However, using third-party services, you can still offer your visitors the chance to join your list of followers (or, more accurately, subscribe to email updates) on your Blogger website. Here's how you can approach it:
1. Use a Third-Party Email Marketing Service (Recommended)
This is the most robust and future-proof solution. Many email marketing services offer free plans for small lists and provide widgets or forms that you can easily embed on your Blogger site. They also give you more control over your email content, subscriber management, and analytics.
Popular options include:
Mailchimp: Very popular, offers a generous free plan for up to 2,000 subscribers, and has easy-to-use form builders.
MailerLite: Simple, user-friendly, with a good free plan.
AWeber: Offers a free tier with basic features.
Follow.it: A good alternative specifically for RSS feed-to-email services, similar to what Feedburner used to offer.
How to implement a third-party email subscription:
Sign up for an account with your chosen email marketing service.
Create a new email list or audience within the service.
Design a subscription form or widget. Most services offer various types (embedded form, pop-up, sticky bar, etc.).
Get the embed code. The service will provide an HTML code snippet for your form.
Add the code to your Blogger layout:
Go to your Blogger dashboard.
Navigate to Layout.
Click "Add a Gadget" where you want the subscription form to appear (e.g., sidebar, footer).
Select HTML/JavaScript.
Paste the embed code into the "Content" box.
Give it a title (e.g., "Get Updates by Email," "Join My Newsletter").
Click Save.
Consider offering an incentive (lead magnet): To encourage sign-ups, you might offer something valuable in exchange for their email address, like a free checklist, e-book, exclusive content, or a discount code.
2. Use Blogger's Native "Followers" Gadget (for Google Accounts)
Blogger still has a "Followers" gadget that allows users with Google accounts to publicly follow your blog. This isn't an email subscription, but it does mean they'll see your updates in their Blogger Reading List if they use that feature.
How to add the "Followers" gadget:
Go to your Blogger dashboard.
Navigate to Layout.
Click "Add a Gadget" where you want it to appear.
Find and select the Followers gadget from the list.
You can set a title (e.g., "Follow Me").
Click Save.
3. Encourage Social Media Following:
While not a direct email list, promoting your social media channels where you share updates can also help build a loyal audience.
Tips to encourage followers and subscribers:
Prominently display your subscription form/follower gadget: Make it easy for visitors to find. Place it in your sidebar, at the end of blog posts, or even as a pop-up (if using a third-party service).
Have a clear Call to Action (CTA): Tell people why they should follow or subscribe. What value will they get? (e.g., "Get exclusive tips," "Never miss a new post," "Receive behind-the-scenes content").
Create valuable content: The best way to get followers is to consistently provide high-quality content that resonates with your audience.
Promote your blog on social media: Share your blog posts and encourage your social media followers to visit your blog and subscribe.
Engage with your audience: Respond to comments on your blog and social media.
Link to your subscription page/widget in your email signature.
By combining a strong email marketing strategy with Blogger's built-in "Followers" gadget and social media promotion, you can effectively grow your audience and keep them engaged.
