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5 Effective Ways to Get More E-Mail Subscribers

by Filed Under: BLOG, Blog Advice, Wordpress Plugins

One of the most frequently asked questions of other website owners and clients that I get is how can increase my subscribers.

Seeing as Facebook keeps changing its sharing algorithms for those who once relied solely on Facebook to share their content, now we are seeing a trend for good old subscription services once again on the incline.

My first response is to make sure to have the ways for subscribers to subscribe clearly stated and in plain sight.

Nothing is worse or more of a turnoff, then having to search for a hidden or buried subscription signup form for potential subscribers.

Do you want more #subscribers for your site? #wordpress

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So, how can you make signing up easier and more attractive for subscribers?

Effective Ways to Get More E-mail Subscribers

Well, one thing that website owners can do is to use a subscription service like MailChimp for their newsletters and post updates.  Once you have a subscription service account, then you will want to be able to send newsletters/new article updates out to your subscribers.  I know this could be overwhelming for some to setup and do offer services to help with this if you are indeed unsure.

But if you are able to setup your own subscription account or have one setup already, then the next step would be to have clearcut ways for readers to subscribe to your updates.

In this vain, I recently found a WordPress plugin (yes you have to be self-hosting on WordPress to use this), created by MailMunch that gives website owners a few different options to increase subscribers. If you have and/or use MailChimp, Constant Contact, AWeber, Infusionsoft, GetResponse, or Campaign Monitor, you can easily integrate this plugin to your WordPress site.

MailChimp Forms by MailMunch Logo

I tried a few others before I happily settled on this subscription signup form plugin and wanted to share more about it here.

It is honestly so easy to install and setup (However, if you are having any trouble, you can totally reach out to me and can hire me to help).  Once the plugin is indeed installed though, you will be walked through the setup process and asked to login into your e-mail subscription service account, such as MailChimp, so that your account can be accessed by the plugin.

They have different account plan levels, but I have found that using the FREE version works perfectly fine and haven’t had any need to upgrade to a paid account.

This subscription plugin allows you to 5 different optin forms to use on your site.  You can use one, two, three, four or all five, if you choose.  But still each is unique in its own way and truly can help further increase your subscribers count.

MailMunch Optin Form Types

The 5 MailMunch Optin Subscription Forms

The 5 Ways to Increase Subscribers with MailMunch:

1.  Topbar Subscription Optin for Subscribers:

This is a toolbar that is located at the very top of your website and the first piece of information that can be seen by your readers.  So, it is truly the first order of business when a reader finds your site.

2.  Embedded Subscription Optin for Subscribers:

The embedded optin allows you to showcase a subscription signup form below each and every article post content.  So in essence, as the TopBar was the first call to action this is the last, before the comments section on your site.  This is a great option, because if a new reader does indeed like what they just read, they can signup once they have just finished reading your article.

3. PopOver Subscription Optin for Subscribers:

The PopOver displays for readers even before they can access your content.  So, this call to action is truly the strongest (in my eyes) and gives the sign up option immediately before even entering your site on any device including, mobile and/or desktop/laptop.

4. Scrollbox Subscription Optin for Subscribers:

Like the PopOver, this appears right as your reader enters your site, but it stays put as they scroll down your site on the side of your site.  You can decide the location that works best for you, but still it is to the side and essentially scrolls as the reader is reading your content. Another great option, in my opinion, and the call to subscribe is hard to forget when it is right there as they are reading along with your article.

5.  Sidebar Subscription Optin for Subscribers:

The sidebar has become downplayed, since most sites have opted for mobile ready viewing, but still make no mistake having a signup in your sidebar is still valid on desktops/laptops and can still be viewed on mobile devices, as well.  Might not be as noticeable or as high of a priority as the PopOver or Scrollbox, but still think it is always a plus to have a place for readers to opt in for your updates in your website sidebar and love that this MailMunch has this option.

So, there you have 5 surefire ways to help increase your subscribers on your WordPress self-hosted website, thanks to MailMunch plugin.

 

Comments

    • J9 Designs says

      Very happy to share and definitely have to tell you since starting to use have added quite a few new subscribers this way. So,I hope you can try this real soon 😉

  6. Alli says

    I finally placed a pop-up to try and increase my email subscribers. 🙂 Better late, than never I guess. These are all great tips. I’ve probably neglected my e-mail subscription list way too much. I’m actually getting a few new email subscribers from my sign-up form on my FB page. I was pleasantly surprised. Thanks for sharing this wonderful info at the Pretty Pintastic Party.
    Alli recently posted…Pretty Pintastic Party 46My Profile

    • J9 Designs says

      So happy I could share and I totally neglected this for a bit myself, but so happy I could find a way to indeed help add subscribers 😉

  8. Lisa Bates says

    I moved my wordpress.com to a self hosted and now nothing… I used to get a reasonable amount….. wish I had not moved… cant’ wait to read!

  16. Diane Roark says

    Janine,

    Your posts are always so helpful. I have been using MadMiMi for my newsletter and really like it. I am going to see if I can find a plugin popup that will work with it. I have been meaning to ask you if your popup has been helpful.

    Thanks for sharing!
    Diane Roark

    • J9 Designs says

      I switched from Mad Mimi awhile back as I was getting a ton of spam subscribers and not true subscribers for some reason. I love MailChimp and think they really are one of the best subscription companies out there.

  31. Robin (Masshole Mommy) says

    I never really put much time or energy into worrying about an email list. Maybe I should?

  34. Katrina says

    Thanks for the info. I’ve been struggling with this recently. Probably because I’m still on wordpress.com but I’m switching to self hosted, right now in fact. 🙂

  36. Linda@MixedKreations says

    Thanks for this information! I just signed up with mail chimp this past week and I’m now working on getting subscribers. I’m a little concern though because when I signed up using my email it came back saying that with changes that yahoo has made that if using yahoo or Gmail your newsletters may go to spam folders.
    Thanks again for the informations. Pinning!

  37. Kenya G. Johnson says

    I’ve moved my subscribe button around a lot but I don’t think I’ve ever had in the announcement bar. I’ve used the announcement bar to announce a special for The Christopher Chronicles and one time I think that’s what you could click to get to the home page but then I disabled it. I just put it back to see how it would look on the mobile device and it looks decent so we’ll see how that works. 😉
    Kenya G. Johnson recently posted…That moment when you’re trying to read…My Profile

  40. Rhonda Gales says

    Thanks for sharing these tips on Sunday’s Best. Bloggers are always looking for ways to learn and grow their readers/following. Please feel free to share more. So many people are looking for information.
    Rhonda Gales recently posted…Sunday’s Best – #17My Profile

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