On many blogs you see the little Feedcount Chicklet by Feedburner that gives you a current number of RSS Subscribers for that blog. The number changes daily, and basically it tells you the number of people who subscribe to the feed that accessed the RSS Feed in that 24 hour period.
You'll see my chicklet over to the top right, just below my picture. Today its reading 1176 subscribers. It usually floats around the 600 mark, but last Friday it jumped dramatically to show 1891 subscribers - appearing to triple overnight.
What happened - unannounced by both parties, mind you - is that Feedburner integrated Aweber's Blog Broadcaster into their feed stats. What this means is that if you use Aweber to provide email notification for your blog readers, Feedburner now includes the number of people who subscribe to your feed via email (instead of just those using RSS readers to view your feed).
Blog Broadcaster is a great feature by Aweber that allows you to build a mailing list or a database of loyal blog readers. It is all automated, and simply uses your feed to create an email each time you publish a new blog post, or for every 3 posts (or whatever interval you set it to). Its a great way to keep in touch with your readers, and keep them updated about the new content on your blog.
No matter how cool RSS is, there are some people that simply prefer the traditional email format. My own stats have shown an equal share between Email subscribers and RSS subscribers, so I would certainly recommend that you offer both options if you have a blog of your own.
And while there are several methods of setting up email notification on a blog, Aweber is the best choice. I say that because they allow you to customize the confirmation and follow-up emails, you actually own the mailing list you build, and you can email your subscribers directly if you choose.
Anyway, several people have asked me about the subscriber count doubling or tripling over the last few days, so hopefully this clears up the big mystery 😉
Here are some links for those of you left with questions:
Feedburner: http://www.FeedBurner.com
Aweber: http://sswt.aweber.com
AWeber Announces FeedBurner RSS-To-Email Integration
Best,
Technorati Tags: feedburner, aweber, blog broadcaster, rss, feed
About Lynn Terry
Nice explanation Lynn. It's a shame aweber costs so much, as it seems to have nice features. I guess if you want loads of autoresponders, then the cost is probably not much, but when you're starting out, and only need one or two, it seems quite a lot.
Ta ra
J
Yeah,
you are right Juliette, Aweber it costs a lot... i am a starter (maybe like you) but i am seriuously considering purchasing Aweber because everyday i read positive news about it =)
Thanks Lynn for the post,
Nicola ^_^
Hi Juliette,
They do offer great features, so its certainly worth the 19.95/mo for an account. Particularly since they allow you to set up unlimited autoresponders, mailing lists & blog broadcasters from the one account.
While I realize there are free alternatives out there, none of them stack up to the features & reliability of Aweber - which is why I advise people to go ahead and start out there with their list building. Ultimately everyone ends up "moving up" to Aweber and moving lists is a big ordeal - usually resulting in a 90% loss of a hard-earned list.
Its definitely worth it to start and keep your lists with Aweber. Email Marketing can make a considerable enough difference to your online business to make it WELL worth it 😉
Thanks for the comments both of you.
As we run our own server here, we are actually thinking about hiring someone on RentACoder to write a responder for us. The basic of this are actually pretty simple, so it shouldn't be too costly to get something decent done.
The advantage would be that we would only have to pay for it once, and we would have complete control over it. Given the low cost of development on RAC, I reckon we could recoup our costs within a year. After that, it would be completely free.
I realise that this is unusual, and that for most people this isn't an option, but it's not actually that hard to run your own server. If you have a decent broadband connection, you can do it easily.
Ta ra
J
Two things to consider, though: 1) your ISP may close your account without warning the minute they notice the bulk email activity (and they will). I've seen this happen to two friends of mine over the years. And 2) If your mailserver gets blocked by various ISPs across the net, you'll have a hard getting that block lifted. Companies like Aweber have a lot of pull in that respect, and can get blocks lifted. Not so easy for independents. That's the reason Aweber touts the "highest delivery rate in the industry".
Just FYI - for consideration in the decision.
Hi Lynn,
Thanks for the heads-up. We actually use a mailbox on our ISP's servers, and we checked with them about sending bulk mail before starting this.
One of the reasons we did it this way instead of sending from our own mail server (which we use to handle incoming for all the different domains) was so that we didn't have to worry about setting up the various anti-spam measures. The ISP already has that, so we didn't need to bother.
Thanks,
J
Hi Lynn,
It's fun to see your subscriber count jump like that, isn't it?
I'm hoping that reporting those subscriber numbers to FeedBurner highlights for bloggers what Internet marketers like you and your readers already know -- there's a lot of value in building your email list!
Thanks for being a fan of AWeber, and helping spread the word about this integration!
Great info Lynn
Being a newbie and searching for solutions myself, I have decided on AWeber. It was between them and another service. I actually was leaning towards the other (no names). Then, after a little digging I start to notice alot of negative comments regarding their service. At the same time everyone is touting AWeber. I took another look and decided that AWeber is my first choice. I will be setting up an account this week.
