This is an updated post 2014
“The money is in the list!” 
How many times have you heard that?
But if no one opens your email, you’ll be broke.
In this post, you’ll also learn how to write clickable email subject lines that will grow your business.
Specifically, you’ll discover how I increased my open rates from the usual 14% – 22%.
It doesn’t get better than for you to understand how the phrase can impact your content marketing goals.
The truth is, until you start building a list, you’re not actually in business.
Of course, your website might be generating thousands of targeted traffic monthly, but if the people are not on your list, they’re just like strangers.
Forget about repeat visits – it’s harder than you think.
It takes hard work and tweaking to encourage repeat visitors. Instead of taking that difficult route, start building your list today. Yes, today!
In this article, you’ll learn the 5 core reasons why email marketing is the bedrock of content marketing & your business. You need to set things in motion.
Whether you’re a blogger or affiliate marketer or freelancer, the asset you should invest in is the mailing list. So, what are the five core reasons?
#1. You can build a better relationship
As they say, “people buy from who they trust, and like.” If you’re a business owner, the best way to start connecting with your target audience; solve their problems and become the go-to-person is via email marketing.
It’s true that email is one of the oldest forms of marketing, but it’s still as effective as ever.
Most experts have list in the hundreds and millions. When someone joins your list, they’ve given you an open check to keep talking to them and probably, cash in.
And this is paramount to your success. Permission marketing is the only element that guarantees long-term success.
Sure, you could communicate on Twitter and Facebook, but the intimacy on the inbox is much more engaging. Your audience is eager to have you onboard. Start building a relationship today – via the inbox.
#2. You could make more money
Relationship marketing is a continuous thing. It doesn’t end in a week or a year. To remain relevant and fresh, always communicate your brand. Your identity and why you’re the best to work with.
Yes, it’s going to take some time to bring results, but with focus and a definite goal, you could make more money via email marketing.
I didn’t realize the potentials of turning a profit online when I started a few years ago. Funny enough, when I see bloggers and internet marketers sending traffic to a salespage, it makes me want to puke.
Consumers are still the same, but their taste and buying decisions are gradually shifting from what we know. To make more money online, quality content is no longer enough.
Being personal is the key. And an effective email marketing campaign can be of help in this regard. Create a product or join a valuable affiliate program. As you continue to build relationship with subscribers, recommend products and make extra income when they buy.
#3. Email is the best way to bring repeat visitors
When you reduce your bounce rate, your ranking would increase as well. Google tracks the number of people who visit your website, and when they come back through the same IP address, it’s a plus to you web page.
What about list building?
You can build your list through guest blogging. And most importantly, when follow up with your
subscribers, we’ve experimented and found that shorter email subject lines produce better open rates.
We saw a 22% open rates on shorter email subject lines. See screenshot below:
And that’s why you need to start collecting leads. This way, you can follow up with new and old subscribers about your latest blog posts, slideshows and even YouTube videos.
Repeat visitors would understand your content better. They can feel obliged to share your post and refer friends and family to your website.
New visitors may not go the extra mile. This also means that for your online business to grow, you need intelligent minds and hands. Let other people help you – and this people are mostly going to be repeat readers.
Why? Because they like your content and they’ve tagged you an “expert” who truly cares about them.
#4. The inbox is more important than social media networks
More than anything you’ve ever heard, the email inbox is a goldmine. The noise about social media and all the hype is way too much to grow your business.
More than 500Million bloggers are active members on Facebook and Twitter. I mean active, not registered.
But guess what? Only a handful truly understands how to use the network. Others are just wasting precious time instead of investing time, hoping that one that, they’d hit a jackpot. They’d drive thousands of traffic to their website and make money.
Isn’t this madness? Email marketing has grown tremendously in the past few months.
Intelligent marketers are now leveraging the inbox to position their brands and increase their worth exponentially. Don’t be like those who join the crowd, let the inbox become your #1 asset.
#5. Email leads are assets, which means you’re in business
Are you really in business?
If a 2-year old should throw this question at you, what would your honest answer be? You see, most people think they’re in business, when in the real sense of it, they’re not.
The fact that you registered a domain name, got a web hosting plan and update your website regularly doesn’t make any difference.
Get this: thousands of marketers around the world can do that. And if that’s all you do, you can’t stand out.
Blog readers and target audience only connect with those who have gained deeper knowledge about their chosen topic.
Your subscribers ought to receive exclusive contents, apart from the generic blog posts and videos you create.
Email leads are assets. Just like a brick and mortar business, an asset is the only element that secures your future. Savvy people invest in landed properties, Machinery, Stocks and Bonds.
On the internet, the best investment is on leads. I’m talking about quality leads, from people who want to increase their knowledgebase. Channel your efforts on permission marketing; it’s the wave of the future.
Do you’ve a mailing list yet?
What steps are you taking to increase your email subscribers?
Have you ever made money from your list? If yes, how were you able to convince subscribers to buy from you? Share your comment below. See you at the top!
Great post, im just starting up buidling up a email list. At the moment im making a short ebook that people reicve when they subscribe to my newletter. Easy way to get a lot of emails. By the way do you use mailchimp or Aweber?
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Michael,
I agree that the primary reason for building an email list is to build relationships. Business is built on relationships. If people don’t know you and trust you, they will not come back for repeat business. Building a email list gives us one method for gaining the trust of others.
