Write and Speak Your Way to a Bigger List
There are many strategies you can use to grow your list. Today, we are going to look at three list building strategies that leverage audiences that other people have built. When you come up with brilliant content, and you share this content with a new audience, you will link back to your own landing page so people can join your list and learn more about you and what you have to offer.
Guest Blogging
Becoming a guest blogger is not as hard as you might think. In order to find the best opportunities to guest blog, search for the popular and high authority blogs in your industry. Once you have a list, visit their websites to see if they accept guest contributors, and the process for submission. If the blog doesn’t list the opportunity, find the email of the blog owner and pitch yourself as a guest contributor. If the email isn’t listed on the website, you can find the blogger on social media and reach out to them directly there as well.
Before you pitch yourself, read a few posts to get an idea for the style of the blog and the most popular topics. Then, when you pitch yourself as a guest blogger, you can reference a post or two that you liked, and why you liked them. You will also want to give a couple ideas for blog posts you would like to contribute, along with a summary of each proposed post. If they say yes, you can go ahead and write the post and send it to them. If they say no, don’t worry about it. Move on to the next blogs on your list.
If you do get a guest post published, be sure to share it across social media and tag the blog owner. They will love the extra attention, and you will position yourself for future guest blogging opportunities.
Get Interviewed On a Podcast
Podcasters are always looking for new people to interview. Curate a list of podcasts that serve your audience, and pitch yourself as a guest expert. Be sure to find podcasts in your niche that fit your areas of expertise. When you are featured, promote the show date ahead of time, and be sure to share the podcast on social media once it goes live.
Most podcasters will ask you to submit your bio and social media handles so they can include them on the show page and in the show notes. Instead of listing your website home page, link to a specific opt-in page that relates to your show topic. In this way, if listeners enjoy the show, they have a direct link to join your list. You will also want to mention your website and your current opt-in offer during the show.
Be a Guest Expert on a Webinar
As with podcasts, people often look for guests to feature on webinars. These webinars can range from a simple slide show presentation to an on-camera Facebook Live. Webinars are yet another way to get in front of people who are otherwise new to you and your brand.
Similar to podcasters, the webinar host will typically ask for your bio and social media handles so that they can promote your appearance on their webinar. Again, do not send people to a home page. Because a webinar usually covers more in-depth subject matter, it may be a good idea to create a special opt-in for that audience. If you do this, be sure to send people directly to opt-in page, so they can get more targeted information and you can grow your list at the same time.
No matter which one of these methods you choose, be prepared to shine! When you position yourself as the expert, people will want to learn more about you. Give them the easiest way to do this, by directing them to join your list.