Al
Smart choice, Al - its always a good idea to do a few searches for reviews & feedback before diving in. You'll be very pleased with Aweber 😉
Thanks for the explanation Lynn,
I was aware that the integration had occurred because I too am an AWEBER user.
Like Al, above, I too searched the web for comparisons and originally went with the other guy (the other big autoresponder). I found it hard to use and hard to get guidance from so, since I didn't have a list to speak of yet anyway, switched a few months ago.
The difference is (was) immediately noticeable. AWEBER's customer service, training for newbies, and just plain showing that they care made a world of difference. I too am now a big AWEBER fan.
Duane
Hello Lynn,
Thanks for the insight. My website is only two years old and i am doing well with search engine traffic and referral sites, but no traffic comes back . I have heard a lot about mailing lists and Aweber and would want to subscribe now. Can i use your affiliate link to join for giving me this insight
Sure, the link is http://sswt.aweber.com
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Lynn,
Thank you so much for mentioning this. I would have missed the big news (for a while anyway) otherwise.
This new feature is a really big deal for me because I am also an Aweber user and have a large list. This will be a great benefit for my readers.
I do want to make a comment on the cost of Aweber. It is worth every penny!
I've had a list of newsletter subscribers for over 12 years and have some email horror stories from years gone by that still make me shudder. Aweber was my solution and I think this service is a must for anyone with a list or who is serious about building one.
Keep up the good work!
😉 Robert
Lynn,
This is great news for so many of us. It is nice to have you explain what is going on for those that wondered how your count jumped over night. Some may have thought you had a big secret you were not sharing. lol.
Hello Lynn and readers,
thanks to your post(s), finally i got "the" decision and i jumped into Aweber wagon: i have just purchased my account 🙂
p.s. using Lynn's affiliate link 😉
Thanks 😉
Nah - no secrets here! 😀
Being new to all of this I am amazaed at the amount of traffic being generated. I will look a little closer at the sysytems you are using
Aweber is also one of a few "white list".
Therefore the emails will be delivered easier while the other service providers gave me a hard time dealing with the spam filter.
Anyway, giving both options to the subscribers is the way to go, but you need to aware one thing that... when you work on your ezine, you'll get the subscribers' email addresses which may lead to sale easier...
I started using Aweber a year ago even when I couldn't justify the expense when I had only one mailing list and thought I did not need all the features it offered. I had tried several low cost /no cost autoresponders in the past but nothing compares and now that I have this service available to me, I am adding lists and utilizing many of the great features. I would not want to try to function with out it. I just started using the blog broadcast I am excited about that and can't wait to see my stats go up!
Thanks Lynn for sharing this great info, I hope more marketers switch over.
Hello Robin,
the same for me: i got my Aweber account even if my internet income is actually pretty close to zero 😉
Also, i live in Italy and here the market is very different: to make an example, no one use autoresponder/follow-up here.... I think i should start at some point, and maybe is true that "to make money you should invest some money first".
BTW,
for what i see in my first look at Aweber, this is the most complete Mailing List software i have seen ever: my compliments to the staff 🙂
Just one think (that i will communicate them): please let us personalize the "link confirmation" part of the message, i would love to switch it in italian language (and i cannot modify it actually).
Cheers,
Nicola
Regarding:
Robin's Feb 9th, I think you made the right choice doing it: "I had only one mailing list". My reasoning is that it is best to learn a new system when you don't have the pressure as opposed to learning it at crunch time. Less fires to put out.
Nicola's Feb 10th, "Also, i live in Italy and here the market is very different", when read it sounds like you are marketing only to Italy. You have the entire globe at your finger tips. Creative web design requests can originate from anywhere. That is the beauty of the internet.
I'm new here and the last thing I want to do is upset anyone but I did notice this and just want to offer my input. Nicola, please don't take this the wrong way as it isn't meant to be mean in any way. But I was curious about your site, which is very nice, I noticed that your title, header, html (mostly),and google adwords are in english while the rest of your site is in italian. I'll guess that with the exception of google, this is for SEO. My concern would be the conversion rate. If I do not speak italian, I'm probably moving on.
I just did a fast google for "webpage translation plug in" and the first listed was:
http://www.nothing2hide.net/wp-plugins/wordpress-global-translator-plugin/
I only found it, didn't investigate it but, think something like this would be of value to you. I guess basically valuable to all of us. As we all probably see things thru our own "language" eyes.
Again, only trying to help 🙂
Al
Hello Al,
thanks for your input, i appreciate it.
You pointed out one of my main challenge ever: writing in italian or in english, for the italian market of for the entire world.
You know, i managed in the past some websites in english language, but to me it's always requesting so many efforts (consider the time to write this very post, as i have to translate every single word...).
