As a freelance writer, you’re well aware that writing is the lifeblood of digital marketing. Though videos, infographics, images, and charts are growing in popularity, it’s still the blog posts, newsletters, white papers, and e-books that remain constant.
But if you’re already writing a blog to market your writing skills, doesn’t a written newsletter seem redundant? Not at all. In fact, an email newsletter is an excellent way to bring in greater readership, connect you to more clients, and create a deeper connection with your readers.
If you’re not convinced that an email newsletter will benefit your blog, here are some facts that may clarify the matter.
1. Newsletters create a community and deepen reader engagement
You might be asking yourself, “How can newsletters create a community? Readers can’t comment on them or read feedback from other readers.” And that’s true. But it’s not the only way to build a community among your readers.
For the most part, the people who subscribe to your newsletter are your most loyal readers, the ones who make your blogging community come alive. They want to know what’s going on behind the scenes and be as much a part of your world as possible.
Related: Build a Devoted Following for Your Blog With These 3 Tips
When you send a newsletter, it enables you to identify these readers and corral them into their own power group as advocates for your blog. Through the newsletter, you can offer special promotions, share secrets you don’t share with readers who are non-subscribers and communicate on a more personal, engaging level.
If you’re a writer who specializes in real estate, for example, you might use a newsletter to unite the rental community. It’s one of the best ways to get tenants on the same page, send news updates, market openings, and give information to ease the renting process.
2. Newsletters generate leads
When you’re aiming to grow readership for your blog, a newsletter is an excellent way to do that. In marketing your blog, it’s easy to waste a lot of money trying out lead-generation tactics that don’t work. You put your blog in front of readers who aren’t interested, and it results in reduced profits.
A newsletter helps you target and track different groups of readers, particularly if you use a tool that tracks reader engagement. This enables you to identify which links get the most clicks and engagement from readers.
If you use this tool on your blog and newsletter in tandem, you’ll pick out your most loyal customers and probably snag a few more along the way.
3. Newsletters can build momentum for your blog
An effective way to maintain readers is to keep them excited about reading your blog every day. If you only post the same kind of content each day without updates, readers will easily get bored and stop tuning in. A newsletter is the perfect outlet for announcing big news and the progress your blog has made, and you’ll have a better chance of keeping your readers constantly interested.
For example, you might share tidbits of background on your newsletter every few weeks that describe important milestones of your blog, such as how many readers you’ve gained in the last six months, new features you’re adding, the volume of social mentions, and other news that gets your readers pumped as well as feeling they’re in the vanguard of your operation.
4. Newsletters enhance your ability to monetize the blog
A big potential perk of a newsletter is the money. Though you can easily make money by selling products or services, it may not be enough to generate good profits from your blog. It’s smart to continue looking for opportunities to monetize your online writing business.
Newsletters can be especially lucrative in terms of advertising revenue. Ad space in a popular newsletter can be pricey, since it’s sent directly to customers.
Advertisers know that newsletter subscribers are highly committed to the blog and reading the newsletter, so they’re more likely to see the ad and interact with it. Related businesses will pay good money for such a space.
Starting a newsletter is a wonderful way to supplement the income from your blog, market your skills as a writer, and improve your overall reach. If you’re still skeptical about the possible results, try it out and experience the benefits for yourself.
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