Comment posted on Why All Your Make Money Blogging Efforts Will Fail Without This by Linda @talktherapybiz.com
Thanks for reminding us that without a list of email subscribers, you really don’t have a chance to succeed at blogging/making $ online.
I have a nice giveaway (eBook), that I need to promote more. At present, the only places it’s featured is prominently in side bar, and nav bar.
I’m also guilty of not being proactive in terms of sending out monthly newsletters…I will get out my schedule and do this immediately.
Next newsletter going out Wednesday 2/16/11.
Thanks for them tips, Ana!
Recent comments by Linda @talktherapybiz.com
- Blog Audit Friday: Lend a Helping Hand to Traffic Generation Cafe
Hi Ana-Now you know, I have next-to-no SEO, web design, and tech creds-I am the OGL (Original Gangsta Luddite).
Pls keep in mind, I’m looking at your blog from a psychological POV, or someone who is “always in the wrong class,” and not necessarily trying to fit in (I’m quite comfortable in my little therapist skin) but to understand this other world.
First impressions:
~Love the look, the header, the coolness, and the blue and red. Somehow, this color scheme could construe cold and aloof, but not here.
~The header pic: I always assumed it was you, altho u look somewhat different in various profile pics, and on video. But then yesterday, I saw someone on Twitter w/the same gravatar. Hmmmm..did they jack Ana? Maybe she’s gaming us? Regardless, it totally works, and ur beautiful, so who really cares if it’s you or not. So, is it you…?:).
~Engagability: I don’t know too many other A-listers who commit to answering comments, sincerely helping, offering the awesome Blog Audit Fridays and broadcasts. I think ur in a class by yourself, here. Hope it lasts, but if not, I’m not mad ‘atcha.
~Personality. I was really watching your first Sunday Coffee broadcast (or first for me anyway) from a therapist’s POV. B/c I didn’t know much of you then, I thought “let me just sit back and watch her in action. How do I feel in her presence. How does she engage? Is she sincere? Why is she doing this for free?”
I was looking for something ‘salesy’ but didn’t find it. Then ur beautiful daughter came in, and you were so calm as she interrupted (in a very age-appropriate manner;)), and you won me over b/c it takes a lot of grace and poise to conduct business and calmly explain to your child that “mommy is working.”
~Authenticity: which I have to say is a mainstay for the psychotherapy profession, and hugely pre-dates the blogosphere. Love the honesty, and the no b.s approach. You remind me of Naomi Dunford of ittybiz on that front, and I really value it.
~Cred-the numbers speak for themselves, and you can’t fake that funk, baby.In a nutshell, those are characteristics I look for when choosing to spend my limited emotional energy, and sorry that I couldn’t find any tech problems, but for me, that’s not as important as other stuff.
So there you go, my 1/2 ass-psychological audit of your blog.
Keep on rockin’ the traffic generation!
~Linda - How to Track and Manage Your Traffic Generation Efforts
Thanks for the valuable info for traffic generation, Val.I like the simplicity of:
-Ideas
-Actions
_VisitorsAlso like Ana’s idea to get a columnist gig, as well as her list of 202 things to help your blog-there are a lot of creative ideas, and I just tried one which resulted in traffic generation…
I tend to go with what’s working for others, too. Why reinvent the wheel when the car only needs four to run smoothly, right?
- How To Write Titles With Teeth
Hi James-How do you know if your audience is weird….?;).
Great list of 100 Headlines. I recently read that it’s useful to pair a negative subject with a positive outcome, and vice-versa.
I’m also guilty of spending a lot of time online when seduced by a killer title. Guess I’m in good company.
- Sunday Coffee with Ana: Start Engaging Others or No SEO Will Help
Thanks for the honesty, directness, and for calling out your subscibers, Ana.I have learned so much about SE0 in the short time I’ve been visiting Traffic Generation Cafe.
I don’t know if it’s a coincidence, but my traffic has been greater. Must be the SE0 tips and Sunday Coffee’s
.Hope the vacation is a restful one!
- How Ana Got Her Twitter Groove Back
I wish you could invade my brain for a day.OK-I’m gonna try this one. I know you suggested 5, but since I’m a double-nicher, I’ll start with 2.
