In our previous article, we looked at everything you need to know about email marketing as a blogger here in India.
If you haven’t looked at it, go ahead.
In this blog post, we will discuss various strategies and techniques to help you build an email list for your Indian blog.
Email list building is an essential aspect of email marketing, and it can be a challenging task, especially for new blogs.
By the end of this article, you should have a clear understanding of the steps you need to take to grow your email list and improve your email marketing campaigns.
Why Build an Email List?
Building an email list is crucial for any blog or website as it allows you to directly communicate with your audience.
It is one of the most effective online marketing strategies as it helps you nurture relationships, promote your content, and ultimately, increase conversions and sales.
With an email list, you own the contact list, and you can reach your audience directly in their inboxes, bypassing the algorithms of social media platforms.
This ensures that your message is delivered to your subscribers without relying on third-party platforms.
Additionally, an email list enables you to segment your audience and send targeted messages that resonate with their interests and needs. This personalized approach can significantly improve engagement and conversion rates.
Email marketing statistics in India
India had 8.3 billion emails sent per day in 2022, ranking it among the top countries for daily email volume along with the US, UK, Japan, and Belgium.
In a 2021 survey of marketing executives in India, 73% reported that they handled email marketing campaigns themselves.
The email marketing industry in India is growing, with the global email marketing market projected to reach $17.9 billion by 2027, up from $7.5 billion in 2020, and with an expected compound annual growth rate of 13.3% during that period.
Here’s some more email marketing statistics specific to India:
- Growing Investment: Email marketing is gaining traction in India. There’s been a significant increase in investment in email marketing over the past few years, with marketers looking to allocate up to 30% more budget towards it [Source: Only Influencers].
- High Frequency: Compared to global trends, email marketing in India seems to be more frequent. Around 59% of marketers send at least one email per week, with some sending daily emails [Source: Only Influencers].
- Mobile Focus: Similar to global trends, mobile is king in India. Smartphone users prefer to receive brand communications via email, so ensure your emails are mobile-friendly.
- Event-Triggered Emails are Effective: Personalized emails triggered by specific events (like a purchase or website visit) see a significant increase in open rates (up to 55%) and conversion rates (up to 11.4%) [Source: MoEngage].
You can find more details by searching for “The State Of Email Marketing in India” by Only Influencers and “Email Marketing Statistics by Industry and Region” by MoEngage.
Strategies for Building an Email List for Indian Blogs
Now, let’s dive into the specific strategies you can use to build an email list for your Indian blog:
1. Create a Signup Form
The first step in build an email list is to create a signup form on your blog or website. This form should be visible and easily accessible to your visitors. You can use a popup or a static form in the sidebar or footer of your pages.
Make sure to keep the signup form simple and ask for only the necessary information, such as the user’s email address and maybe their name. Asking for too much information can be a barrier to sign-ups.
You can use email marketing software or a plugin that integrates with your website platform to create and manage your signup forms.
These tools often provide analytics, helping you understand your form’s performance and optimize it for better conversion rates.
2. Offer an Incentive
People are more likely to join your email list if they perceive value in doing so.
Offering an incentive, such as a free ebook, checklist, template, or exclusive content, can be a powerful way to build your email list.
Create a lead magnet that aligns with the interests and needs of your target audience.
For example, if you have a blog about personal finance, you could offer a free ebook on “10 Ways to Save Money on Groceries.”
Promote your incentive throughout your website, in your blog posts, and even on your social media channels.
Make sure the value proposition is clear and compelling, so visitors understand the benefit of subscribing to your email list.
3. Utilize Pop-ups and Exit-Intent Technology
Pop-ups can be highly effective in capturing the attention of your visitors and encouraging them to join your email list.
While some people may find pop-ups annoying, they have been proven to increase email signups significantly.
Use timely and behavior-triggered pop-ups, such as exit-intent pop-ups that appear when a user is about to leave your website.
This technology detects user behavior and presents the pop-up at the moment they are most likely to convert.
Make sure your pop-ups are mobile-friendly and easy to close, so they don’t frustrate your visitors.
Also, consider using a slide-in or less intrusive popup style if you’re concerned about the user experience.
4. Optimize Your Blog Posts
Your blog posts are a great opportunity to capture email addresses from engaged readers.
Include a call-to-action (CTA) at the end of each post, inviting readers to subscribe to your email list to receive similar content directly to their inboxes.
You can also create content upgrades, which are bonuses or extended versions of your blog posts offered as incentives.
For example, if you have a post about “The Ultimate Guide to Indian Street Food,” you could offer a downloadable checklist of the best street food locations as a content upgrade.
Additionally, consider using inline forms within your posts. These are small forms embedded directly into the content, allowing readers to subscribe without leaving the page.
5. Build a Landing Page
Create a dedicated landing page on your website with the sole purpose of promoting your email list and explaining its benefits.
This page should highlight the value subscribers will receive, such as exclusive content, discounts, or early access to new products or services.
A landing page can be an effective way to drive sign-ups, especially if you’re running advertising campaigns or promoting your email list through social media.
Ensure the page has a clear headline, a compelling description, and a simple signup form.
6. Leverage Social Media
Promote your email list on your social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Create posts, stories, or pins that highlight the benefits of joining your email list and provide a direct link to your signup form or landing page.
You can also pin a post about your email list to the top of your social media profiles, so it’s one of the first things visitors see when they land on your page.
