Why Bloggers Need an Email List (And How to Start One)
Why Bloggers Need an Email List
An email list gives you direct access to your readers.
Email marketing delivers $36 for every $1 spent, making it the highest ROI marketing channel.
For bloggers, this translates to reliable traffic, stronger reader relationships, and the ability to turn content into income.[1][2]
You Own Your Audience
Social media platforms control who sees your posts through algorithms.
Your reach can drop overnight if the platform changes its rules.
Your account can be suspended without warning.
But with email, you own the relationship.
When someone subscribes, you have a direct line to them that no platform can take away.[3][4][5]
Email subscribers are three times more likely to share your content on social media than social followers are to engage with your posts.
Nearly 50% of consumers made a purchase directly from an email in the past year, showing email's direct impact on conversions.[4][2]
Direct Connection Means Better Results
Email creates real connection, not just followers.
When someone subscribes to your email list, they're saying "I want to hear from you".
This intentional action means they're more engaged than someone who casually taps follow on social media.[6]
The average email open rate across industries is 21.3%, with engagement rates reaching 36.5%.
Compare this to social media, where organic reach can be as low as 1%.
Email is opened by 88% of users multiple times a day, with 39% checking it 3-5 times daily.[7][8][9][10]
Build Traffic and Revenue
Email drives more traffic to your website than social media.
When you publish a new blog post and send it to your list, you get an immediate traffic boost.
Your subscribers click through, read, and interact with your content, sending positive signals to search engines.[11][12]
Email also helps you make money from your blog.
One common metric is that you should earn about $1 per subscriber per month. So a list of 1,000 subscribers could generate $1,000 monthly.
Automated emails drive 37% of all email-generated sales despite accounting for just 2% of email volume.[13][2]
Personalization Increases Engagement
Segmented email campaigns drive 30% more opens and 50% more clicks than unsegmented ones.
Personalized emails are opened 82% more than generic emails and can produce six times more transactions.
You can tailor messages based on subscriber interests, past behavior, or demographics.[12][14][1]
How to Start Your Email List
Starting an email list takes four steps: choose a platform, create a signup form, offer something valuable, and set up automated welcome emails.
Choose an Email Marketing Platform
Pick an email service that works for beginners. MailerLite is free for up to 1,000 subscribers and includes unlimited emails.
It has a simple drag-and-drop editor and built-in automation tools.
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is designed for bloggers and creators, making it easy to set up landing pages and automated sequences.[15][16][17]
Brevo offers a free plan for small daily email volumes.
Constant Contact provides 14-day trials and starts at $12 per month.
All these platforms handle the technical requirements like providing an unsubscribe link and storing subscriber data properly.[18][19][15]
Create Signup Forms
Place signup forms where readers can see them. Add a popup that appears when someone lands on your website.
Include an inline form in your blog posts, especially after the introduction or at the end.
Create a dedicated landing page with a unique URL you can share on social media.[20][21]
Keep forms simple. Ask for just an email address, or add a first name field for personalization.
Asking for too much information reduces signups. Make the value clear in your form copy.
"Get exclusive tips every week" works better than "Subscribe to our newsletter".[22][23]
Offer a Lead Magnet
Give people a reason to subscribe. A lead magnet is free content you exchange for an email address. Popular options include:[24]
- PDF guides or ebooks that solve a specific problem[21]
- Checklists or templates readers can use immediately[24]
- Free email courses delivered over several days[25]
- Exclusive access to articles or resources not available on your blog[21]
- Discount codes if you sell products[25]
Your lead magnet should provide quick value related to your blog topics. Make sure it addresses a real problem your readers have.
For a blog about personal finance, a budget template or debt payoff calculator works well.
For a food blog, a meal planning guide or recipe collection makes sense.[20][24]
Set Up Welcome Emails
Send your first email within 24 hours after someone subscribes. This keeps momentum going while you're fresh in their mind.
The first email should deliver the lead magnet you promised and tell subscribers what to expect next.[26]
Create a welcome sequence of 5-7 emails sent over 1-2 weeks.
This sequence introduces you, provides value, and guides subscribers toward your paid offers or most important content.
A typical sequence includes:[26]
- Deliver the promised freebie with download link[26]
- Introduce yourself and what readers will get from your emails[26]
- Share helpful content like your best blog posts[26]
- Offer tips or answer common questions related to your topic[26]
- Tell a story showing transformation or results[26]
Automated welcome sequences generate 30 times higher returns than one-off email campaigns.
One case study showed a quilting educator making 155 sales in 2024 just from an automated 6-email welcome sequence.[27][26]
Grow Your List Over Time
Promote your lead magnet on social media. Add a signup link to your email signature.
Mention your freebie in blog posts and link to the signup page. Run contests where entry requires an email signup.[28][29][30]
Guest post on other blogs in your niche and include a call to action linking to your signup page.
Partner with other bloggers for cross-promotion where you recommend each other's lists to your audiences.[29][22]
Send regular emails to keep subscribers engaged. Weekly emails keep you top-of-mind without overwhelming people.
Share your latest blog posts, helpful tips, personal stories, or curated content your audience will find useful.
The more value you provide, the more engaged your list stays.[31][6][26]
Avoid common mistakes like buying email lists, sending too many emails, or neglecting mobile optimization.
Focus on quality subscribers who genuinely want to hear from you.
Track metrics like open rates, click rates, and unsubscribe rates to improve your strategy over time.[23][32][31]
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