Hope you’re skiing with your family, Ana:).
Thanks for another awesome traffic generation tip.
powered by SEO Super Comments
I am a wife to a great husband of 13 years (here ya go, now I have to make changes to this sentence once a year), a mother to a beautiful and, no doubt, genius little girl, and a successful internet entrepreneur. I also devoted my life to Jesus Christ many years ago, and He remains my true priority, focus, and hope.
{ 52 comments }
I actually have not started with List building yet and to tell you honestly I don’t know where to start. Please help! Thanks!
Emily from Video Avatar´s last blog ..Using Avatars in the Enterprise
OMG I can’t believe the percentages of people who haven’t build a list yet. What’s with all the talk about list building and not everyone doing it? Hmm, food for thought I guess. But anyway, I don’t belong to the category of my list growing in leaps and bounds. Just wish it had grown faster. Now that MBP is here, I’m seriously considering it.
Bryan@Work From Home´s last blog ..Premium Squeeze Page Templates – An Alternative to OptimizePress
I know - isn’t it incredible? We know to do it, yet we don’t..
Let’s see if we can change that in the next couple of weeks.
Tweeted! I’ll blog it too.
Dennis Edell @ Direct Sales Marketing´s last blog ..73 Posts Published – Have I Seen Your Smile On All Of Them
Thanks, darling, much appreciated!
Hi Ana, I am yet to start my list building campaign and I think it is very important that I should start it ASAP if I want to make money blogging. Thanks for the tips.
Sathish @ TechieMania´s last blog ..Are You Attracting The Right Customers
Now that you are convinced you need a list, Sathish, all you need to do is START!
Ana´s last blog ..Got Traffic So What
Hi Anna!!!
Found you on twitter and I LOVE the solid advice you’re giving bloggers. I’m a SAHM and I’m desperate to provide some income in this “lovely” economy. I have a lot of expertise in things Natural/Organic/Holistic and I’m trying to capitalize on that. I think I found my niche, with my natural parenting blog…but I need to stand out from the crowd. I’m going to continue reading your amazing posts and tweets for assistance in the growth of my business!!
Have a wonderful day, Anna!
Jessica @ Cloth diapering mama .com´s last blog ..This Year in “Love”…
Glad you got to my blog, Jessica - I can definitely share lots of goodies to help you with your business. Stay tuned!
Ana´s last blog ..Got Traffic So What
Hi Ana,
This is a great idea. You’re so right, without a list you have no business! So, this will help a lot of marketers who are struggling with growing their lists.
My list building efforts improved when I started offering my own product and when I started using the Subscribers Magnet plugin.
All the best,
Mavis
P.S. You have a lot of catching up with replying to comments on your blog, Ana
Mavis Nong @ Attraction Marketing´s last blog ..Is Your Blog Repelling or Attracting Visitors It’s Time For Reality Check…
My next post is all about Subscribers Magnet, Mavis
- I love it that much!
Yes, I have about 120 comments to answer as of right now - vacation is a painful thing to do when you run your own business.
any possibility to have subscribers magnet on other platforms (not only wordpress)?
))
Elena´s last blog ..Ricettina con gli oli essenziali per San Valentino!
Sorry, hon - it’s only for WP. Time to migrate to Wordpress?
Hi Ana
Just did the survey and look forward to some helpful hints in getting the list growing faster than what it is. Have only been list building a short time and so far no-one has opted out so those who have signed up must like the information I am providing. However not enough people signing up to maike a huge difference to my fledgling business.
Patricia Perth Australia
Patricia@lavender oil´s last blog ..Collaboration- the new buzz word
We all had a fledgling business at one point or another, Patricia.
Sounds like I stuck a painful cord with many bloggers, so I will definitely run with the topic of list building and try to help as much as I can.
I have to admit. I began 3 days ago
))) and put the opt in forms on my sites. And must say: it works. I have seen people signing in from the first day…But I think the real “mastery” is how to use what you write: I have subscribed to some newsletters that are absolutely “unreadable”…people writing long long letters…maybe they think we have two hours a day only to read them.
I think: don’t spam, don’t exaggerate…and it will works.
Elena´s last blog ..Ricettina con gli oli essenziali per San Valentino!
