Do I Need an Email List?
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David
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November 30th, 2012
For many new bloggers and website owners, this is where one simple idea turns into something a little more complicated. Really, the only limits to this question come from you because any website could have a successful email marketing campaign.
You might be thinking that you're not a good candidate for email lists and all that fancy "real blogger" stuff. Why would people want to read news from you? Well, if you think that, why are you blogging in the first place?
Email lists are one of the best ways to create a deeper connection with your readership. First of all, they pick themselves. You're not shoving their digits into an email machine (please don't; it's illegal); they are.
What's the difference between a feed and an email list?
Essentially, there doesn't need to be a difference. Many bloggers opt to burn their feeds through Feedburner, but that doesn't have to be the be-all-end-all of their email list building. In fact, we recommend that it isn't.
Feedburner sends out simple updates to your readers according to their predetermined interests, but there is no ability to send custom emails regarding a specific topic or cause. You can only send out blog updates, like new posts. Instead, many of us opt for programs like Mail Chimp, which allows you to integrate your feed (even Feedburner) into your email campaigns. They look pretty, and you get to use that great list for something besides flinging out updates!
Why would I want an email list?
Well, this could be for any of a number of reasons. Whether your blog is small or enormous, an email list gives you a direct line of communication with your readers. Why would you want that? This is how you create a following. Email lists help you turn interested parties into paying clients.
Not blogging for money? Email lists are still useful! Let's say you're a food blogger, and you've set up your website to burn feeds through Feedburner. You're starting to get a few followers, and they're actually opening a fair chunk of those email updates.
Imagine if you need to make a huge change to your website, want to raise funds for a charitable cause, or arrange a contest. Smaller blogs might not need these capabilities right away, but having that built-in email list with active, engaged users helps you draw that connection between blogger and reader within an instant.
Plus, email lists can make you a better blogger!
How will you know what "sells" to your very specific readers if you aren't engaging with them? Consider it a version of A/B testing. You get statistical information about opens and clicks to see what works and what doesn't. Then, you can fine-tune your blog to match what your readers actuallywant.
You never really know just how useful an email list might be. Here's a good rule of thumb:
- If you're blogging for money or to create a community, you need an email list.
- If you're blogging solely for fun or don't want to connect with your readers, you don't have to.
Integrate your RSS feed to an email list program in just a few moments!