As we dig into List Building For Bloggers together in our LBFB Series, you’ll notice that the Introduction and first chapter discuss the value of your mailing list.

Phil explains why Email Marketing should be a higher priority than other marketing mediums. And I agree 100%. Both from experience, and by looking at my stats…

Seth Godin made a strong point in his Appreciation at the beginning of the guide, which is not just a random statement but based on actual stats and true comparisons from his own blog:

“Email is ten times more impactful and responsive than just about any form of media ever developed.” -Seth Godin, page viii

I’ll admit it: Email Marketing has not always been MY top priority. From building my lists to nurturing my lists, even I have let it fall to the side now and then.

I’m not proud of that fact, of course. I could give you any number of reasons (um, excuses) including the fact that so many new marketing mediums are now vying for my time and attention.

Why Aren’t Email Lists Extinct in the Age of Social Media?

^ This is actually the title of Chapter One in List Building for Bloggers, and Phil does a great job explaining why we should not ignore Email Marketing in favor of new mediums such as Facebook and Twitter.

We’re all different in the way that we do things, but if I look at my own subscriptions and sources – and how I manage those – email definitely gets my attention over all the others.

I rarely read my Tweet stream anymore, I’m bad about keeping up with the content in my Feed Readers, and while I try to check in with my Facebook content stream a few times a day I’m still missing tons of information there.

Email, on the other hand, is there anytime I want to access it. Even offline. And I tend to give email subscriptions the most attention.

Like I said, we all operate differently, but no matter how WE do it… WE are not the majority. As marketers we have to appreciate and respect the fact that most people still place a higher priority on their email, and that it is simply the easiest and most personal place to reach someone that specifically requested updates from you.

Not to mention the fact that not everyone has a Facebook account or a Twitter account. But everyone does have an email account.

Add to those thoughts that most people have smart phones these days, so you don’t just reach them – you can often reach them in their back pocket. I know for me personally, I no longer sit down to email at my desk once or a twice a day – I now check it as it comes in and keep an eye on it more closely than ever. And yes, I check my incoming email A LOT more than I check my social media channels.

Is Your Mailing List Your TOP Priority?

Read through (or back through) the Appreciation, Introduction and Chapter One of List Building For Bloggers. I don’t know about you, but these sections alone got me excited about Email Marketing all over again!

It’s so easy to get caught up in other marketing strategies, or ignore Email Marketing because of personal blocks (what to send, when to send it, HOW to send it, etc). As we kick off this series I thought it would be fun to discuss some of our excuses reasons for NOT making our mailing lists our top priority…

Leave a comment below, and let the discussion begin!

Best,

p.s. If you don’t yet have a copy of List Building For Bloggers, and you want to follow along in the series this month, grab a copy here and use the coupon code “clicknewz” for $10 off. That makes it only $14.95!