Very good point, Elena - getting subscribers is half the battle.
KEEPING them by providing them with beneficial information is the key.
I am trying to be a part time professional blogger! By that I mean I have a real world business and am also building an on line business since it interests me. This has resulted in a few blogs as of now.
And on one of those (not the one that I have mentioned here) I am trying to build a list. In the last year and a half I have been able to build a list of about 2000 subscribers on it (that is why I ticked the option - List isn’t growing as fast I’d like it to) and I send out one message every week. On second thoughts, I think I should be satisfied with the pace of list building on that blog because the traffic is not very high on it. But that brings me to the next issue - that of the responsiveness.
Some place I read that with a list you should be able to make a dollar per subscriber per month, but that seems a long way of (hence the selection of another option - Have list, but it’s unresponsive).
Some of the reasons for it could be:
1. I do not directly ask my readers to buy a product - the affiliate links are within the text (I don’t know if that is right or wrong - though my blog has a disclosure that the links are affiliate links and I may be paid for any purchase that they make).
2. My audience is not looking for solutions - but then why would they subscribe to the blog in the first place?
3. They do not have the money to buy - how do I get to know that?
4. Most of them are from one country - India - though I don’t know how it could result into an unresponsive audience. But having said that I find it intriguing that ALL purchases made through affiliate links have been made by readers who are outside India.
5. The niche is not good enough – I don’t think so – it is a blog on career and personal development.
6. And one very big reason could be - the percentage of people who open emails is very low (just about 5%). This is true of most emails – from the first in the sequence to the later ones. And thus quality of content may not be the issue.
I will be coming back here to read what you are your readers have to say about list building in general and about my issue in particular.
Best regards
Sanjeev
Sanjeev Sharma´s last blog ..Corruption of the every day variety is more dangerous
Hi, Sanjeev - I really appreciate you taking your time to go into details about the issues you are having with your list.
Your comment is a bit long to address here, but I’ve got a better idea - I will write a blog post based on it!
Thanks for reminding us that without a list of email subscribers, you really don’t have a chance to succeed at blogging/making $ online.
I have a nice giveaway (eBook), that I need to promote more. At present, the only places it’s featured is prominently in side bar, and nav bar.
I’m also guilty of not being proactive in terms of sending out monthly newsletters…I will get out my schedule and do this immediately.
Next newsletter going out Wednesday 2/16/11.
Thanks for them tips, Ana!
Linda @talktherapybiz.com´s last blog ..Hey Mom and Dad-I’m Gonna Be A Teen One Day!
Hi, Linda - just got back from you blog.
I think your book design and who it’s presented appears too much like an ad. I almost missed it and I was looking for it.
I think this is one of the reason you are not getting more subscribers - they are blind to it.
Something to look into.
Ana´s last blog ..Why All Your Make Money Blogging Efforts Will Fail Without This
Whoa-thanks for the advice, and for taking the time to check out my site.
I will have that changed, and I do appreciate the honesty.
I did follow 3 pieces of ur recent advice:
~Added a Twitter profile aimed at connecting w/#parents since I’m a bit double-niching on blog
~Wrote newsletter last night, and ready 2 send
~I have a more edgy topic coming out for this week’s post, which was inspired by “white glove” post of yours
Thanks, Ana!
Linda @talktherapybiz.com´s last blog ..Hey Mom and Dad-I’m Gonna Be A Teen One Day!
Hey Linda, I noticed your “click to learn more about it” button was very hard to see, and looked like part of your book cover. I went ahead and made you an ecover using your design on one of my action scripts. Maybe it will help increase conversions. Also, your book cover should also be clickable. Anyways, heres a link to both a .jpg and a .psd file for you to use (if you want). It’s ok if not. It only took me a couple minutes to make
Ana, I hope this is okay…
Both files are in this directory…
http://www.photoshopactionscripts.com/linda
-Ben
Wow, way to step up, Ben!
I do agree with your pointers - what do you think, Linda?
Ana´s last blog ..How To Write Titles With Teeth
I haven’t figured out the direct ratio yet (it’s very fluid) but I know that I know that I know you have to have lots of eyes on your blog to get accurate list results numbers. 10 people on your list all buying may-or-may-not be as true as 80 out of 100, or 650 out of a thousand.
