Many of you said you do not have a list b/c it will simply send them your posts.  Well create a special post just for your subscribers.  This will add value.  You can spend out a special post 2x a month or once a month.  How to achieve this.. write 1 more post a month and do not post it on your blog :-)

Good idea. I didn't think of that. I will definitely have to ponder this.

I have just created a dedicated form for subscribers. Hoping to build an email empire. I'm offering a free weekly personal finance email. I'm going to produce a short document, with all-new content, and hope to build a following.

I know I have said this before, but Daily Worth are the masters at list building. Check it out. All you see is email subscriber form.

I think the key is to solve a reader problem in some way. Give them a solution, or empower them. I also like Dereks offer of a free e-book, or even a giveaway with the only way of entereing being subscribing.

I've been reading a ton of posts about list building which prompted me to implement ideas from all over the web.  my site is a baby site with no visitors but some of you have some of you have a serious number of readers out there and aren't taking advantage of your opportunities to build your list.  If you need help, I can walk you through adding the following

 

1.  Add an opt-in in the middle of your about page

2.  Offer something to get sign ups (e-book) (Must set up a hidden download page in wordpress)

3.  Have a thank you for commenting page with another chance to sign up

4.  If you guest post offer a link to sign up along with a link to your website.

5.  Add a popup or light box for first time visitors (7 second delay) to sign up.

 

If any of you have tips for building a list please share them.

 

I have inrorporated the Free eBook idea and the "thank you for commenting". I think the eBook is the best tool out of all of these. For the first time visitor, it really gives them an incentive to subscribe and learn more about your site.

I also have a check box to 'recieve new posts as published' that basically sends them the RSS when ever a new post is up.

I've found that's a good way to send to the people who want it and not annoy those who visit already each day.

I've seen substantial traffic from the newsletters after offering the daily RSS.

mbhunter said:

Jeff @ said:11

I dont have a newsletter or email subscription.  Mainly because I dont know what to fill it with - I dont want to just say "this is what I posted this week" because people who would subscribe to the email list would check the site frequently anyway.

I just have a tip of the week as my staple for mine.  It's a bit like a mini-post.  It's delivered each Saturday.  I run mine in plain text so it looks the same for everyone.  A link to the subscription page is in my signature.

Interesting, this might be a decent way for me to finish up our Sustainability Tips series.  Thought it would take a few years ...

Maybe you can group your tips by topic and send them out using an auto-responder.

Jeff @ said:11

I dont have a newsletter or email subscription.  Mainly because I dont know what to fill it with - I dont want to just say "this is what I posted this week" because people who would subscribe to the email list would check the site frequently anyway.

 

I just have a tip of the week as my staple for mine.  It's a bit like a mini-post.  It's delivered each Saturday.  I run mine in plain text so it looks the same for everyone.  A link to the subscription page is in my signature.

Interesting, this might be a decent way for me to finish up our Sustainability Tips series.  Thought it would take a few years ...

I dont have a newsletter or email subscription.  Mainly because I dont know what to fill it with - I dont want to just say "this is what I posted this week" because people who would subscribe to the email list would check the site frequently anyway.

 

I just have a tip of the week as my staple for mine.  It's a bit like a mini-post.  It's delivered each Saturday.  I run mine in plain text so it looks the same for everyone.  A link to the subscription page is in my signature.

I dont have a newsletter or email subscription.  Mainly because I dont know what to fill it with - I dont want to just say "this is what I posted this week" because people who would subscribe to the email list would check the site frequently anyway.

 

Agreed. It is just one more thing to find time to manage.

1.  Add an opt-in in the middle of your about page

2.  Offer something to get sign ups (e-book) (Must set up a hidden download page in wordpress)

3.  Have a thank you for commenting page with another chance to sign up

4.  If you guest post offer a link to sign up along with a link to your website.

5.  Add a popup or light box for first time visitors (7 second delay) to sign up.

If any of you have tips for building a list please share them.