Getting subscribers has long been a problem for people – especially in the internet marketing niche where people are more aware, but also in other niches. I plan to try and take this blog to 10,000 subscribers by January 24th 2011, a promise I made when I joined… I’ll talk about how I plan to do that as well as some tips I’ve used for getting subscribers on other sites.
For a social blog like this one, subscribers are one of the biggest things used to judge whether the blog has value. Unfortunately, you can have a tonne of good content, but subscriber count is one of the biggest things people look at when visiting, and if yours isn’t at least at a reasonable level, most will just pass you by without seeing what you have to offer.
There are quite a few blogs with completely rubbish content… yet they’ve grown because of their subscriber base. On the larger blogs, people think that if XX,XXX people have subscribed, there must be something valuable to offer… so I should do the same.
Although I don’t plan to make a tonne of money with TUK, I do plan to build it up to reasonable levels. Why? Because having a blog in this niche means power in this niche, and thus it’s much easier to build JV connections, launch products, seminars and things like that in the future.
My employees are slowly working on building search engine traffic for this blog, as I’ve never focused on it before… so that should help a bit, anyways here’s how I plan to build this blog to 10,000 subscribers+
New theme. This theme is a bit… boring. I don’t know, I just don’t like it very much. Although I won’t be getting a complicated magazine theme done, I’ve hired a freelancer to create a new theme that has been coming along pretty nicely. I also plan to redo the mascot, and have contacted the guy who did the first one… so when the theme is ready, the guy at the top that you see will have a new look. 
If a site looks nice, people are more likely to stick around and thus have a greater chance of of subscribing.
Killer incentive to subscribe. At the moment the incentive for people to subscribe is a free 30~ page report detailing how to make money with WSOs. This is bringing in about 5 new subscribers a day through optins. However, I think the WSO topic is a bit ‘too’ niche… a lot of people don’t know what WSOs are, so ignore it. I’m considering taking all the information that’s been posted on this blog about Adsense and compiling it into a large report to use to build optins – that should have some more interest.
If you can give away something valuable that will pique people’s interest, they’re more likely to subscribe to your blog. If you run a dog training blog, create a short 10 page report about teaching your dog tricks or something related, and as long as it’s well positioned and you’re getting traffic, you’ll get subscribers.
Easy to subscribe. In this niche, everyone know’s that the emails sent out aren’t personally created. So rather than ask for the Name + Email, I’ve only asked for an email address, something I was advised by a partner. This has slightly increased optin amounts. At the moment I’m getting about 3-5 new optins a day through the blog for the free report – which is pretty pathetic (IMO) but I haven’t done too much work on this site yet so that’s better than nothing.
Contests. Contests were one of the things that grew this blog massively when it was just starting out… I plan to hold a few more. Probably just for cash, maybe for a few gadgets. The good thing about contests is that it’s win / win for all three parties, as long as they don’t happen too often. If prizes are sponsored, advertisers can generally get the same amount of exposure just by sponsoring a prize rather than buying a paid review, maybe even more exposure as with a paid review generally you tend to ignore them unless they’re of extreme interest. For example, at the moment I’m not really promoting paid advertising on this blog, however when I do so a review would cost at least $200 – $300.
Whereas if an advertiser sent me a cool music gadget or something funky to give away in a contest, something that would be worth maybe $100 maximum, this would cost less for them and also get more interest (people would read the post, and maybe even check out their website to find out how / what they could win. For me, I get to expand my reader base by bribing you guys with cool gadgets in the hope you stick around. For you guys, you have the chance to win stuff for doing relatively little work. Win / win / win.
This works for other niches too – for example you could give away one of those weight loss exercise machines (that cost $50-60) on a weight loss blog just for an optin. You’d get people interested in losing weight signing up just for a chance of winning, you might get other weight loss blogs linking to you, you could make it go viral if you require people to tell their friends… you get the idea.