There’s a lot to balance to get results. I don’t think I can really read a lot into my low starting numbers. BUT I AM OPEN TO SUGGESTION. *hint-hint, Ana*.
I am working on it, Gibson.
PS I did take a look at your blog a while ago, sorry forgot (or got too busy) to let you know; couldn’t figure it our either. I think you might also have a bigger problem than that. I’ll get you in touch with someone who can help you - will email you.
Thank you Ana. I appreciate the time you were able to spend on it! Any help is appreciated.
Great points, we will ALL get better results by working together as a team!!
Elle Billias´s last blog ..Does Your Online Marketing Blog Conform to The “Z” Layout
Definitely, Elle!
Ana´s last blog ..Blog Traffic Challenge- Did You See My Glove Laying Around Here
Hi Ana,
List building is relationship building so it stands near the top of Must-Do activities for a blogger. I neglected it to my detriment. First because I didn’t feel like paying for a service, then even after I found out about Mailchimp I didn’t feel the effort of learning how to set up my campaign was worth it. That was a No-No that I own.
If you’re a home based entrepreneur I suggest starting a list from day 1. Trust is generally established over a series of days, weeks, months. Building a list can shorten this time for most because your subscribers receive a steady flow of your top notch content delivered directly to their inbox. Seeing great supplied by someone on a consistent basis makes you say “I like that dude, or dudette” and that’s pretty much the beginning of the money making process.
1 - Like what person has to offer.
2 - See what they have to offer over a period of time.
3 The person grows on you, you decide you really like them.
4 - You are willing to pay for the person’s product or service because you trust them.
The real action verb here is “trust” and that’s what list building is all about.
Thanks for sharing your insight Ana. I look forward to the results of your post. Have a powerful week!
RB
Ryan Biddulph´s last blog ..Why the Need to Be Right Can Destroy Your Home Based Opportunity
So true, Ryan:
Like the person = like their stuff
But it all begins with “Hi, I am Ana and here’s how I can benefit your business”.
Ana´s last blog ..Why All Your Make Money Blogging Efforts Will Fail Without This
I soooo need help in building a list. I have a great book given away with sign up but seems like no one is interested, lol.
I am IN!!!
Brankica@How to build a blog´s last blog ..Amazon Kindle for bloggers Why you should have it
Great, Brankica - I already have a ton of idea brewing on how to make our list building work better.
Ana
Ana´s last blog ..Blog Traffic Challenge- Did You See My Glove Laying Around Here
Hi Anna
I am a little surprised at how many bloggers have not started building a list yet, but not that surprised if I am honest, because I find a lot of bloggers, and I dont mean this in a bad way, don’t have a good knowledge of marketing techniques such as list building.
My list was growing slowly and I worked on my conversions and with the same amount of traffic (which is not a huge amount I may add) I increased my optins from around 2 a day to 10, which was excellent I thought.
However I am not focused on the numbers on my list as such, but the relationship as you stated, providing value is MUCH more important than list size.
Alex.
Alex Neill @ super affiliate´s last blog ..Monetize Your Blog And Get Free Targeted Traffic – Part 2
Good morning, Alex:
I think the problem is that so many bloggers dive into blogging without having any idea why and what the purpose of it is. And you are right, they don’t take time to learn first.
I would go for slow and quality anytime over quick and unresponsive.
As a matter of fact, I need to make some changes in the way I build list and move more towards quality, like double opt-in.
Ana
Ana´s last blog ..Blog Traffic Challenge- Did You See My Glove Laying Around Here
Hi Ana
Yes double optin is a must, especially because of the can spam law, I know many people who use single optin because they feel they lose out on more subscribers, but really, if you use double optin you are doubly sure that people TRULY want to receive your emails.
Alex.
Alex Neill @ super affiliate´s last blog ..Monetize Your Blog And Get Free Targeted Traffic – Part 2
Is double opt in confirming the subscription? (yes, that is how much I don’t know about this)
Brankica@How to build a blog´s last blog ..Amazon Kindle for bloggers Why you should have it
And I actually have it set up on mine, lol….OK I am all ears about this list building action
Brankica@How to build a blog´s last blog ..Amazon Kindle for bloggers Why you should have it
Wow I just voted and can’t believe the stats on how many haven’t started building a list. Unreal.
