If you’re a blogger planning to make your blogging business a full time gig one day then you NEED to get into email marketing. There is no question about it. Having an email list is one of the most effective ways to connect with your readers on a deeper level and will allow you to get your content in front of more people, more often.
You can spend all your time creating amazing content but if you can’t get people to see it and come back to your blog then what good is it doing your business?
If someone is trusting you enough to provide you their email in exchange for something, it’s important that you deliver on your promise. Skip the spam emails and provide value. Here are three things you can share with your email list regularly.
What Should I Send to My Email List?
Alright, so you understand the why behind having an email list and building a community through the content you create and the people you serve. What now? Here are a few ideas of what to send to your email list.
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1. Share your latest blog post or a weekly roundup of recent posts
Share a weekly or monthly roundup of what has been happening on your blog and what your readers may have missed. If you don’t post blog content on a consistent schedule, your readers may not know when you have published new content! Curate a list of your latest blog posts and share with your email list. Don’t assume that your readers are visiting your blog everyday to see if you have new content – remind them that you’ve just added new posts that they might enjoy.
2. Provide inspiration or valuable curated content
Provide content that is exclusive to your email list this way your readers have an incentive to remain on your list. If you are having a creative block and but you don’t want to skip out on an opportunity to connect with your email list, send out inspirational content that you’re loving lately.
You can share some content from other creators that you’ve been enjoying, the latest updates in your niche that your audience might find useful. Some of my favorite emails that I get from other bloggers are roundups of things that they have recently
3. Share your affiliate links and offers
You can share valuable offers and sales that you know your audience will appreciate! For example, if you’re a mommy blogger, you can share the latest sales from kids clothing stores to your email list and even offer a discount code if you have one.
If you’re a home decor blogger, share your latest bargain finds on decor items. This is a great way to share your affiliate links with your email list!
Remember to be genuine with the information you share and promote things that you would purchase with your own money. Don’t forget to include your affiliate disclaimer in your emails to let your readers know that you may earn commission if they make a purchase. It doesn’t cost them anything but it’s great to be transparent.
4. Share a personal story or experience
There is no better way to get to know someone than to open up and share something personal. Let you audience know about what inspired you to do what you do or what motivates you to get up every morning. We are all human and finding ways in which we are similar helps us to create stronger connections with people.
Struggling to get your toddler to sleep? I’m certain you’re not the only one. Having a hard time juggling work and home life during this global pandemic? Same, friend, same. Don’t be afraid to talk to your email list like the friends that they are to you.
5. Free printables, downloads, worksheets and other helpful resources
Depending on your niche, it might be incredibly helpful to provide your readers with resources they can make use of in their own lives. For example, if you blog about financing and budgeting for millennials, why not provide them a monthly budgeting worksheet?
If your blog caters to stay at home moms with young children, you can come up with activities that toddlers can do independently. This can help busy moms score a few extra minutes to load the laundry or put dinner in the oven.
CJ from With Love CJ offers free inspirational quotes that her readers can print and frame for decor around the house. This is great for decorating on a budget or adding some new pieces to plain walls. Get creative and come up with a great yet simple ways to provide the people that trust you with value!
Recap of the things you should be sharing with your email list regularly
You should regularly do an audit of the content you are sending out to your email list and what they are resonating with most. Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, listen to your audience and give them what they want.
As you get more comfortable writing regular emails to your list, you will get to know your people and learn to serve them in the best way possible.
When in doubt, stick to what works. When you’re ready to start growing your email list and serving your readers, there are five emails you should be sending to your list:
- Weekly or monthly blog post roundup or your most recent post
- Inspiration or valuable curated content from other creators
- Share your affiliate links
- Get personal by sharing a story or experience
- Free resources such as printables, downloads and worksheets
Summer | The Sunshine Suitcase Blog says
Wow! These are fantastic tips, Jo! I really need to utilize my email list but often feel very intimidated by it. These are stellar tips and I am excited to have a little more direction with my list going forward!
joannbiyani says
I’m so happy you found this helpful, Summer! I still feel intimidated with my email list as well but I find that when I write my email newsletter as if I am speaking to a friend, it makes a huge different.
I need to take my email list serious this year. Loved all the ideas. Pinning it for later use. Thanks for sharing!
Me too! It’s so easy to neglect our email lists but they are so important for our blogs. I hope you try some of these out for your newsletters. Good luck! 🙂
Great tips! I definitely need to do this with my blog!
I’m so glad you found these tips helpful, Erin! I was slacking on my email list for my blog as well.