Grow Your Audience: A Comprehensive Guide to Creating a Mailing List for Your Blogger Blog

Building a successful blog isn’t just about consistently posting great content; it’s also about cultivating a loyal audience who actively engage with your work. While social media platforms can be helpful for promotion, they don’t provide the same level of direct communication and ownership as an email list. A mailing list allows you to connect with your readers on a more personal level, share exclusive content, drive repeat traffic to your blog, and ultimately, foster a thriving online community. If you’re using Blogger, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the steps of creating and utilizing a mailing list effectively.

Why Building an Email List is Crucial for Bloggers

Before diving into the ‘how,’ let’s briefly discuss the ‘why’ of email list building:

• Direct Communication: Unlike social media algorithms that often limit your reach, email allows you to communicate directly with your subscribers. Your message lands directly in their inbox, ensuring they see it.
• Ownership and Control: You own your email list, unlike social media platforms that can change their policies or even disappear. Your list is a valuable asset that you control.
• Targeted Marketing: Email allows you to segment your audience based on their interests and preferences, enabling you to send more relevant and personalized messages.
• Increased Engagement: Email newsletters can drive repeat traffic to your blog, encouraging readers to revisit your content and stay engaged with your brand.
• Building Relationships: Through regular email communication, you can build stronger relationships with your readers, fostering a sense of community and loyalty.
• Monetization Opportunities: A well-maintained email list opens doors to various monetization strategies, such as promoting products, services, or affiliate offers.

Choosing an Email Marketing Service

While Blogger doesn’t have built-in email list management features, you’ll need to utilize a third-party email marketing service (ESP). Numerous ESPs cater to various needs and budgets. Here are a few popular options worth considering:

• Mailchimp: A popular choice for beginners, Mailchimp offers a user-friendly interface, a free plan for smaller lists, and a wide range of features.
• ConvertKit: Designed specifically for creators, ConvertKit focuses on email automation, segmentation, and landing page building.
• MailerLite: An affordable option offering robust features, including landing page design, automation, and pop-ups.
• GetResponse: A comprehensive platform with email marketing, automation, landing pages, and webinar features.
• ActiveCampaign: Known for its advanced automation capabilities and CRM features.
• Brevo (formerly Sendinblue): An all-in-one marketing platform that also offers affordable transactional emails and SMS features.

The best choice for you depends on your specific needs, budget, and technical comfort level. Most ESPs offer free trials or free plans for small lists, allowing you to test the waters before committing to a paid subscription.

Step-by-Step Guide: Creating a Mailing List for Your Blogger Blog

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of creating your email list. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Sign Up for an Email Marketing Service

Begin by selecting an email marketing service that aligns with your preferences and requirements. Visit their website and sign up for a free trial or create a free account (if available). Follow their instructions to set up your account and configure your profile.

Step 2: Create a List (or Audience)

Within your chosen ESP, you’ll need to create a list (also sometimes referred to as an “audience”). This list will be where you store all your subscriber email addresses. Give your list a clear and descriptive name, such as “[Your Blog Name] Newsletter Subscribers” or “[Your Blog Topic] Updates”. You may also be prompted to set up double opt-in (recommended) which means subscribers will receive a confirmation email after signing up to verify they want to be on the list.

Step 3: Design a Sign-Up Form

Next, you’ll need to design a sign-up form. This form will be embedded on your Blogger site and allow visitors to subscribe to your email list. Most ESPs offer a variety of pre-designed templates you can customize. Consider the following when designing your form:

• Keep it Simple: Ask for only the necessary information (usually just an email address). The more fields you include, the lower your conversion rate might be.
• Clear Call to Action: Use action-oriented language like “Subscribe Now,” “Join Our Community,” or “Get Free Updates” for your button.
• Placement: The placement of your sign-up form can significantly impact its visibility. Consider placing it in prominent locations, such as your sidebar, header, footer, within blog posts, or as a pop-up.
• Design: Ensure your form is visually appealing and aligns with your blog’s branding.

Once you’ve designed your form, your ESP will typically provide you with HTML code that you will need for the next step.

Step 4: Embed the Sign-Up Form on Your Blogger Blog

Now, it’s time to add the sign-up form to your Blogger site. Here are a few ways to do this:

Method 1: Using a Sidebar Widget

1. Go to your Blogger dashboard and navigate to “Layout”.
2. Click “Add a Gadget” in the desired sidebar location.
3. Scroll down and choose “HTML/JavaScript”.
4. Paste the HTML code provided by your ESP into the content area of the gadget.
5. Click “Save”.
6. Check your blog to verify the form is displayed correctly.