Comments. Although I don’t have the time to leave hundreds of comments on blogs every day, I do have an evil strategy that will allow me to do this without spending too much of my own time (personalized comments, not spammy crap). I’m putting it into testing at the moment, but will update on how it goes. The good thing about comments is that you can get a lot of active visitors on your blog this way – if you comment on A’s blog, there’s a reasonable chance A will comment back if your blog is in the same niche, or that A’s readers will check you out if your comment looks interesting enough.
At the moment I have a list of around 20-30 blogs that I think provide interesting content and although I’ve fallen behind on doing so, I try to comment on them as often as possible when I have something useful to say (which isn’t very often, granted 
).
Increase traffic/conversion. This is probably the most important point in this list, which is why I’ve put it last. The problem most people don’t have bigger lists is because they don’t get the traffic. Common sense dictates that either increasing your traffic or conversion rate will mean your list grows.
For example:
100 visitors a day at a 3% conversion = 3 new optins a day.
200 visitors at 3% conversion = 6 new optins a day
100 visitors at 6% conversion = 6 new optins a day.
Either by increasing my traffic or my conversion rate, my list number will shoot up. Some of the above can help me do this - the theme would probably increase conversion rate, since I plan to have either a popup or a footer ad – it won’t be too annoying though, I promise! and things like contests, comments, SEO etc will increase traffic.
These are just some of the ways I plan to grow this blog. Nothing new really, but hopefully it’ll give you some ideas. Feel free to ask questions or give your own suggestions.
March 3rd, 2010 at 6:41 am
You can smash 10,000 Jason! I never signed up for the WSO guide cause I really have no idea what WSO is – so maybe that is stopping a lot of people. Can’t wait to see what you do with the design, are you going for a premium theme or a custom one?
Tom | Build That List´s last blog ..The 4 Reasons People Unsubscribe Mailing Lists
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iYingHang (2 comments) Reply:
March 3rd, 2010 at 9:06 am
Hey Tom,
WSO stands for Warrior Special Offers.
Cheers,
iYingHang
iYingHang´s last blog ..My Sifu Profit Seminar
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Tom | Build That List (4 comments) Reply:
March 3rd, 2010 at 10:35 am
Thanks! I have heard of the warrior forum, I will have to sign up and get active in there!
Tom | Build That List´s last blog ..The 4 Reasons People Unsubscribe Mailing Lists
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Jason (703 comments) Reply:
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Tom,
It’s basically a special offering in the internet marketing niche only made to people on the Warrior Forum. Although the thing that’s sold there most is eBooks, there’s also memberships, PLR stuff, graphics, services, sites etc. It’s a good place for information and to hire people for the more skilled jobs (for example, copywriting) that you generally won’t find on DP, oDesk, GAF etc.
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Tom | Build That List (4 comments) Reply:
March 3rd, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Nice! I just signed up the the Warrior Forum to check it all out!
Tom | Build That List´s last blog ..The 4 Reasons People Unsubscribe Mailing Lists
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March 3rd, 2010 at 7:11 am
I really liked this post. My blog is somewhat as you described above: it has good content, but no one even gives it a chance. I never thought that it had to do with just plain credibility shown through the number of followers.
I don’t want to get followers just to get followers however. I think you should be actually benefiting your followers. I know you are doing this though, because I am in fact one of your followers. Anyways great post!
Patrick Toerner´s last blog ..The Guide to Creating, Writing, and Selling an Ebook
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Jason (703 comments) Reply:
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:14 pm
Hey Patrick,
The problem is that there is so much ‘perceived’ quality content out there (for example A-List blogs) that people just don’t know where to subscribe. For example, looking for ‘quality’ blogs I’ve found at least 40-50 – it’s practically impossible for a person to go through those and read them daily, let alone interact / comment etc. So people tend (in my experience) to judge quality by social numbers – so the big get bigger and the medium-small stay as they are unless they do something to break out of the mold.
