Ask…Ask Often…Make it easy to say YES!
So now you’re thinking but where do I ask? How do I ask?
First, on every page of your blog make sure you have an area where someone can subscribe via RSS or email. Give them the option to subscribe to updates. I also include the ability to subscribe via Networked Blogs because I use that application on my Facebook Fan Page to tie my blog posts automatically into my Facebook Status updates.
Second, bribe people. We’re talking about an ethical bribe here, like a Pink Spoon or a free report or audio.
Third, create a dedicated subscription landing page that you drive paid traffic to.
Next, post a link to your blog in your digital signature like you use at the bottom of your emails, when you engage on forums, and your social network profiles.
Finally, get listed in the major blog directories.
Love your articles…very helpful.
On #3…you state drive “paid” traffic to…could you please explain?
On #4..when you say link in the signature, do you mean so they can click on it and sign up for the newsletter?
How do you get listed in major blog directories and which ones should you get listed in?
Thank you
Patty
By paid traffic I mean Pay-Per-Click either on Google or Facebook Ads or maybe even banner traffic.
An example of my email signature would be:
“Feeling lost or confused when it comes to Facebook, Twitter or YouTube? I’ve got a free gift for you at FreeGiftFromMande.com that’ll ease your confusion and start you down the road to social media profitability in less than 1 hour.”
Then that link takes them (if its a text email they have to copy/paste the link in their browser but if its a html email they can click on the link.)
To find what blog directories to be listed in for your target market you’ll need to do a little googling of “you target market” + blog directories and google will give you a good list.
This is definitely sound advice, though very minimalistic, on a topic that is essentially the most difficult aspect of building a blog. Driving traffic and getting people to actually subscribe/like your blog is incredibly difficult. The real issue is making sure the product being offered is legitimate and interesting. If you have a horrid blog, no amount of bribing or what have you will send you to the top.