My best friend once told me that I was rebel. I was perplexed – my face immediately twisted up when she said that because I had always prided myself in being a “good girl” – for the most part of my life, anyway.
When I asked her why she said that, she explained that it was because I always went against the grain – I always challenged everything until I was proven wrong. I never just accepted rules.
Of course, now that I’m older I totally understand why she said that. She was totally right.
Many times my rebellion works to my advantage, but there are times when it fails.
When I first started blogging, everything of authority that I read, insisted on building a list early on. Of course, me being the rebel that I am, I totally ignored that brilliant piece of advice. Don’t get me wrong, I had a subscriber form on my blog – but I didn’t promote it.
There weren’t any subscriber incentives – I didn’t give my readers a good enough reason to subscribe.
Then, when I finally started building my list, I made the mistake of not making contact in a timely fashion. I just didn’t think I had the time to create additional content for a newsletter. (I guess you could say I am a stubborn rebel.)
I’ve learned the hard way. When I finally realized the err of my ways, I learned quickly how to build an email list fast.
Here’s what works:
Giveaways and prize drawing -
It has to be something good, go beyond free ebooks. Drawings for gift cards or Paypal funds are very effective. Announce a deadline for drawing entries and then randomly choose a winner.
Guest posting -
Of course, there are tons of other benefits to guest posting besides building your list – but you could experience a quick increase in your subscribers if you just add your email list link to your author bio.
Tweet your newsletters -
I use Mailchimp – a free, but truly awesome service. It allows me to tweet a link to a copy of the email that I send my subscribers. It’s a great way to capture extra subscribers who might’ve otherwise missed out.
Offer subscriber only benefits -
I started a “Get Featured” campaign that invited my subscribers to send me a link to their best posts. The response to that campaign was outstanding. If you want people to join your list, you need to be ready to offer them something of value.
I’m a subscriber of Pat Flynn‘s newsletter, and he has sent me some of the best tips via email. They were great tips that were unique that I hadn’t thought of – so great, that I implemented them immediately and experienced amazing results. Your subscribers want to get in on insider tips, they want to know what you do to succeed – so be sure to share that information with them. Subscriber-only discounts for products work well, too.
Write a post for your blog-
Write a post that announces the opening of your list and that highlights those subscriber only benefits. Create an eye-catching title – avoid “Join my newsletter,” which is an immediate turn off. Instead try to focus on one of the benefits in your title and be creative. My post: Get featured on WeBlogBetter attracted new subscribers because I offered my readers an opportunity to have their work showcased on my blog.
Be sure to promote the post. Share a link to the post with members of forums you actively participate in – kindly ask them to retweet the post for you. Spice up your tweets to make them irresistible to click on. I spiced up my tweets by adding trigger words: “Get more exposure to your blog – get featured…”
Interact-
Get the attention of potential subscribers by interacting with them on social networks. Let them know about your email list. Encourage them to join – of course you should also become a part of their communities as well, it shouldn’t be a one-sided deal.
Participate in an email list swap -
Trade lists on your favorite forum or Google group. Reciprocate to everyone who joins the list by subscribing to theirs in return.
Focus on Quality -
Consistently produce quality content on your blog and people will be naturally inspired to subscribe.
Then once you’ve built your list, don’t make the mistakes that I made – immediately and consistently make contact with your subscribers. Set up auto-responders to greet new subscribers. Create a schedule and stick to it. Mailchimp also enables you to schedule messages in advance, so you have no excuse.
What email list building tips could we add here?
While you’re here, if you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to the email list on this site. 
Kiesha is the author of We Blog Better and Christian Blog: Highly Favored. She’s a technical Writer, former writing instructor, and blogging consultant for small business owners. If you’d like to know more, read her extended bio. Connect with her on Twitter, Google and subscribe to her newsletter for blogging tips & tricks.
Hey Kiesha,
Awesome post.. I think Freebie and guest posting are fast ways to build mailing list and i really like the idea of “Write a post for your blog-”. Great Post kiesha.. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for sharing this great Post.
