In this video, Brian Dean shares his experience and insights on growing an email newsletter to over 90,000 subscribers without relying on paid ads. He highlights the importance of having a high open rate and how newsletters can serve as valuable assets for businesses. Brian draws examples from successful companies like Morning Brew and The Hustle to showcase the impact a newsletter can have on brand familiarity and conversions. To effectively grow a newsletter, he recommends sending a confirmation/welcome message to new subscribers, creating a branded newsletter with a unique template, and providing bite-sized value that is easy for subscribers to skim and gain value from. Consistency and a dedicated page on a website are also crucial for attracting and retaining subscribers. Brian’s strategies have proven successful in his own ventures, making this video a valuable resource for anyone looking to expand their email newsletter without relying on paid ads.
Introduction to Growing an Email Newsletter without Using Paid Ads
So you want to grow your email newsletter but without spending a fortune on paid ads? Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this comprehensive article, we will explore the value of growing an email newsletter and provide you with recommendations and strategies from an experienced marketer. We will also discuss the importance of encouraging interaction and feedback from your subscribers. By the end of this article, you’ll have all the tools and knowledge you need to grow your email newsletter organically and effectively. Let’s get started!
The Value of Growing an Email Newsletter
The Benefits of a High Open Rate
One of the key benefits of growing an email newsletter is the potential for a high open rate. Imagine having 90,000 subscribers eagerly opening your newsletter every week. That’s exactly what the speaker in the video achieved, with a remarkable 50% open rate. This is significantly higher than the industry average and demonstrates the value of a well-crafted newsletter that resonates with its audience.
Successful Examples of Newsletter Companies
To further illustrate the value of growing an email newsletter, let’s take a look at some successful examples. Companies like Morning Brew and The Hustle have built their entire business around their newsletters and have been acquired for millions of dollars. These companies understood the power of having a dedicated and engaged email-based audience. By following their lead, you too can leverage your newsletter as a growth channel and reap the benefits of increased brand familiarity and goodwill.
Recommendations from an Experienced Marketer
Experience with Growing Newsletters
The speaker in the video is no stranger to growing newsletters. In fact, he has successfully grown newsletters for his previous company, Backlinko, to over 200,000 subscribers. His expertise and experience make his recommendations invaluable to anyone looking to grow their own newsletter.
Importance of Confirmation/Welcome Messages
When someone signs up for your newsletter, it is crucial to send them a confirmation/welcome message. This message serves two purposes. Firstly, it confirms to the subscriber that they made the right decision by signing up. This reassurance is especially important if you have a weekly or infrequent newsletter, as it keeps you on their radar. Secondly, the welcome message can be used to improve deliverability and increase the chances of your future messages landing in the primary inbox. By instructing subscribers to move your message from promotions to the primary tab and encouraging them to reply, you send strong signals to email platforms that your content is valuable and engaging.
Encouraging Engagement and Moving Emails
To maximize reader engagement, it is essential to provide bite-sized value in your newsletter. Subscribers should find it easy to skim through your content and gain value with minimal effort. This approach increases the likelihood of them opening and engaging with your emails week after week. Additionally, the speaker emphasizes the importance of consistency. By establishing a regular schedule and never missing an issue, you build anticipation and keep your subscribers eagerly awaiting your next update.
Utilizing a Branded Newsletter Template
To enhance brand recognition and sharing, the speaker recommends utilizing a branded newsletter template. Your newsletter should have its own unique brand separate from your main brand. This branding extends to the template design, ensuring that each message has a consistent format while the content within may vary. This combination of familiarity and unknown creates a powerful motivator for subscribers to open your emails.
Strategies for Growing an Email Newsletter
Provide Bite-sized Value
To capture and retain your audience’s attention, it is crucial to provide bite-sized value in your newsletter. Instead of overwhelming them with lengthy essays or an endless list of links, focus on delivering concise and actionable content. Remember, the goal is to make it easy for subscribers to skim through and find value, ultimately keeping them engaged and eager for more.