It led me to a decision: today, to get brandship and to maintain a good audience, you should write very useful content, and i am simply not able to do that in english.... so i decided to *focus* my attention to my market, even if very different.
An example: you noticed that i have english words in my meta-tags: well, italian people is more prone to seek the web using english keywords 😉 if i look through google sandbox tool, i will find that "web design" is more attractive than "progettazione siti web" in my market, so that's why i use some english word in my meta-tags.... funny isn't it?
BTW, i will look through that plugin you indicated me... maybe i will include some english posts in my website, to get some SERP result under my .it domain, but who knows? today SEO must be very focused, and i feel that writing a couple of pages would not be enough to reach an international audience....
What is your opinion?
Thanks again for the ideas you share 😀
I didn't comment on this post few days ago because I want to take time to read later. Now, I’ve done that. All I will say is a big "THANK YOU" for generously sharing this.
Since I am going to start blogging again this year, post like this certainly is a big resource for me. It came at the right time. Thanks again 🙂
Hi Nicola
I can understand your challenges. I am not an expert but, from what I have been learning with mass control, here are some suggestions. Some are obvious but, sometimes we over think and miss the obvious. Also, I do not know what steps you may have already taken. So I will just say what comes to my mind. Ready:
1. Search your keywords on Google Italian (I found it by going to news then at the bottom clicking Italy then on the Italy news page clicked on the Google next to the search box, here is a results page for: web design, http://www.google.com/search?hl=it&q=web+design&lr=
2. Look at all of the unpaid results for the first 3 or 4 pages. Take a close look at what they are doing to get there. Keywords, added value...
3. What can you do to get above them. Can you offer a free web design tipsheet, a How To pdf, anything that the "do it yourself" person can have for free without signing up. This will build your credibility as an expert, a person they can turn to for help.
4. Offer free WordPress or website templates.
5. Then start a newsletter on web design and your visitors will sign up for it.
My opinion on web design is that for easy things the average person will try it but, for harder things they will turn to an expert. Similar to an electrician: I can change a lightbuld but when it comes to wiring my house - I call an electrician.
That's all I have time for right now, I'm still a slave during the day. Hopefully that changes, I want my freedom!!! 🙂
Al
Does this help:
Hi Nicola Posso capire le vostre sfide. Non sono un esperto ma, da che cosa sto imparando con controllo totale, qui sono alcuni suggerimenti. Alcuni sono evidenti ma, a volte eccedenza pensiamo e manchiamo il evidente. Inoltre, non conosco che misure potete già prendere. Così dirò appena che cosa viene alla mia mente. Aspetti: 1. Cerchi le vostre parole chiavi sull'italiano di Google (lo ho trovato andando alle notizie allora all'Italia scattantesi inferiore allora alla pagina di notizie dell'Italia scattata sul Google vicino alla scatola di ricerca, qui sono una pagina di risultati per: disegno di fotoricettore, http://www.google.com/search?hl=it&q=web+design&lr = sguardo 2. affatto dei risultati non pagati per le prime 3 o 4 pagine. Dia un'occhiata vicina a che cosa stanno facendo per ottenere là . Parole chiavi, valore aggiunto... 3. che cosa può voi fare per ottenere sopra loro. Potete offrire un tipsheet libero di disegno di fotoricettore, come al pdf, qualche cosa che "faccialo voi stessi" persona può avere per libero senza firmare in su. Ciò svilupperà la vostra credibilità come esperto, una persona che possono girare per in aiuto. 4. Offerta mascherine libere di Web site o di WordPress. 5. Allora inizi un bollettino sul disegno di fotoricettore ed i vostri ospiti firmeranno in su per esso. Il mio parere sul disegno di fotoricettore è quello per le cose che facili la persona media lo proverà ma, dato che cose più dure gireranno verso un esperto. Simile ad un elettricista: Posso cambiare un lightbuld ma quando viene a legare la mia casa - io denomino un elettricista. Quello è tutto che abbia tempo per ora, io sono ancora uno schiavo durante il giorno. Eventualmente quel cambiamenti, desidero la mia libertà !!! 🙂
Hello Al,
thanks a lot for your tips.
I will look deeply through those "web design" keyphrase top-ranks to try "beating" them 😉
Also, i will try to provide some valuable content for free to my visitors, hopefully they'll become readers of my newsletter.
In the meantime, i am looking for that translate-plugin, i installed it on another website of mine and it works ok 🙂 i am goign to integrate it on my main website.
Thanks for everything.
Cheers from Italy, Nicola
Offering both method of subscribing (Email and RSS) is the best way to go about this. Reason for this that most of the readers are just more used to email system than RSS.
I agree. As I said in the original post, I have an equal share of subscribers between RSS and email - so you definitely want to offer both options.