What Type of Subscribers Do You Need?

Many bloggers think they need to build their subscriber list. It’s true, but what type of subscribers do you need—blog post or email subscribers?

That may seem like a silly question to you. After all, you need and want subscribers to your posts, right? Indeed, you do. These subscribers get notified each time you publish a post, and then they (hopefully) show up on your site to read what you’ve published. However, you also need subscribers to your email list, and these subscribers can prove more important and beneficial in the long run.

Although I wrote about this topic previously and offered a list of reasons you need a mailing list, I want to revisit it. I think building an email list is essential if you want to succeed as a blogger and an author. Also, more often than not, I see newbie bloggers (and writers developing author websites) creating blogs with only a way for visitors to subscribe to posts. They have not provided a a call to action that provides a free item to entice visitors onto an email list. That’s a huge mistake.

6 Reasons You Need Email Subscribers

Here are six reasons why email subscribers are more important—or more beneficial—than blog post subscribers.

1. People who subscribe to your email list have asked you to contact them. They haven’t asked just to have blog posts delivered to their email box. That means you can, indeed, write to them. Technically, you cannot write to your blog subscribers.
2. The people on your email list have given you permission to provide them with additional information—on anything. They want you to send them emails filled with additional valuable information—not just blog posts—as well as offers and news. That means you can tell them about your new book release or course launch—and ask them to purchase or register.
3. Email subscribers provide you with an ATM. Put the beneficial or valuable information they need and want into emails or autoresponders, and get money in return. As mentioned in this post, many online marketers call their email list a “license to print money.” While you don’t want to sell to your list all the time, you can, indeed, sell when you like.
4. Every email subscriber brings you closer to success. While a large email list alone can land you a book deal, it also can help you sell many copies of your book. Professional bloggers claim they sell little of anything from blog posts but lots of everything from their mailing list. Until you have a large list, you may struggle to fill your courses, launch bestsellers, or gain the attention of other successful bloggers and online marketers.
5. A large list of email subscribers helps you get joint-venture projects and affiliate offers. Successful bloggers and online marketer want to work with others who are successful. In this case, success equates to a large email list. If you have one, they will be happy to promote you to their audience and have you promote them to yours.
6. An email list keeps you in touch with your readers. If you aren’t getting engagement on your blog, or if you simply want to get some feedback from your blog or book readers, an email does the trick. Your email list is your connection, your link, to those who love your work. As such, it’s your lifeline.

I’m not saying not to build a list of blog post subscribers. That’s a great thing to do as well. Consider, however, also getting them on your mailing list, or getting blog post and email subscribers all on the same list. The latter strategy gives you the opportunity to send them posts but also to contact them at will.

Don’t Forget the Call to Action

I mentioned above that you need a call to action. Don’t forget this! No one wants to sign up for a newsletter any more. A “valuable weekly (or monthly) newsletter) simply is not enough of an enticement to get people onto your list. They are too busy to read more! Instead, provide a free ebook, course, resource list, or checklist. Deliver this to them automatically (via your email marketing system) as soon as they subscribe. And use the free item to get them to subscribe to your email list.

Be sure you offer something highly valuable that your readers want and need. A good call to action will bring in subscribers daily—without any effort on your part. Make sure your Call to action is in a prominent place, typically the upper right side or your home page (and on every page). Some bloggers use a “pop up” that appears after a few minutes or when someone acts like they are leaving the site.

Look at some popular blogs or websites. You’ll easily find their calls to action. Model yours on one you like. (And see how many email lists you end up on in the process!)

Can you think of more reasons to build a mailing list? If so, add it in a comment.