Method 2: Embedding Within a Blog Post or Page

1. Open the blog post or page where you want to embed the form.
2. Click on the “HTML view” tab.
3. Paste the HTML code from your ESP into the content area, at the spot where you want the form to appear.
4. Click on the “Compose view” tab again to see how it appears visually.
5. Click “Publish” or “Update” to save your changes.

Method 3: Using a Pop-Up Form (If Supported by Your ESP)

Some ESPs offer pop-up form options. These can be highly effective at capturing attention and growing your list. If your ESP offers this functionality, follow their instructions to create and configure your pop-up form. You might need to install a tracking code provided by your ESP, usually within the `` tag of your Blogger blog, to make the pop-up function.

To add code to your `` section on Blogger:

1. From the Blogger dashboard, navigate to “Theme”.
2. Click on the three dots near “Customize” then select “Edit HTML”
3. Locate the `` tag and paste the code provided by your ESP directly below it.
4. Click “Save” (floppy disk icon at the top).

Step 5: Create a Lead Magnet (Optional but Highly Effective)

A lead magnet (also known as an opt-in freebie) is a valuable resource you offer in exchange for a visitor’s email address. It can be an ebook, a checklist, a template, a cheat sheet, a discount code, or any other valuable piece of content relevant to your target audience. Offering a lead magnet significantly increases your conversion rate, as visitors are more likely to subscribe if they receive something in return.

Consider the following when creating your lead magnet:

• Relevance: Ensure your lead magnet is highly relevant to your blog’s topic and your target audience.
• Value: It should be genuinely helpful and offer a tangible benefit to your subscribers.
• Format: Choose a format that is easy to consume and access (e.g., PDF, downloadable document).

Once you’ve created your lead magnet, integrate it into your email sign-up process. When someone signs up, they should automatically receive an email with a link to download their freebie.

Step 6: Write a Welcome Email

The welcome email is the first impression your new subscriber has after signing up. Make it count! Use this email to:

• Thank Them: Express your gratitude for subscribing.
• Deliver the Lead Magnet (if applicable): Provide a clear link to download the freebie.
• Set Expectations: Let them know what type of content they can expect to receive in future emails and how often you will send them.
• Invite Engagement: Encourage them to respond to your email, visit your blog, or follow you on social media.

Automate your welcome email sequence so it is sent immediately upon subscription, using the automation feature in your chosen ESP.

Step 7: Promote Your Mailing List

Building an email list is not a “build it and they will come” scenario. You need to actively promote your list. Here are a few effective strategies:

• Call to Action within Blog Posts: Encourage readers to join your list at the end of your blog posts.
• Social Media Promotion: Share your sign-up form on your social media channels.
• Guest Blogging: Include a link to your sign-up form in your guest author bio.
• Link in Email Signature: Include a link to your sign-up form in your email signature.
• Website Banner: Consider using a prominent banner on your website promoting your list.
• Content Upgrades: Offer specific bonuses or resources within blog posts for subscribers only.
• Run Contests and Giveaways: Increase your list size with giveaways where entering requires an email subscription.

Step 8: Send Regular, Engaging Emails

Once you have a list, it’s important to keep it engaged. Here are a few tips for sending effective email newsletters:

• Maintain Consistency: Send regular emails (e.g., weekly or bi-weekly) to keep your subscribers engaged and prevent them from forgetting about you.
• Offer Value: Focus on providing valuable content, such as blog post updates, exclusive content, tips, resources, or special offers.
• Use a Clear and Concise Subject Line: Your subject line should be engaging and accurately reflect the email content.
• Segment Your List: If applicable, segment your list based on interests or preferences and send tailored messages.
• Personalize Your Emails: Use the subscriber’s name to make your emails feel more personal.
• Include a Call to Action: Encourage your subscribers to engage with your content, whether it’s to read a blog post, visit a product page, or respond to an inquiry.
• Test and Optimize: Analyze your email open and click-through rates and adjust your strategies as needed.
• Respect Unsubscribes: Make it easy for people to unsubscribe and respect their decision.

Key Takeaways

Building an email list is a crucial step in growing your Blogger blog and establishing a lasting connection with your audience. It takes time and effort, but the benefits are immeasurable. By following the steps outlined above, you can create an engaged email list that drives traffic to your blog, builds a loyal community, and opens new opportunities for growth and monetization.

Remember that consistency, providing valuable content, and fostering genuine relationships with your subscribers are essential for long-term email marketing success. So, start building your list today and watch your blog flourish!