Consistency is Key
Consistency is key when it comes to growing an email newsletter. By establishing a regular schedule and sticking to it, you create a sense of anticipation and reliability for your subscribers. Whether you choose to send your newsletter weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly, make sure to never miss an issue. This consistent delivery creates a habit for your subscribers, making them more likely to open and engage with your emails.
Timing of Newsletter Delivery
Timing plays a crucial role in the success of your newsletter. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, the speaker in the video shares that many subscribers look forward to reading emails on Tuesdays. Consider experimenting with different days and times to identify the optimal delivery schedule for your specific audience. Keep an eye on your analytics to understand when your subscribers are most active and adjust your delivery accordingly.
Creating a Dedicated Newsletter Page
Having a dedicated page on your website for people to sign up for your newsletter is essential. This page serves as a central hub where visitors can easily subscribe and stay updated on your latest content. Be sure to highlight the benefits of subscribing and clearly explain what they can expect from your newsletter. Make the sign-up process as seamless as possible to encourage more visitors to become subscribers.
Using Pop-ups Effectively
While pop-ups can be effective for capturing email subscribers, the speaker suggests that a dedicated newsletter page is ultimately more effective. While pop-ups can bring in subscribers, having a dedicated page allows for more focused messaging and a better user experience. Rather than interrupting the user’s browsing experience, a dedicated page provides a clear value proposition and encourages visitors to engage with your newsletter on their terms.
Funneling Traffic with Dedicated Sections
Creating dedicated sections on your website to funnel traffic towards your newsletter is another valuable strategy. By prominently featuring your newsletter in key areas of your website, such as the homepage or a sidebar, you increase visibility and encourage visitors to sign up. This targeted approach ensures that interested visitors don’t miss out on the opportunity to subscribe and join your engaged audience.
Important Takeaways for Growing a Newsletter
To summarize the strategies discussed so far, here are some important takeaways for growing your newsletter:
- Have a branded newsletter separate from the main brand.
- Send a strong confirmation/welcome message to new subscribers.
- Provide bite-sized value to make it easy for subscribers to skim and gain value.
- Maintain consistency by never missing an issue and sending your newsletter on a regular schedule.
- Experiment with different days and times for optimal delivery.
- Create a dedicated newsletter page on your website to capture subscribers.
- Utilize pop-ups effectively, but consider prioritizing a dedicated newsletter page for better engagement.
- Implement dedicated sections on your website to funnel traffic towards your newsletter.
By following these key strategies, you will be well on your way to growing a successful and engaged email newsletter.
Encouraging Interaction and Feedback
Importance of Reader Engagement
Engaging your readers is crucial for building a strong connection and fostering a sense of community around your newsletter. Encourage your subscribers to interact and provide feedback on your content. Consider including discussion prompts or questions in your emails to spark conversation. Engaged readers are more likely to share your content, refer others to subscribe, and provide valuable insights that can help shape the future direction of your newsletter.
Encouraging Sharing and Commenting
In the world of email newsletters, sharing is caring. Encourage your subscribers to share your newsletter with their network and provide easy-to-use social sharing buttons within your emails. Additionally, invite readers to comment on your content or share their experiences and questions in the comment section of your website. This interactive approach strengthens the bond between you and your subscribers and creates opportunities for further growth and engagement.
Conclusion
Growing an email newsletter without using paid ads may seem like a daunting task, but with the right strategies and approach, it is more than possible. In this article, we explored the value of growing an email newsletter and the benefits of a high open rate. We also received recommendations from an experienced marketer to guide us through the process. Additionally, we discussed various strategies for growing an email newsletter, from providing bite-sized value and ensuring consistency, to creating a dedicated newsletter page and funneling traffic effectively. Lastly, we emphasized the importance of encouraging interaction and feedback from your subscribers.
By implementing these strategies and building a strong relationship with your audience, you can grow a thriving and engaged email newsletter that brings immense value to both you and your subscribers. So go ahead, take these insights and start growing your email newsletter today!