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How do you expect to build a relationship with your audience, if you can’t contact them?
I think we both agree that it’s difficult to build relationships without communication. That’s why every content creator needs to start their own e-mail list.
E-mail allows you to reach out to your audience. And demonstrate your value.
If you do the work, you can expect 4 benefits from building an email list:
- Establish Brand Credibility
- Distribute Original Content
- Crowdsource Ideas
- Monetize Content
Why Build An Email List?
Many content creators think having killer content is enough. It isn’t.
If you plan to build a tribe of raving fans. You need to give people time to get to know you.
This isn’t rocket science. Start by writing e-mails that personalize your brand.
1. Establish Trust and Credibility
Every reader is not ready to purchase a product at first glance. They may be interested, but want more information before spending money. This is the perfect scenario for e-mail.
After you gain a new e-mail subscriber, you must send them an automated e-mail sequence. The purpose of this sequence is to turn a cold reader into a die hard fan.
How do you accomplish this?
You overcome the reader’s objections. And prove that you have the solutions to their problems.
In the process, you will build relationships and establish yourself as an authority in your niche.
2. Own Your Content Distribution
You can spend months building a social media presence only to have your account frozen or deleted. If that happens, you will potentially lose all your followers. And you’ll lose any income you were making from those followers.
To prevent this, it makes sense to convert as many people as you can to e-mail subscribers. Your e-mail subscribers belong to you. And you can take them to whatever platform you want.
Feel free to switch from Twitter to Instagram to YouTube without losing your audience.
3. Crowd-source Ideas
Your e-mail list is the perfect market segment to test ideas on because it consists of loyal fans. These fans will provide feedback on new info products or blog posts. All you need to do is reach out to them.
Once you’ve built an e-mail list, you’ll have the ability to study your audience and predict what they need.
4. Monetize Content
E-mail gives you the perfect platform to sell your info products.
Many content creators have figured out that people don’t like to make purchase decisions while browsing the internet. To bypass this objection, you need to get your content in their inbox. Once you’re there, you have isolated your customer and gained their full attention.
With this attention, you can describe the benefits of your product and explain how it solves problems. If your e-mails are good, your audience will throw money at you to get your product.
Software Options For Your E-Mail List
You’ll need an e-mail service to send e-mails to your audience. I’d recommend three options.
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is free for the first 2,000 subscribers. It gives you an opportunity to get your feet wet with e-mail marketing software. It is also the cheapest option, if you decide to upgrade to a paid subscription.
The downside of mailchimp is that it does not have a landing page builder. A great landing page can help you convert more people to e-mail subscribers. If you need this feature, I’d move on to the next option.
ConvertKit
ConvertKit is a great option for bloggers and content creators. It is free up to 1,000 subscribers and comes with an unlimited landing page builder. Where ConvertKit falls short, is it lacks the ability to do webinars and marketing campaigns. Also, the monthly fee is higher than my third option once you hit 1,000 subscribers.
Not everyone needs the ability to do detailed marketing campaigns and webinars. If you want this ability, move on to the next option.
GetResponse
GetResponse is an awesome option for anyone creating info products. It comes with a landing page and form builder. Also, the plus subscription allows you to conduct webinars to educate subscribers on the benefits of your product.
Another benefit GetResponse provides is an e-mail marketing course. This course helps educate the novice on the best strategies to convert your readers into customers.
Never forget that an email list is an asset you own. Use it to grow your brand and build a business.
It’s never too early to start
It’s OK if you don’t have a large following. Start building your e-mail list from day one. It’s never too early to start a conversation with likeminded people.
If you don’t know where to start, use the software I use. Sign up with GetResponse.
Start your free 14 day trial here.
If you want to know how I send e-mails, subscribe to my e-mail list. I’ll send you weekly insights to help you hustle smarter.
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