~Dev
Dev | Technshare´s last [type] ..How To Determine If Your Chosen Blogging Niche Is Right For You
Hi Dev!
Yes, those are the quickest ways – but it definitely helps when you can find other creative methods, too.
Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last [type] ..The Simplest Guest Post Contest II – Update!
Great tips on email marketing! I’ve just begun building my email list and this will help me out greatly. I definitely want to focus on the quality as well as add value as I think these is the most important things to building customer loyalty.
Anna
Anna Haller´s last [type] ..Are you alone?
Hi Anna!
Thanks for stopping by! Glad I could help. Yes, definitely, the more quality you can bring to your readers the happier they will be and happiness spreads
Kiesha @ WeBlogBetter´s last [type] ..The Simplest Guest Post Contest II – Update!
I always get great tips when I come here.
Thanks for the tips, Kiesha and Brandon.
It’s funny, I’ve just started a “fast email list building challenge” (…try to say that with a mouth full of cake…) and am looking into ways to really increase my subscriber list quickly.
Great timing.
Reach new heights,
Nathan
Nathan Rufus´s last [type] ..The 60 Day Challenge…
Hi Nathan!
Good luck with your challenge! Who knows… you just might get 2000 subscribers in 60 days! Keep us posted!
Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last [type] ..The Simplest Guest Post Contest II – Update!
Interesting ideas. How do you feel about using pop-ups for people to sign up to your mailing list?
Hi James,
As far as pop-ups go – I’m just not comfortable using them on my blog. I personally find them irritating and I don’t want to irritate my readers.
With that said, though, many people have had success with them. They do make the reader pause and make a choice – either click off the site, never to return – or subscribe. I don’t like those odds.
Have you ever been irritated by a pop-up? How did you respond?
Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last [type] ..The Simplest Guest Post Contest II – Update!
Hi Keisha,
). Now I just need to get my ideas for exclusive content going on, and figure out new ways to get ppl to subscribe. I will be reading this again to see what nuggets I can glean for ideas to expand my list. Thanks for sharing this!
I am glad I am following most of these. I posted about my freebie offer when it went up, I am having a contest starting Monday (as you know
Gurl´s last [type] ..My 15 Favorite Posts For June
Hi Gurl,
Good luck with your contest! Just be as creative as you can be!
And you’re always welcome to guest post on my blog – my contest is still going – June 30th’s the deadline!
Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last [type] ..Content Structure: The 5 Parts of Engaging Blog Posts
Thanks Keisha! I am so looking forward to it. And thanks for the guest post invite…I am honored
I don’t think I will have one to you in five days, but will drum up something soon.
Another great article Keisha, I too use and love Mailchimp and started very late in the Mailing Subscriber List game, my problem is I want to do at least biweekly to monthly updates but finding the time to craft a quality newsletter is very difficult. I also don’ t want to just spew the same content on my blogs, so it is like writing a unique post except more formatting, link embedding..etc is required.
Justin Germino´s last [type] ..Create Clean Title Tag for your WordPress Posts
Hi Justin,
)
Yeah, there’s only so much time in a day and it’s hard enough to keep up with Blog posts. I’ve developed a system that makes it easy for me to at least touch basis with readers every week – nothing super in-depth, but sending out announcements about the community spotlight series gives me a way to at least let subscribers know I’m thinking about them. That at the very least keeps my blog fresh in their minds. (I hope…
Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last [type] ..Content Structure: The 5 Parts of Engaging Blog Posts
I realized I misspelled your name, my apologies.
Justin Germino´s last [type] ..Create Clean Title Tag for your WordPress Posts
No worries – I’m used to it!
There’s just too many ways to spell those two sylabols.
Kiesha @ WeBlogBetter´s last [type] ..The Simplest Guest Post Contest II – Update!
A tip that I consistently use is article writing. These become permanent parts of the internet, free for anyone else to publish on their own blogs or ezines.