Good luck with your Million Dollar Goal – will be following it when possible. Glad you like the site!
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March 3rd, 2010 at 7:50 am
Your right, viewer is also called to be organic SEO and for me this is very effective to get high rank. So like what you’ve plan I develop my blog with this too.
Cheat Codes´s last blog ..Farmville Strategy Guide
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March 3rd, 2010 at 7:52 am
@Tom – WSO is a Warrior Special Offer. As an internet marketer, blogger, or anyone else along those lines you really should be a member of the Warrior Forum.
@Jason – You should have no problem getting to 10k subscribers in the next year (little less).
Trent Brownrigg´s last blog ..The Boring Way to Make Money Online
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Jason (703 comments) Reply:
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Trent,
I hope that reaching that goal is as easy as you (and a few others) think it will be
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March 3rd, 2010 at 12:25 pm
Jason I’m sure you can achieve this if you put your mind to it. The key thing about TUK is that you, more than anyone, put out fantastic quality articles and now you’re back it’s just really a matter of publicizing just how useful and actionable your content is.
Richard @ WpSplitTester Bonus´s last blog ..WpSplitTester Bonus Listings
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Jason (703 comments) Reply:
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:20 pm
Richard,
I’m glad you like the blog content.
Agreed that once you have the quality content, it’s a matter of promoting it – that said, there are dozens of blogs with high quality content and not a lot of subscribers. I think it’ll be a challenge but is definitely doable.
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March 3rd, 2010 at 2:04 pm
Oh no… tell me you won’t be putting up that stupid popup message right when I visit your site to sign up for your newsletter! I know you’re thinking about it man!
But with your skills, you should have no problem getting to 10k in less than a year. I mean, you’re already more than a third ways there.
Jay
Jay – DatMoney.com´s last blog ..Darren Rowses’ Face Is Everywhere!
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Jason (703 comments) Reply:
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:18 pm
I’ll set the popup to show double the times it normally should for you, mate. Or maybe a few more than that depending on how I’m feeling
I think Aweber makes it a lot easier for people to subscribe to the site – it also makes it a lot easier for unsubscribe, but let’s hope few take this option.
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Jay - DatMoney.com (12 comments) Reply:
March 5th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
Lol I already figured you would do it. And I heard that it actually works… but I just think its annoying.
And feel free to do it as much as you want… just switch your RSS feed e-mails to full text instead of summary and we’re good!
Jay
Jay – DatMoney.com´s last blog ..How I Plan On Getting Accepted Into Google News
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Jason (703 comments) Reply:
March 7th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
I’ll talk to you when you’re next on Yahoo about this :s
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March 3rd, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Well, good luck with your plan. All that you have pointed out will catch a subscriber, but only good content will keep it.
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Jason (703 comments) Reply:
March 3rd, 2010 at 5:26 pm
Good point mate. I can employ all the viral tactics, tricks and moves in the book to increase the subscriber count, but they’ll only stick around if I put out quality content.
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March 3rd, 2010 at 5:44 pm
I like your plan, Jason! I also like how you’re planning on adding a new “killer” incentive for subscribers. To be frank, I don’t even know what an WSO is… I’m looking forward to watching this blog grow!
Nick Tart´s last blog ..Interview: Keith J. Davis Jr., Entrepreneur of All Trades
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Jason (703 comments) Reply:
March 7th, 2010 at 3:31 pm
I’ve just completed a 45+ page Adsense guide that I’ll be replacing the WSO one with. There’ll be some huge changes on here in the next couple weeks, which I hope most of you guys will like.
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March 3rd, 2010 at 10:31 pm
It sounds like you’ve got some ideas set up for how you’re going to get this done. Looks good!