Additionally, consider using social media advertising to boost your reach and target a wider audience.
7. Collaborate with Influencers
Partnering with influencers or industry experts can help you reach a new audience and build your email list.
Collaborate with influencers in your niche who have engaged followings.
You can co-create content or host a giveaway together, with the incentive being a subscription to your email list.
Influencers can promote your email list to their followers, increasing visibility and trust.
Their endorsement can encourage their audience to join your email list, as they value the influencer’s opinion and recommendations.
8. Host a Giveaway or Contest
People love the chance to win something, and hosting a giveaway or contest is a fun way to build your email list.
Promote the giveaway on your website and social media channels, and make sure the entry requirement is for participants to subscribe to your email list.
You can also collaborate with other businesses or influencers to offer a more attractive prize, increasing the number of entries and, subsequently, email signups.
Just be sure to follow any legal requirements and guidelines when running a giveaway or contest.
9. Provide Valuable Content
One of the most important factors in building a successful email list is providing valuable content that resonates with your audience.
If your subscribers find your emails interesting and useful, they are more likely to remain engaged and look forward to your future communications.
Focus on creating high-quality, relevant content that aligns with the interests and needs of your target audience.
This could be in the form of exclusive articles, tips, how-to guides, videos, or even personal stories and insights.
Additionally, ensure that your emails are mobile-friendly, as most people access their emails on their smartphones.
Optimize your email content and design for mobile devices to ensure a positive user experience.
10. Make it Easy to Share
Encourage your subscribers to share your emails with their friends and colleagues.
Word-of-mouth marketing is powerful, and you can leverage your existing subscribers to reach a wider audience.
Include social sharing buttons in your emails, making it easy for subscribers to forward or share your content with just a few clicks.
You can also create referral programs or incentives for subscribers who successfully refer a certain number of new subscribers.
Best Practices for Email List Building
As you implement the strategies mentioned above to build an email list for your Indian blog, here are some best practices to keep in mind:
- Privacy and Consent: Ensure that you have clear consent from individuals before adding them to your email list. This is crucial for compliance with privacy laws, such as GDPR and India’s Personal Data Protection Bill. Provide a privacy policy that outlines how you handle personal information and give subscribers the option to opt-out at any time.
- Mobile Optimization: With the majority of people accessing emails on their mobile devices, it’s essential to ensure your signup forms and emails are mobile-friendly. Test them on different devices and screen sizes to ensure a seamless user experience.
- Segmentation: As your email list grows, consider using email segmentation to send more targeted and personalized content to your subscribers. This can be based on their interests, demographics, or behavior, helping you deliver the right message to the right person.
- Consistency: Maintain a consistent sending schedule so your subscribers know what to expect. Whether you send emails daily, weekly, or monthly, stick to a routine, so your audience remains engaged and doesn’t forget about you.
- Analytics: Utilize the analytics provided by your email marketing software to track the performance of your email campaigns. Monitor open rates, click-through rates, and unsubscribe rates to understand what’s working and what needs improvement.
Final Thoughts
Building an email list for your Indian blog requires a strategic and consistent approach.
By implementing the strategies outlined in this article, you can effectively grow your email list and engage with your target audience.
Remember that building a high-quality email list takes time and effort, but it is well worth the investment.
Focus on providing value to your subscribers, and they will become your biggest advocates, helping you spread the word about your blog and ultimately contributing to your success.
With a strong email list, you can achieve your marketing goals and take your Indian blog to new heights.
I hope this article has provided you with the guidance and inspiration you need to start building an email list for your Indian blog.
Now it’s time to put these strategies into action and watch your email list flourish!
FAQs
What is email marketing and why is it important for Indian bloggers?
Email marketing is a digital marketing strategy that involves sending emails to a targeted audience to promote products, services, or content. It is important for Indian bloggers as it helps in building and engaging with a loyal audience, driving traffic to their website, and ultimately increasing conversions.
How can I start building my email list from scratch for my Indian blog?
You can start building your email list from scratch by creating an enticing sign-up form on your blog, offering a free trial or valuable content in exchange for email addresses, and promoting it through various channels to attract more subscribers.
What are some effective email list-building strategies for Indian bloggers?
A: Some effective email list-building strategies for Indian bloggers include using targeted email campaigns, providing valuable content to entice people to sign up for your email list, and optimizing your sign-up forms for better conversions.
How can I get people to join my email list in India?
You can get people to join your email list in India by creating compelling content that addresses their needs, promoting it on social media platforms, offering exclusive deals or discounts, and making the sign-up process easy and seamless.
What are the top 10 strategies to grow your email list for an Indian blog?
The top 10 strategies to grow your email list for an Indian blog include optimizing your website for email sign-ups, running email campaigns, offering incentives like free downloads or discounts, collaborating with other bloggers or influencers, and leveraging social media platforms.
How can I increase my email list for marketing purposes as an Indian blogger?
You can increase your email list for marketing purposes as an Indian blogger by consistently creating valuable content, engaging with your audience through personalized emails, segmenting your subscribers for targeted campaigns, and analyzing your email marketing efforts for continuous improvement.
Why is it important to collect email addresses from Indian visitors to my blog?
Collecting email addresses from Indian visitors to your blog is important as it helps you build a direct communication channel with your target audience, nurture leads, drive repeat traffic to your website, and establish a loyal base of subscribers for future promotions and updates.
