A few weeks ago, I launched a newsletter here that really has had a big impact on the blog today. It is another community of readers that is growing pretty strongly here, and the effect this has all had on the blog is really quite big. I want to try to encourage you to start a newsletter on your own blog as well.
First of all, your newsletter has to do with emails, meaning you send content out to anyone who subscribes with their email address. You can send out as much or as little content as you want, and doing this over time will grow your email list to a larger and larger audience.
A newsletter is for everyone. Anyone can do it, regardless of the niche you’re in. That’s what’s so great about them, as long as you can offer great content on a consistent basis, you can have a great newsletter. Maybe you’ll make money too, but that’s for another post.
The great thing about your newsletter is that it gets better every time you send out new content. So, one week you decide to send out an email to a list of 550 people, and from that time to the next week, your list will have a chance to grow into a bigger audience.
So that list of 550 may be a list of 580 the next week, 600 the next week and so on. This growing number of subscribers is how we see results on our blog.
After growing my own email list on this blog and sending out a few newsletter (plus a 10 day course written on my blog), I have noticed a few things different about the blog.
1. More Content, More (Deep) Traffic
I see my newsletter as an opportunity to give this new community of email readers some great content, as well as send some traffic back to the blog. Keep in mind, with a newsletter anyone who reads it will not be sent to your blog unless you send them there by linking to it.
If you caught a glimpse of what a newsletter here looks like, you will see that I link back to Blogussion quite a few times in the content area and other elements. This sends traffic back to the actual blog, and can convert those email subscribers into commentators, RSS subscribers, and maybe some will buy my product.
I have found that when you write content in a newsletter, any interlinking you do back to old posts will get clicked quite a bit, so long as you create some convincing anchor text.
2. A New Audience
An email list is basically a list full of people who have visited your blog and just happen to sign-up to get emails. Some are first-time visitors, and some can be your loyal fans. Either way, since you are speaking to them over a different medium of communication, I find that you are speaking to a whole new audience.
So, I figure if I have a new audience I want to try to speak to them in a whole other way. Yes, I will still be posting the most insightful content as possible in my newsletter, but I also want to try some new things too. Maybe some actual monetization strategies, since I don’t do it here.
A newsletter opens up a lot of opportunities, but none as important as what’s next.
3. Branding Opportunities
With this “new audience,” you have that chance to do new things; to do something different and build up this new audience in a different way than you do your blog. Not everyone who views your newsletter views your blog, so what should you do?
I personally think you should try to convert as many of your email subscribers into regular readers of your blog as you can. One great way to do that is by branding your newsletter. You can get a custom design for it, or just do something as simple as putting a logo at the top.
Get your site’s name up there, get a link to it and if you write a great enough newsletter, expect to see some of those newsletter subscribers at your blog in no time (maybe you’ll recognize their email address in a comment, I don’t know).
My Opinion on Newsletters
I think creating a mailing list for your blog is something you need to do today. With a service like Aweber, doing it is easy and managing it couldn’t be simpler.
As great as newsletters are, they also require a lot of work. Maybe you want to send out an “x day ecourse” like I did, or maybe you just want to send out content once a week. it doesn’t matter what you decide to do, but how you do it.
You can’t really expect to see positive results (increase in blog traffic, making money, etc.) if you just half-ass your newsletter. Instead, you will just be creating more work for yourself, and as always: getting nothing in return.
So while I believe newsletters are for every blog, I don’t think they’re for every blogger. Getting actual content up onto your blog is more important than getting it to your newsletter, so if you don’t think you can manage the two then I suggest you just don’t get into newsletters at all.
What’s Your Take?
Newsletters can be big for you, but they can also be a bust. So far, it has worked out for me and I hope to make it an even larger part of my blog in the near future. If you run a newsletter, what are some of the things you have noticed change in your blog as a result?
The Discussion
Leave a Comment Read Again?I’m one of your subscriber. Thanks Alex, I’ve been receiving useful tips over the emails.
I’m thinking of implementing a mailing list for my blog too. But before I decide to go for it, may I ask for your opinion?
I’ve seen most bloggers (and affiliate marketers as well) using AWeber and are recommending that service, but I’ve heard good things about MailChimp too. Some said that MailChimp has better HTML email template ready, is that true? I’m wondering that because I see most affiliate marketers that use AWeber simply send plain text emails with no custom designs at all.
I know it’s possible to have custom designs for AWeber (just like how you did) but it may require a lot more work than MailChimp? Please correct me.
By the way Alex, your “From Planning to Earning” series are great. I enjoyed reading them. Plus, I love your eye-catching email design. The coolest AWeber email I’ve received so far.
Glad you like it Kevin.
I always think a mailing list is a good idea, go for it. Really.
MailChimp definitely has better HTML templates, but the service in my opinion is not good. But, Aweber still has some pretty decent ones.
Creating templates are the same on both services, but again – MailChimp has better looking ones. But I still suggest you go with Aweber, just because the service is so much better.
Glad you like From Planning to Earning! I’m trying to keep it more consistent but am having a hard time right now since I’m out of state.
Oh great thanks for your advices. After reading your comment above, I know I should go with AWeber. Also, just recently I found out that MailChimp does not allow affiliate marketing use, as stated in their Terms of Use page.
Hey alex,
i think this is one of the most fabulous move to take.
