Without traffic, building an email list can be difficult – it’s the unfortunate truth. This cheat sheet was created for beginnings and potential bloggers.

In terms of list building, there are things that I was not aware of in the first few months of blogging.

However, by reading other blogs and doing in-depth research I am now aware of what it takes to build an email list – there is some hard work involved.

There are a few methods used to build an email list and drive traffic to your blog, they include:

Method One Building An Email List

Adding the email addresses of family, friends, and associates to your blog list without their consent. While this seems like a good idea, it’s not recommended.

You want an engaging audience on your list. An engaging audience will be active users of your website and support your campaigns.

However, the most important reason is you don’t want to be labeled as a spammer.

Solution

Let them know you have a blog and allow them to decide whether to subscribe to your blog or not subscribe to your blog.

Method Two Building An Email List

Buying an email list also seems like the easy way out, but it is also not recommended. Basically, the same reason noted above. You want an engaging audience on your list, plus if you are labeled as a spammer it could be costly – don’t take unnecessary risks.

Related Post: What Every Lifestyle Blogger Ought To Know

Solution

These are proactive actions you can use to drive traffic to your blog to build your list! These recommendations are totally legal!

Action 1:  Set Your Blog Up for Success

  1. Have a credible, professional-looking blog with quality content ready to be publicized.
  2. Create a fantastic freebie that is related to your content.
  3. Add that fantastic freebie within relating content and or on the sidebars of pages with relating content.
  4. Ensure that your content is shareable by adding share buttons.
  5. Choose a mail service to store emails. I recommend Mailchimp for new bloggers.

Action 2: Promote Your Content and Your Freebie

  1. Share your content everywhere you can.
  2. Add a YouTube video to content.
  3. Use Facebook Ads to drive traffic to your freebie.

Action 3: Network! Network! Network!

  1. Network with other bloggers by seeking collaborations with bloggers who create similar content.
  2. Seek guest post opportunities on similar blogs.

Action 4: Pay It Forward

  1. Support other bloggers when you can (“Pay it forward”). It’s an amazing thing to do, and you just never know when you will be the one needing help.
  2. Get busy in the blogging community by reading other blogger’s content and leaving meaningful, genuine comments.
  3. Share other Bloggers’ content! If you read a blog post, and you loved it, then share it! After all, I know you will appreciate it when other bloggers share your content.

These actions used together are guaranteed to drive traffic to your blog that will enable you to build your list. Increasing traffic to your blog and building a list is hard work, but in the long run, you will appreciate the results.

Related Post: 5 Solid Reasons College Students Should Start A Blog in College

Bonus

Before you send your first email ensure your email is not in violation of the CAN-SPAM Act. According to FTC each separate email in violation of the CAN-SPAM Act is subject to penalties of up to $40,654 for non-compliance.

Here’s a list of CAN-SPAM’s main requirements:

  • Don’t use false or misleading header information.
  • Don’t use deceptive subject lines.
  • Identify the message as an ad.
  • Tell recipients where you’re located.
  • Tell recipients how to opt out of receiving future email from you.
  • Honor opt-out requests promptly.
  • Monitor what others are doing on your behalf.

For a comprehensive and thorough explanation of each rule and more on the subject in general, visit the FTC website or Google “CAN-SPAM Act”.