Mike Cleveland
Michael.. You have outlined the unique points in this article which never got my attention. I was really moved by this article and would start looking at these points too while accomplishing my email marketing campaign. Point#2 and 4 are very influential.
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Like the post, I am constantly telling clients that they need to be building an email list to improve their marketing position. What would you say are the most effective ways of building a strong email list?
Hi Shaun, there is no better way to build a strong email list, it all depends on what works for you and how comfortable you’re with it. Guest posting, PPC advertising, forum posting, SEO and social media are all effective – you just have to be consistent. I hope that helps?
thanks for sharing this really useful post on content marketing. really useful points for all the content marketers.
Yes, building an email list is important. I do appreciate your post Michael. Keep it up.
Thanks Titas for reading my post.
Hey,
I’m very pleased to find this great post. I need to thank you for ones time for this fantastic read!!!!
Thanks,
Mohammad
Thank you and welcome to my blog.
I have also started building a list.
I’m happy to hear you’ve joined the email marketing league. I’m sure you won’t regret it.
The money is ,was and will be in the list. In this world where the next update is going to sweep all efforts one has made list is the key.
Hi Michael,
Yeah that’s right! building relationship and trust with your targeted viewers is what affiliate marketing is all about! I know you cannot weed out the importance of building email list in your online business if you are eyeing for a stable income but the real problem is when and how to start building email list? for me, that’s a real problem and nobody tells the real picture as to when and how should you start making email list? Michael! Everything you told is great and up to the mark but as a newbie blogger I want to enter into affiliate marketing through building email lists of targeted customers. Can you help me in this regard?
Thank you for the post anyhow as it really opened my eyes.
Hi Khalid, if you want to build an email list from scratch, I wrote a guest post to that regard. Click here to build email from start to finish.
This sounds great!Building an email list in a lucrative niche is awesome. Keep up !
Good relationship towards your subscribers and readers is one of the most important thing that you really need to take care of.
That’s one thing that makes a business succeed.
The key term is “good relationship.” Thanks Byod for reading.
Hi Michael,
Excellent tips!
Build a powerful relationship with subscribers. Create valuable emails.
Over time, your bonds grow. Get stronger. As your connections become more powerful your home business will steadily grow.
Thanks!
RB
Yes, it’s all about building brands and helping subscribers gain deeper knowledge about a topic. That’s where money is. Thanks for coming to my blog Ryan.
Well i must confess i have never tried building email list but reading your posts; it seems i have been exploiting this traffic source.I would try setting this up in my blog soon.
Go for it Meena and let me know how it goes.
You said that when you see bloggers sending traffic to a sales page it makes you puke. I didn’t understand what you’re trying to imply. Doesn’t everyone do it. Promoting affiliate products
Don’t drive traffic to a sales page, instead send the traffic to your squeeze page and capture email address first. Then follow up with your product – that’s how to make more money online.
Yeah thats what John Chow also says. I have seen blogs with low traffic and ranking making more money then established blogs because they do the list thing right.
Email marketing is the wave of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Get started if you’re not in yet.
I came from john chow reading your awesome article. I have two mobile browsers. The first one didn’t load your site 500 error when i clicked your name. I then did a google search of your name to find your website and the browser didn’t open it. I closed it and typed your site in another browser because your content is so compelling. I have finally arrived.
Thank you George. I guess I’d have to optimize my blog for mobile. It’s good to have you here. Have you subscribed to my email newsletter?
I briefly build a list and could see the benefits from the very start, however I’m going to build one in a new niche as it’s very lucrative. Money is in the list – How many times we heard that phrases now..
Yes, go for it Simmeon. Building an email list in a lucrative niche is awesome. Keep rocking the blogging world – Michael
I’m still new to blogging and content marketing. Do you think I should start building my list now, or wait until I start getting traffic to my blog? What do you advice?
Absolutely Kaitua, start building your email list now. Don’t wait till the traffic starts coming. Add optin forms on your blog and when visitors come to your blog, they’d subscribe instantly. Email marketing is so important, don’t postpone it.
This post kept me from start to finish. You’ve done a mighty work with your email marketing article and I was wondering, what’s the best autoresponder service to use. Should I go for aweber or getresponse?
I’m so glad the post inspired you to take action. Aweber and getresponse are good email services. I use getresponse but my friends use aweber. Just choose one and get started.
You’ve a timely post here. The way you explained it makes me really happy. “The money is truly in the list” and I need to get started immediately. What else can I say Michael – more grace to your efforts.
You’re a busy man Steven, but felt obliged to read and comment on my post. How else can I repay you that to say God bless you mightily. How is your vacation going, Fine, Huh?
This post came at the right time Michael. I needed to start building an email list but have been skeptical about it. Now I know it’s a long-term goal and one that needs a proper plan. Thank you so much for making out time to write this.
This sounds good Ma. How is your health and family? Take it easy at your end, your life is so precious. As for email marketing, it’s the quickest way to drive targeted readers to your blog. It’s vital that you get started and make it a long term goal. Stay gracious.
I agree with this. Building an email list is very important. One thing I’ve heard time and again is that “the money is in the list.” And I don’t think thousands of industry experts who are email marketers are all wrong. I’d get started with list building as soon as possible. This post made my day – keep the flag going.