook, checklist, or even an exclusive blog post that they won’t find anywhere else.
Funny Tip:
Think of your lead magnet like the free samples they give out at grocery stores. No one’s going to say no to a bite-sized cheesecake—just like no one will say no to your free, exclusive content (especially if it’s just as delicious).
Place Sign-Up Forms Strategically
Don’t hide your sign-up form at the bottom of your blog where only a few dedicated scroll-happy readers might stumble upon it. Make it easy to find:
- In the sidebar of your blog (where it’s always visible).
- At the end of your blog posts (when people are done reading, they might want more).
- In a pop-up (just don’t make it annoying—timed pop-ups work better than ones that appear the second someone lands on your page).
Step 2: Craft Irresistible Emails
Once you’ve got people on your list, it’s time to start emailing. The key here is to make your emails valuable, interesting, and maybe even a little fun. You don’t want to be the email people delete faster than a promotional coupon.
Keep It Personal
Nobody wants to feel like they’re just another name on a massive email list. One of the great things about email marketing is that you can make your emails feel personal—even if you’re sending it to hundreds of subscribers.
Use your readers’ names in the email (most email platforms let you do this automatically), and write like you’re having a conversation with a friend. You can even ask questions or encourage them to reply to your emails—this helps build a relationship and turns your audience from casual readers into loyal fans.
Funny Tip:
Writing a great email is like writing a letter to your favorite pen pal from summer camp. Keep it casual, fun, and maybe throw in a joke about the time you both tried to canoe backward.
Give Them Value
When sending out emails, make sure they’re worth reading. This could mean giving sneak peeks into your upcoming blog posts, exclusive content that only your subscribers get, or valuable tips that complement your blog topics.
You want people to open your emails and think, “Wow, I’m glad I subscribed!” instead of “Ugh, another newsletter clogging up my inbox.”
Keep It Short and Sweet
No one’s looking to read a novel in their email inbox (that’s what your blog is for!). Keep your emails short, to the point, and easy to read. If you’re sharing a new blog post, tease it with a catchy summary and a clear call to action (CTA) that directs them to your blog to read more.
Funny Tip:
An email that’s too long is like a never-ending Zoom meeting. Your readers are silently wishing for an exit, so keep it snappy and fun!
Step 3: Use Email to Drive Blog Traffic
Alright, you’ve got your email list and you’re sending out killer content. But how do you use email marketing to actually grow your blog audience?
Share Your Latest Blog Posts
One of the simplest ways to use email marketing is to let your subscribers know every time you’ve got a new post. Send a brief email that hooks them with a catchy title or intro, and include a clear CTA to read the full post on your blog.
Pro tip: You don’t need to send an email for every single blog post, but a weekly or bi-weekly round-up works wonders.
Exclusive Content & Offers
Reward your email subscribers by giving them exclusive content they can’t get anywhere else. This could be an extended version of a popular post, access to a free resource, or early access to an exciting announcement.
By making your email list feel special, they’ll be more likely to open your emails, engage with your blog, and even share it with others.
Promote Your Best-Performing Posts
Have an old post that did really well? Don’t be afraid to reshare your best content with new subscribers. Just because it’s not “new” doesn’t mean it’s not valuable. This is especially true if you have evergreen content that’s relevant no matter when people read it.
Funny Tip:
Sharing your best blog posts again is like busting out your best dance moves at a party. You know they’re a hit, so why not show them off?
Step 4: Grow Your Audience with Shareable Emails
One of the coolest things about email marketing is that it can help you grow your audience beyond just the people on your list. How? By making your emails so good that people can’t resist sharing them!
Encourage Forwarding
At the end of your email, include a friendly reminder to forward it to friends or colleagues who might also enjoy the content. You could even offer a little incentive, like a free resource or shoutout, for people who refer others to your list.
Funny Tip:
Think of it like the email version of “bring a friend” night at your favorite restaurant. Except, instead of free appetizers, your new subscribers get awesome content!
Social Media Links
Include social sharing buttons in your emails, making it easy for readers to share your blog content on their social platforms. If one of your emails resonates with them, they can spread the word with a single click, bringing more traffic to your blog.
Step 5: Analyze and Improve
Like any good strategy, email marketing is all about learning and improving over time. Check your analytics to see:
- Open rates: How many people are opening your emails?
- Click-through rates: How many people are clicking on the links to your blog?
- Unsubscribes: Are people dropping off your list? Why might that be?
These insights will help you tweak your emails and improve over time. It’s not about getting it perfect right away but learning what works and building from there.
Email marketing might seem a bit old school in today’s world of Instagram Reels and TikTok trends, but it remains one of the most effective ways to build a loyal audience. By creating valuable, engaging emails that lead your readers back to your blog, you’ll not only grow your traffic but also deepen your connection with your audience.
And remember, it’s not about quantity—it’s about quality. A smaller list of engaged readers is far more valuable than a massive list of people who never open your emails.