In this episode of Confessions of a Christian Blogger, we dive into what to include in your email newsletter to engage your audience and achieve your goals. Building on the previous episode about growing your email list, we discuss when to start emailing your subscribers and how to craft newsletters tailored to your objectives—whether promoting blog posts, products, or personal updates. From frequency to content styles, experimenting with formats, and learning from your audience, this episode offers practical tips and real-life examples to help you create newsletters that resonate.

Visit me at my website: https://www.stephenjbedard.com

In this episode of Confessions of a Christian Blogger, we dive into one of the most critical strategies for growing a successful blog: building your email list. Starting with the four essential words every digital marketer knows — Grow Your Email List — we explore why this is so important and how to get started, even if you're new to email marketing.

1. Why Build an Email List?

   • It helps you connect directly with your audience and ensures your posts reach them beyond social media algorithms.

2. Getting Started with Email Marketing:

   • Use a service like Mailchimp (free accounts are a great place to start).
   • Keep your sign-up forms simple — just ask for an email address and a name.

3. Techniques for Growing Your List:

   • Embed a sign-up form on your website’s homepage.
   • Use a pop-up form to boost visibility (it works, even if you personally dislike pop-ups).

4. Lead Magnets:

   • Offer a free resource (like an eBook, video, or PDF) to encourage sign-ups.
   • Tailor this resource to your audience’s interests to maximize engagement.

5. Ethical Practices:

   • Always get permission before adding someone to your list.
   • Avoid purchasing email lists or adding people without consent — this aligns with integrity, especially as Christian bloggers.

The episode concludes by emphasizing the importance of starting an email list as soon as possible, even if growth is slow. Building a list ensures a solid foundation for future engagement and success.

Stay tuned for the next episode, where we’ll discuss how to engage with your audience once your email list is up and running!

You can find my embedded form on this page: https://www.stephenjbedard.com/start-here/

In this episode of Confessions of a Christian Blogger, the host reflects on the process of launching the podcast and the importance of intentional promotion for Christian content creators. Initially planning to discuss a different topic, the host shifts focus to share their experiences with podcasting as part of their personal and professional journey.

They describe how their previous podcasts relied on organic growth but emphasize that the increasingly crowded podcasting landscape now requires more strategic efforts to build an audience. For this new podcast, they implemented a launch strategy involving email newsletters, animated ads, social media posts, and YouTube Shorts to promote the content effectively. These efforts resulted in an immediate increase in listeners, highlighting the value of active promotion.

The episode concludes with a lesson for Christian bloggers: creating quality content isn't enough—intentional effort is required to get that content in front of the right audience. Listeners are encouraged to take action by identifying something they can launch and brainstorming ways to promote it using existing resources or partnerships.

The host closes by teasing next week's planned topic, email lists, while leaving room for flexibility in the discussion.

You can find my other podcasts at https://www.stephenjbedard.com/podcasts

In this episode of Confessions of a Christian Blogger, the host explores a key question: Should Christian bloggers make money from their work? Reflecting on biblical teachings about greed and personal experiences, the host addresses the tension between faith-based blogging and monetization. They explain that while creating content to bless others is admirable, blogging also incurs costs—such as time, research, and technical expenses—that justify earning some income.

The host shares their own approach to monetization, including receiving support through Patreon, using affiliate links, and placing Google ads on their site. They clarify that earning money isn’t inherently wrong, citing examples like pastors, teachers, and writers who are compensated for their work. Ultimately, the host encourages listeners to reflect on their own blogging goals and decide if monetizing aligns with their mission.

The episode concludes with a call to engage further: follow the host on Twitter/X (@SJBedard) and explore ways to support their work. (http://www.patreon.com/hopesreason)

In this episode of Confessions of a Christian Blogger, I take a trip down memory lane to share how I got started in blogging and podcasting. From my first blog on Blogger to managing multiple niche sites on apologetics, leadership, disability ministry, and Christian history, I reflect on the successes, missteps, and lessons learned. Hear how my diverse interests led to a "beautiful mess" of content and why I'm rethinking my approach to bring it all under the banner of "Thoughtful Reflections on Faith and Life." Join me as I share my journey and plans for the future!

Visit me at:

http://www.stephenjbedard.com

http://www.historyofchristianitypodcast.com

http://www.disabilityandchurch.com

http://www.jesusmyththeory.com

In this episode, Stephen Bedard shares his journey as a faith-based blogger navigating the challenges of a rapidly changing blogging landscape. He reflects on his struggles with declining views, limited resources, and the difficulty of monetization, while committing to revitalizing his blog and sharing his experiences in real-time. This podcast offers an honest, Christian perspective on blogging, inviting listeners to join him on this journey of experimentation, learning, and perseverance.

Visit http://www.stephenjbedard.com

Follow at https://www.facebook.com/ConfessionsChristianBlogger and https://www.x.com/sjbedard