Now that you have the basics down of how to simply setup an email list, I will dive into some basic tips on how to attract people to your email list. First off, I will tell you one thing, people will not just give you their email address. I would hope you understand that already. So, if they don’t willingly hand it over to you, what do you have to give to get it. Just like any transaction in the world, you need to give something in order to get something in return. The question is, what exactly do you give that person? Let me see if I can help you out there.

1. Give away content

This is the most traditional way I have seen bloggers build up their email list. Content will get you plenty of email subscribers if you can provide high quality content that doesn’t rehash old content without giving any type of new spin on things. Content lists, I have found, are slower to build then any other ones, because it all depends on building off of your words. Sure, people may love reading stuff you write, but prying their email address out of their hands so that you can send them love letters all the time is much more difficult then you think.

However, if you have a strong following and a good amount of activity on your site, people will start to subscribe to your content. Consider adding pop-ups or banners about subscribing to an email list and give some benefits as to why they should. Also, make sure site look busier if you want more people to take it serious. You may have great content on your site, but if you don’t have any comments, people don’t think others are reading it and they likely won’t comment as well. Consider hiring some cheap help and get a bunch of comments for your latest blog posts.

2. Give extra benefits to your email subscribers

I mean, this is kinda a given when you sign up for an email list, but make sure your people know that when they sign up. Point out benefits, give out some secret tips or just tell them what they are missing by not being a part of your email list. You have to sell your email list in a very short period of time, like in a banner ad or pop-up. So do it. Tell them why they NEED to get on your list and what they will miss by not being on it.

3. Give away free stuff

I like this best because it is easy to do, builds your list fast and most of the time, it is cheap, especially when compared to the return you get. But what do you give away? More content is always a good thing! Here is what I mean.

For my one dieting site, it is targeted at people who need to start losing weight but they are having a hard time doing so. So, when they come to my site, my main purpose is to get them to sign up for my email list. However, that is not the main focal point of my site. The main focal point of the site is an ebook that I had written just for me on how to start dieting, which includes everything from changing your diet to changing your attitude. I mean, it covers it all. It is a book that adds real value to the site, and I give it away. But, I need your email so that I can send it to you. Bam, I got their email. It really is that simple. It just takes time and some initial investment and traffic, but it can be done easily.

Tailor the free gift to your audience of course. If like talking about site design, give away some exclusive templates. They don’t have to be killer ones, but make them good. The thing is you are pre-selling and building trust, so giving away something of real value will go a long way. People talk about things they get off the Internet, especially if it is a good value. Learn from that and build the trust of the people you are selling to. Remember, they are people just like you, so how would you be sold? What would make you sign up for an email list?

Just some things to think about here really on how to build the initial list. Now, I didn’t go into how to drive traffic or what to do once you get the email list rolling. That is for next time! Hope you enjoyed this simple but effective way to build your email list. I know it is nothing new or earth-shattering, but I hope you learned a few new things from the way that I look at things. Until next time!