5 Simple Ways to Grow Your Email List

A few years ago, I watched a business owner post a tearful video after losing her entire Instagram account overnight. Years of content, thousands of followers, and a steady stream of sales—gone with no warning.

She had no way to reach her audience. No backup plan. And no control over what happened next.

Sadly, this isn’t a rare story. It happens all the time.

And it’s exactly why I’m here to tell you:

🚨 Your email list is the most valuable marketing asset you own. 🚨

Think about it, when you prioritize building your email list, you create a direct, reliable, and high-converting way to stay connected with your audience—no algorithms, no disappearing accounts, just results.

So let’s talk about why growing your email list should be your #1 marketing priority—and how you can start today.

Your Email List Is Your Most Valuable Business Asset

Think about the biggest moments in your business—launching a new offer, filling spots in a program, announcing a sale.

Now imagine having an engaged email list that’s ready and excited to buy.

🚀 Launching a new product? Your email list gives you instant customers.
🚀 Need to book more clients? Email is the highest-converting platform.
🚀 Running a sale? Your subscribers already trust you, so they buy faster.

Compare that to social media, where posts disappear in hours, algorithms limit your reach, and you’re hoping people see your content.

Your email list is predictable, powerful, and proven to drive revenue.

If you want a marketing channel that actually grows with your business, email is the way to go.

Let’s Talk Numbers

If you’re wondering whether email marketing is worth the effort, let’s talk ROI (return on investment).

📩 For every $1 spent on email marketing, businesses see an average return of $36.

That’s higher than social media, SEO, paid ads, and every other marketing channel combined.

Why? Because email marketing gives you:
🔥 Direct access to your audience—no fighting for attention in a noisy feed.
🔥 Higher engagement rates—people check their email daily.
🔥 More conversions—subscribers are already interested in what you offer, as they are a “warm” lead vs. a cold one.

If you’ve ever poured money into Instagram ads, crossed your fingers, and hoped for the best… you know how unpredictable social media marketing can be.

With email, it’s different. You control the conversation. You build relationships. You create consistent revenue.

It’s why every major brand—prioritizes email marketing. Because it works.

HOW TO GET STARTED WITH EMAIL MARKETING

Before you start growing your email list, you need to have the right foundation in place. Setting up your email marketing system doesn’t have to be overwhelming—just follow these three simple steps, and you’ll be ready to start collecting subscribers in no time.

1. Set Up Your Email Service Provider (ESP)

Your Email Service Provider (ESP) is the platform that lets you collect, store, and email your subscribers. There are a lot of great options out there, but the key is choosing one that’s easy to use and fits your needs.

Some of the most popular ESPs include:
Kit – My personal favorite! I’ve used it for myself and many clients for years. Kit’s free plan has everything you need to get started—from automated email sequences to beautifully designed opt-in forms. Click here to start your free trial with Kit.
MailerLite – A great beginner-friendly option with solid automation features.
ActiveCampaign – Best for advanced automation and segmentation.
Flodesk – Perfect for visually stunning email designs.

Once you’ve chosen your ESP, set up your account and create your first email list—this is where your new subscribers will go when they sign up.

2. Create Your Lead Magnet

Now that your ESP is ready, it’s time to give people a reason to join your list. That’s where a lead magnet comes in.

A lead magnet is a free resource that you offer in exchange for an email address. It should be something valuable and specific that your audience actually wants.

Need ideas? Try one of these:
📌 A free checklist or template
📌 A short guide or eBook
📌 A mini video training
📌 A discount or special offer (for eCommerce brands)

💡 Pro Tip: Your lead magnet should be closely connected to your paid offer so that your new subscribers are already interested in what you sell.

3. Set Up Your Landing Page & Opt-in Form

Now that you have your lead magnet, you need a way to collect emails. That’s where a landing page with an opt-in form comes in.

Your landing page should:
📌 Clearly explain the benefit of your lead magnet
📌 Include an easy-to-fill opt-in form
📌 Have a strong call-to-action (CTA) like “Download Now”

Most ESPs (including Kit) have built-in landing pages and forms, so you don’t need fancy website tools to set this up! Just connect your form to your email list, and you’re ready to start collecting subscribers.

Next: Grow Your List with Ready-to-Buy Subscribers

Once you’ve set up your ESP, lead magnet, and opt-in form, it’s time for the fun part—growing your email list with engaged, ready-to-buy subscribers.

5 Simple Ways to Grow Your Email List

Your email list is one of your most powerful business assets. It’s not subject to algorithms, it’s not dependent on a social platform staying popular, and—best of all—it gives you direct access to the people who actually want to hear from you.

But how do you grow it without spending a fortune on ads?
Here are 5 simple, free, and highly effective ways to start growing your list right away.

1. Leverage Social Media Like a Pro

Social media is more than just a place to post content—it can be a goldmine for growing your list.

Sure, you can put the link to your freebie in your bio (and you should), but there’s so much more you can do:

• Use ManyChat to set up automations that send your freebie link when someone comments on a specific post or DMs you a keyword.

• Create a post once a week that’s designed purely for list growth, with a call to action like, “Comment ‘Checklist’ below and I’ll send you my free [name of freebie]!”

• Add your opt-in link to Instagram Stories with a sticker button or swipe-up link (if available).