Each site I have (regardless of type), which now number 8, has an email list set up with some type of lead magnet (ebook or e-course) and up to a 30-day autoresponder.
I think it’s very important that no matter what type of site you have, as you mention, you gotta have a list.
Robert Dempsey´s last blog ..What Does It Take To Be A Full-Time Affiliate Marketer
What surprised me even more, Robert, is how many people said that their list is growing by leaps and bounds.
I think I should’ve defined that better. 
Yes, sounds like we’ll need to start with the basics of list building!
Ana
Ana´s last blog ..How I Generated 415 Clicks in 1 Day with Traffic Interviews
In the traditional sense my list isn’t growing by leaps and bounds (compared to the percentages that others claim) however it’s growing very nicely and the unsubscribe rate is very low. So that tells me my efforts are effective. I was torn in how to answer that one, but I agree it sounds like the basics are in order. Perhaps more videos? I do enjoy your videos.
Now get back to vacation!
I used to be for quantity, but now I realize how silly that was. Newbie mistake!
By the way, I was away from internet for 2 days and now have over 100 emails and 120 comments to answer. What would’ve happened had I taken the entire week?
Ana,
I think this is a great idea and will help out some who really don’t know how to build a list. I honestly think that most people especially if you have gone through the trouble of building a blog already know how to build a list.
I think the problem lies in actually doing it. Correct me if I’m wrong but list building via a blog requires finding out what your niche wants and then putting valuable, engaging content in front of them consistently, and I believe that this is where most of us struggle is with being consistent and engaging for long enough to establish trust within our niche.
Thanks for sharing,
Roger
Roger Holmes´s last blog ..What To Look For In A Home Based Business In 2011
Hi Roger - if you’re having trouble figuring out what people want do what Ana did and ask. The people that are really interested will respond. You can also try different lead magnets based on the comments that you’ve received on your posts.
Look at what people have responded to the most, expand it into an ebook, and offer that in exchange for the email.
The technical aspects of putting the thing together is the easy part.
Robert Dempsey´s last blog ..What Does It Take To Be A Full-Time Affiliate Marketer
Robert,
Thanks a million for your input, initially knowing what people want wasn’t my issue (or so I thought until I sat back and thought about your response). You have quite possibly solved a problem for me. Again thanks so much for the response. I really appreciate this community for all the value that’s often freely given to help others.
Roger
Roger Holmes´s last blog ..What To Look For In A Home Based Business In 2011
Good morning, Roger:
Actually you’d be surprised how many advanced bloggers have no idea how to build a list or are building one, thus the point of this post.
I actually know of many blogs that don’t offer anything of value for someone to sign up, just a promise of a newsletter.
The tricky part, as you rightly noted, is in staying in touch with your list and knowing what to say, how to mix in the offers and such.
I think that’s one of the reasons bloggers don’t do it - they don’t know if they can keep up with the list.
@Robert - great input, Robert; thanks for your help (do I see an ulterior motive here?
Ana´s last blog ..Website Traffic Generation- Practical Secrets To Getting A Lot Of Traffic
The success of your list mailing efforts depends on many facettes, for example also on the delivery date. If you are sending the mailing on weekends, where no one is home or shares time with their friends and family, chances are that your mail is hidden under a bunch if trash mails come monday morning.
I found the best delivery dates are during the week from tuesday to thursday.
I think this depends on the niche. On my freelancing site I get a ton of hits on Sundays. But you never know until you try.
Robert Dempsey´s last blog ..What Does It Take To Be A Full-Time Affiliate Marketer
I agree with Robert on this one, Andreas.
Sundays are usually the days when people “catch up” on things and sending a quick email with a great tip or even a quick inexpensive offer worked great for me.
My open rates on Sundays are the same as during the week.
Ana´s last blog ..Blog Audit Friday- Perfect Niche Needs Perfect Packaging
Alive and listening. Thanks for helping me kick the brain cells into gear on this Monday morning! Oh, and Happy Valentine’s Day, too!
Thanks, Laura, any time!
And hope you had a great one as well…
Ana
Ana´s last blog ..Got Traffic So What
Comments on this entry are closed.