Blogger: Tracking Email Subscriptions

In my previous blogs on 'Destination Marketing' I suggested Blogger/Blogspot as a useful alternative or addition to web sites for micro businesses. In 'With a Little Help From Your Friends' I gave an example of how information, shared amongst online networks, can help you keep up to speed with new developments in the rapidly changing digital environment. Another route to useful information, especially with new hardware, software or when adding applications to your online activity, is to review FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) or online forums associated with your new installations. This will help identify potential problems or shortcuts and lead to practical advice at an early stage. Or, as in the following example, track down solutions that are otherwise obscured or beyond the immediate reach of Internet virgins.

Earlier this month I installed a 'Follow By Email' function to this blog (towards the top of the right-hand panel). This allows subscribers to be notified by email each time new material is added to my Home page. The function has a number of refinements that can be added at will, including the ability to review the list of email subscribers - obviously a useful way of measuring performance. When I checked the Blogger FAQs and Forums it was apparent that a number of users were having difficulty in finding their subscribers' list and had submitted search queries on the subject. Other members had provided advice in response.

This having said, the instructions given for this fairly complicated process are by no means clear to those without a degree of familiarity with navigation around Blogger functions. So, to make life easier, I will begin at the very beginning.

Installing the Blogger 'Follow By Email' Option

• Sign in to your Blogger/Google account.
• From your Blogger Dashboard, click on 'Design' to go to 'Add and Arrange Page Elements'.
• A number of positions/sizes are possible for adding a new element. In my case, most add-ons are positioned in the right hand column of this blog.
• Make your choice and click on 'Add a Gadget'.
• A list of functions will appear in the pop-up box. Click on 'Follow by Email' and save.
• The email subscriber function will automatically be directed to your blog and appear as a new page element that can be repositioned as required.

Tracking Email Subscribers

• Once 'Follow by Email' is installed, return to 'Dashboard' >> 'Design'. The 'Follow By Email' box will appear as one of the page elements.
• Click on the 'Edit' link in the email box.
• In the pop-up 'Configure Follow by Email' box, click on 'View stats and learn more'.
• A new pop-up, 'My Feeds', will appear. The name of your blog will be shown under 'Feed Title', together with the number of subscribers. Click on your blog name.
• On the new page, click on the 'Publicize' tab.
• On the next new page, click on 'Email Subscriptions' on the left. (This will be ticked to signify that the function is live.)
• On the next new page, scroll down to the very bottom and click on 'View Subscriber Details'. Your subscriber list, including dates of subscriptions, can now be viewed.
• In this mode you can delete unwanted subscribers, export the list as a CSV (Comma Separated Values) database, or elect to be informed by email when users unsubscribe.

It is well worth exploring the other tabs in this mode to decide whether some of the more sophisticated options are relevant to your purposes. At the very least, the 'Analyze' tab gives on overview of Feed stats over pre-selected periods.