Articles offer 4 ways to get business:
1. Direct sales from the article to your sales page.
2. List-building directly from the article.
3. Builds your credibilty
4. Re-published articles allow you to reach a wide base of clients.
This is how I started my business and approximately 800+ articles later, they still bring me daily traffic.
-Joshua Black
The Underdog Millionaire
Joshua Black | The Underdog Millionaire´s last [type] ..Donald Trump’s Personal Small Business Tip Whispered to My Friend
Hi Joshua-
That is amazing progress! Thanks for sharing.
Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last [type] ..The Simplest Guest Post Contest II – Update!
Kiesha,
Excellent tips on newsletter promotion. I haven’t had no subscribers yet but my blog is still in its infancy and I still have a lot of accomplish.
Ryan Hanzel´s last [type] ..Response cached until Fri 25 @ 20:15 GMT (Refreshes in 42 Minutes)
Hi Ryan,
Don’t get discouraged – it takes time. Put these tips into action as much as possible and then just be patient – before you know it things will speed up right before your very eyes.
Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last [type] ..The Simplest Guest Post Contest II – Update!
Nice post. Here is another tip.
Make videos about your targeted keywords and submit to video sites. Include the link to your squeeze page at the end of the video. You could also have your link at the bottom of video so your viewers will see it the entire time they’re watching the video.
Make sure to make the link short and memorable as possible and capitalize each word i.e.; YourDomainName.com.
That is a great tip! Thanks for sharing.
Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last [type] ..The #1 Secret to Getting the Most out of Social Media
Hey Keisha,
Thanks for the post, so much useful information here. I particularly like the tip you gave about giving a benefit to the subscriber like getting featured on the blog. Never thought of that route before!
p.s, your blog looks great too, so original.
Bailey
Bailey Ing´s last [type] ..What To Do When Self Doubt Rears It’s Ugly Head
Hi Bailey,
I didn’t realize how much people would enjoy it until I tried it.
Thanks for your compliments and thanks for stopping by!
Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last [type] ..Understanding your Shape
I haven’t been commenting as much as I should and when I found this guest post by you I just had to leave something good here.
I say that because I too use Mailchimp and enjoy building my list so far. I also didn’t see the point in doing so at first but then got an idea for a free ebook with a bonus video at the end to spice things up a bit.
Look out for something interesting I’ll be doing (literally saying it here first) on Monday on my blog for members of Pop News only and why you absolutely want to be in the know of things if you’re not already.
Just wait until Monday, you’ll see why.
So that I don’t end this with promoting my list though, I like the giveaway idea you have here… People love getting involved when they receive other stuff than just the usual… Get creative and you’ll win ‘em.
Great post here!
Eric´s last [type] ..Get To Know Me Better: Ask Me Any 2 Questions You Want
Hi Eric,
No worries. Now you’ve got me curious – I’ll definitely be on the look out. I’ve added my name to your mailchimp list 
Inquiring minds want to know… 
I definitely know how busy things can get
Kiesha @ We Blog Better´s last [type] ..The Simplest Guest Post Contest II – Update!
Hey Kiesha,
Really great post, you shared a ton of tips with us, thanks for that.
I had never heard of mail chimp so I will give that a try.
Viral ebooks are an outstanding way to build your list especially if you allow them to branded, people love having the opportunity to have their name, a link to their site and an affiliate link included too.
Create an ebook that’s viral and your list basically skyrockets out of control, all on autopilot.
Sally
Sally´s last [type] ..Is Social Media FAB or a FAD?
Hi Kiesha
Some awesome tips here. I also subscribe to Pat’s list and youre right, he has sent some pretty awesome tips to his list, ones, like you, I have implemented and theyve worked!
I think its also worthy to note that you shouldnt overdo the email to your list, there have been some lists that I’ve subscribed to only to get 6-7 emails a week from them. I unsubscribe quickly. I believe quality is far more important that quantity – pretty much in everything.
I’m off to join YOUR list now..!!
Cheers,
Chris
People won’t just subscribe to you for no reason. It’s like trying to fix a dent in your car, when there is no dent. You need a reason. Giving things away like eBooks is a great way to do so, as you said. Great post!