Eric´s last blog ..Build Your Blog With Fire In Mind
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March 4th, 2010 at 4:34 am
@Jason
yup your write but after a year there are emerging internet marketing awaits and that is a dog-eat-dog for all of us depending in this business
Cheat Codes´s last blog ..Farmville Strategy Guide
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March 5th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Hi Jason,
I love your outlined plan. One good thing is that it will make u=you unconsciously accountable to us your readers too.
Thanks for the comment on my blog.
Cheers
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March 8th, 2010 at 3:36 pm
Interesting strategy quite realistic too. I wish you success in your journey and hope that you reach your target before the deadline that you have set for yourself. I look forward to seeing the things that you have listed happening.
Nicole Price´s last blog ..Great Gift Ideas for the Elderly
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March 9th, 2010 at 12:26 pm
Hello just testing KeywordLuv thank you very much.
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March 9th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Waoh, it is a big goalyou have set, i wish you a big luck and determination to reach this goal!
Being active on forums could be a good way too to drive traffic to your blog. ^^
Sushie@ how to lose weight´s last blog ..Low carb diet
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March 10th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
Thanks for sharing your goal. I’m sure you already have an action plan
Latief | Another Blogger´s last blog ..Join LinkedIn And Promote Your Blog
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March 10th, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Good post, Jason!
With a decent theme with proper call-to-action, etc, you shouldn’t have any problems getting up to 10-15% conversions even. Plus, you may toss up a squeeze page you can build a list from, too. If done well, that can go up to 30-35% which means good amount of subs from there too.
One thing I’ve learned from reading this post and your comments is that the WSO thingy is not as popular as I thought it’d be.
And as far as keeping those subscribers goes, you’ll get almost the same amount of unsubscribes if you’re doin’ too much of ‘in-your-face’ marketing or producing stellar content – at least that’s what I have experienced.
Good luck matey!
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Jason (703 comments) Reply:
March 10th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
This is the reason I spam you every day on Skype for NLP / hypnosis stuff, free advice FTW.
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March 10th, 2010 at 7:50 pm
I go with you jason…people always think that if a blog has huge number of subscribers you are the best…true to some extent…it is the first one year during which we need to struggle so hard to build confidence in them…once we are done with it we succeed
infopediaonlinehere´s last blog ..Google App Engine technologies, Google App Engine SDK, Google cloud computing google app engine
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March 11th, 2010 at 4:07 am
It is good to have an aim but sometimes one cannot catch the aim.For example I intent to get 30000 visitor per a day in this year but I couldnt.
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March 13th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
I like the plan, and hope that you’ll keep us posted with your progress.
I see this morning what one of the killer incentives is to stay subscribed!
Looking forward to reading it.
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March 15th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Cool bro… I think in this way you can surely increase your subscriber count
Pubudu Kodikara´s last blog ..Contest Updated : Win a (BitDefender Internet Security 2010) + ($15 in Cash or A Copy of 31 Days to Build a Better Blog)
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March 15th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
I was also thinking for more and improved ways for promoting my blog with the targeted visitors.
You are leading due to new and awesome ideas that I was also thinking about but was not sure that how to do the start.
Thanks.
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March 19th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
[...] How I Plan To Take This Blog To 10,000 Subscribers [...]
March 28th, 2010 at 2:49 am
Jason, I too am looking to promote my blog and get new readers. You’ve shared really valuable tips. Thank you
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April 1st, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Thats a great way listed here to make an awesome boost in the subscriber list. Hope will much help me and other readers…
Prav´s last blog ..WHY AND WHERE TO SUBMIT THE SITES FREE….?
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April 23rd, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Very good ideas to get suscribers, especially the killer incentive, good luck!
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June 17th, 2010 at 5:12 am
Good luck with your plan. Looks as though you have a lot of ideas to make it work out.
Phil´s last blog ..BulkOfficeSupply
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July 14th, 2010 at 3:38 pm
So, how many subscribers do you currently have? I do like your strategy of that box popping up when you first hit the site to enter your email for the book–that’s killer!
Beyonce Posters´s last blog ..Beyonce Posters
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