Why this works:
You’re turning casual scrollers into email subscribers, and you’re making it super easy for them to join your list without hunting for the link.

Action Step:
Set up one automation this week and create one list-building post for each platform you use.

2. Add CTAs to Your Long-Form Content

If you’re creating YouTube videos, podcast episodes, or blog posts, you’re sitting on an huge opportunity for email sign-ups. Your audience is already spending several minutes (or more) with your content—give them a clear next step.

Instead of just saying, “Thanks for watching/listening/reading,” try:

“Want to take [the topic] even further? Grab my free [resource name] at [link]. It’s the perfect next step to start implementing [topic].”

Pro Tip: Mention your freebie early and late in your content. That way, people who drop off early still hear the offer.

Example:

• In a YouTube video, add the link in the first paragraph of the description, mention it verbally in the intro, and show it on screen.

• In a podcast episode, read your CTA right after the opening and again before the outro.

• In a blog post, embed the signup form in the middle of the article instead of just the end.

Action Step:
Review your last 3 pieces of long-form content and add a freebie mention in at least two spots.

3. Use Multiple Signup Points on Your Website

Many business owners have just one lonely opt-in form hidden at the bottom of their site—don’t make the same mistake. By having multiple ways to opt-in, you’re capitalizing on all of the traffic to your site, turning a potential one-time visit into an opportunity.

Your freebie should be impossible to miss. Add signup forms:

• At the top of your homepage

• In your website header or sticky bar

• On your About page (people reading your story are already interested)

• Inside relevant blog posts

• As a pop-up or slide-in triggered by time on page or scroll percentage

Why this works:
People land on different pages of your site at different times. Multiple signup points increase the chances they’ll see—and act on—your offer.

Pro Tip: Test your copy. Changing “Sign up for my newsletter” to “Send me the free guide!” can significantly increase conversions.

Action Step:
Add at least 2 more signup forms to your website this week and test a fresh headline for your freebie.

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If you’re anything like me, I’m always looking for ways to grow my email list with as little work as possible. ConvertBox does just that - making it simple and easy to set up high converting pop-ups to provide relevant offers across your site and pages. Not tech savvy? No problem - ConvertBox makes it so easy you can get multiple pop-ups set up in minutes!

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Check out the Lifetime Offer and start growing your list on autopilot!

4. Use Pinterest to Drive Evergreen Traffic

Pinterest is a search engine, not a social platform—which means the content you post can keep bringing traffic (and subscribers) for months or even years.

Here’s how to make it work for you:

• Create pins that link directly to your freebie landing page or a blog post with an embedded signup form (or both!).

• Use keyword-rich descriptions so your pins show up in searches.

• Make 3–5 different pin designs for the same freebie to increase exposure.

• Use Canva to create eye-catching, vertical pins (1000x1500 px is a good size).

Why this works:
Pinterest users are actively searching for solutions. If your freebie solves their problem, they’re much more likely to sign up.

Action Step:
Create 3 fresh pins for your freebie this week and schedule them with a tool like Tailwind or directly through Pinterest’s scheduler.

5. Collaborate With Others

Nothing grows your list faster than getting in front of someone else’s audience—especially when that audience is already warm and targeted.

Collaboration ideas:

• Summits & Bundles: Offer your freebie as part of an event that attracts your ideal audience.

• Podcast Guesting: Share valuable tips and mention your freebie at the end of your interview.

• Guest Trainings: Teach inside another business owner’s membership or Facebook group.

• Email List Swaps: Partner with someone who serves a similar audience and promote each other’s freebies to your lists.

Why this works:
You’re borrowing trust. The host already has a relationship with their audience, so when they introduce you, it’s like an instant credibility boost.

Action Step:
Make a list of 5 potential collaborators and send at least 1 outreach email this week.

Want the cheat code to sending outreach emails that get a yes? Check out The Perfect Pitch. Inside you’ll find proven, done-for-you templates and a simple framework to help you confidently land profitable partnerships that grow your email list, boost your visibility, and drive sales.

Whether you’re pitching as a speaker, joining a bundle, or hosting a summit, this is your shortcut to collaboration success. No more staring at a blank email wondering what to say or when to follow-up, The Perfect Pitch includes proven templates and expert strategies, The Perfect Pitch makes it easy to craft irresistible pitches and land profitable collaborations—fast.

Even Small Steps Can Lead To Big Results

Growing your email list doesn’t have to feel like a giant project you’ll “get to someday.” You don’t need to overhaul your entire marketing strategy overnight—you just need to start. Even one small action today—whether that’s updating your social media bio, adding a freebie link to your latest blog post, or sending a quick collaboration email—can put you on the path to steady, consistent growth.

Think of it like compound interest for your business: a few intentional moves every day, in an hour or less, can boost your visibility, grow your list, and help you connect with the right people.

The key is to take action now, however small, and keep going. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll see your audience—and your bottom line—grow.

Ready to put these strategies into action and see real results—fast? Grab your free copy of List Growth Made Simple. Inside, you’ll get my step-by-step plan to grow your email list by 100+ subscribers quickly, without complicated tech or paid ads. It’s the perfect next step to turn today’s ideas into a list-building system that works on repeat.

Unlock the Secret to Getting Your Next 100 Email Subscribers - FAST!

🚀 Ready to get your next 100 subscribers? List Growth Made Simple gives you the exact steps to grow your email list with ease.

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