One of the most important keys to growing your list of readers -of your books, blog, and more – is growing a targeted email list.

If you’ve hung out online for even a few months, most likely you’ve read a blog or listened to a podcast where you’ve heard someone say “the money is in the list.” That’s true, but also I’ve noticed that writing emails is how we get to know our readers and  build greater levels of trust with our readers.

Email is as critical for writers as it is for other creative entrepreneurs like those who are blogging, creating online courses or doing other projects online.

Scroll down, to read more about how you can grow your email list…

Why do you need an email list?

Email is still the most powerful way to communicate online.

Every day, people check their inboxes. They sit in front of a screen staring at Gmail, Yahoo or other email providers until they know that someone else in the world has connected with them.

As a writer, you want your words to be read.

But there are many speakers or authors who don’t get the attention they deserve and their message fades away…

Many times it’s because they have overlooked the single most important element to growing an audience: the email list.

What exactly does it mean to grow your list?

To grow your list, means that you are offering readers who like either your blog or your books, something of value in exchange for an email address.

It’s a win-win, which is a great thing!

When readers are interested in what you are offering and they sign up to your email list, in return you give them something that they will find helpful. This is permission marketing.

How do you grow your email list?

Once you have written(PDF), recorded(audio) or filmed(video) your lead magnet – something that you give away to readers for free, then here are the next steps.

You Set up an email sign up box like you see on the top right-hand side of this page. Readers who want access to the free Library, enter their email address and then they get the free products

It’s critical to use an email service that does the following:

• • • adds the readers to your list automatically when they sign up
    • will let people unsubscribe easily
    • lets you send out broadcasts when you like
    • Set up auto-responders (which is a follow-up sequence you can use to send people a series of emails)
    • will let you manage your list
    • to create many different lists from one account

After you have set up your sign-up,  then you can attract readers to your list through blogging, social media and/or free ebooks you have to offer.

What can you offer your readers for free?

There are many unique free giveaway ideas you can give to readers. It’s important to give away something that is related to what you are selling.

A few ideas for a free giveaway would be:

• • • • • Blueprint or guide for a product
        • Audio or you reading your own book
        • First 3 chapters of your book, a novella or a short story
        • Top 10 tips for your specific niche.

Whatever you offer to people on your website, remember you want to be a valuable resource for either entertainment or information.

When you give away quality information or something readers find entertaining on a regular basis – for free – people will know like and trust you. Then they will be happy to buy from you when you have something that they are interested in. It’s important that you don’t abuse your list or send people unrelated offers, or they will unsubscribe. It’s about respect – treat people how you want to be treated.

What are some ideas and tools you use for building your email list? I’m sure there are many other ideas for free giveaways, etc. I’d love to hear your ideas in the comments below. 🙂