As they always say, money is in the list.
however, i am yet to doing so. why? because I am still ‘contented’ with where i am standing and am working on other ways of making money online. However, that was when I was still fully concentrated working on affiliate marketing. I don’t necessary require newsletter and i have been able to make a decent amount online without it.
However, as i have my own blog, it figures this should eventually be one of my marketing strategies for it.
I have come to believe that managing a blog and affiliate marketing solely is 2 different entity.
anyway, keep up the good work,mate.
cheers
Definitely focus on those other things then. But, an email newsletter is just an amazing way to really generate some pretty good money and build your blog up so much more.
Hey Alex,
I think newsletters are a great way to create a relationship with your visitors. You constantly give value (for example every week). This strengthens your relationship with your list, and they trust you more.
I have a newsletter going out every week to my list, and I know I am building that all important relationship with them.
Kindest,
Nabeel
How else has it benefited your blog? asides from personal relationships.
Newsletters will definitely do good in giving your blog returning visitors, especially if you have failed to impress them the first time, you can regain their attention or bounce back with newsletters. Though I think this is only effective for huge blogs and blogs that are regularly updated (like yours Alex), in which new visitors (email audiences) can enjoy your showcased entries. Other than that, the process might not work if you have a short mailing list. So it’s still best to collect those emails directly from your blog.
I have been trying to run one for a while now but I never seem to be able to get it running. Nothing wrong with setting up the script, just running the newsletter something always seems to get in the way.
It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it. I mean, you don’t have to write a full featured article (I usually write 400-600) words, just something quick and short. The benefits are just too good man.
Alex:
Great information here about the benefits of a newsletter. I think the idea is great but unfortunately I have not created one for my users…yet. Maybe this post will give me the kick that I need to get started sending out a newsletter on a regular basis.
I want to make sure that I can create a nwesletter that really adds additional value to my subscribers.
I was also thinking about sending out a broadcast of the summary of my blog posts. What’s you thoughts on that?
- Rick
I hope it does, because they’re really beneficial! They’re fun to work with, and even though you need to invest a lot of time and work into them, the benefits are just so worth it.
That’s a good idea for sure, but I wouldn’t make it the primary content. I don’t know if you have seen the newsletter here but I do have summaries of each article posted during the week in a sidebar and it can bring in some traffic for sure.
Really great post Alex,
You are absolutely right.
A newsletter has so many benefits, even more benefits than a blog.
Thanks a lot for the great post,
-Onibalusi
Thanks for reading Oni, glad you agree!
Hey Alex,
What you’ve said makes perfect sense and has got me thinking about starting up a newsletter of my own for my sites. Thing is I’m not sure how to go about it! Maybe you should do a guide on it! What you use for creating a database of names and putting a newsletter together etc….
Just go here: Aweber.com and it will do everything for you (but you still have to write content lol).)
Hi Alex,
I can definitely see the power in newsletters. It’s another way to build a relationship with your readers.
I set up a link to my squeeze page and send a newsletter out through that list. In this way I capture their information in my backoffice and at the same time can provide them with a consistent flow of value.
Thanks for sharing your insight.
Ryan Biddulph
Do you think doing that has had a big impact on subscription rates?
I should get myself a newsreader then huh? I have actually been meaning to for sometime just been so lazy, after reading this post I shall look into it. Thanks
Heard alot about aweber, wanted to try but not yet having time, looking forward to use it though.
Newsletter is indeed very important.
Alex,
I’ve been considering starting a newsletter for some time now. I suppose I’m not sure what the best format would be. Should it be completely unique content not shown on our blog? How can I convert a popular newsletter into a profitable venture?
Also, on a side note, I am interested in establishing advertising relationships in order to generate revenue and grow the site. How does one go about actually entering into the profit generating world once a solid community and traffic has been established.
Lastly, I am signed up for your e-course, but where do I sign up for your newsletter?
Hi Alex, you made your point through this post, will definitely consider creating a newsletter for our readers. Cheers!
Hi Alex.
I totally agree, your blog will never reach its potential without a newsletter.
I use the G-lock plugin for wordpress. It is free and all self hosted. It automatically emails everyone on the mailing list each week (or whenever I set) with a digest of my latest posts.
It’s really handy because if I don’t have time to write a newsletter one week, it will “keep up appearences” for me. And I can still custom write my own newsletter when I do want to.
Ok so writing a unique post for each newsletter is better, but I think this is an awesome compromise.
What’s your opinion on sending out daily digest emails?
Some good points made in this post, its not something we currently do too much of but certainly thinking about it now
Newsletter currently still unpopular if you compare it with RSS, but I think it’s something needs to be prepared for all blogs right now.
I think I’m procrastinating on starting my newsletter because I’m just not sure how to format it, what to include, how often to send it and more.
It’s like a mystery I can’t quite figure out. I know I need one, but not sure what form it will take.
I did find your tips helpful though. I’m afraid I will just have to jump in and hope it evolves in a positive way.
I think I am now convinced to put send out a newsletter for my visitors. But my problem is, I do not know how to do it. I guess I have to search for some tutorials now. Any suggestions?
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Great Post.
I have been contemplating between using Aweber or G-Lock for a e-mail list. Aweber has a monthly fee, but G-lock is a one time charge. I will have to do some more research to make a final decision.
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