Whether you are a new blogger or have been at it for a while, you probably already know that starting and growing your email list should be one of your top priorities.
Before we get into the different strategies to grow your email list, let’s talk about the steps to take before building your email list
1. What is the objective of the email list
Before you start creating a lead magnet and focus on list building strategies, it is important to really think about the reason why you are building your email list.
Is it to sell a product?
Or you just want to build a community around a topic ?
Are you looking to validate a course idea?
Having an objective will help you come up with the lead magnet that is in sync with your objective, helping you grow your list more quickly.
2.Decide on a lead magnet
The next step would be to decide on a lead magnet that is in line with your email list objective.
If your goal is to sell a course on Facebook ads, your lead magnet could be a Facebook ads cheat sheet or an ebook on Facebook ads for beginners.
By creating a lead magnet that aligns with your offer, you are making sure that only those who would be at least somewhat interested in your offer are getting on this email list.
You can ready more about lead magnet ideas on my marketing tech blog.
3.Create an email nurture sequence
Most people focus so much on growing their email list that they forget that the true value of the email list is in the nurture.
If you are not trying to build a relationship with your audience right when they join your email list, you are missing out on a huge opportunity.
You can use a 5-7 email nurture sequence to build trust and authority with your audience in a way that they end up looking forward to your emails.
4. Choose the right email automation tool
Some people don’t take this too seriously while some dwell too much on it.
Choosing the right email automation tool for your business needs is important because you want to make sure that you are able to send emails like you want to.
If you do end up choosing the wrong tool know that it’s not the end of the world. It is a little time intensive to switch platforms, it is pretty doable.
Now that we have this out of the way, let’s get into the list building strategies.
Ways to Grow Your Email List
Using Social media
Social media is undoubtedly the easiest and fastest way to grow your email list.
This also means that your audience may not be as targeted, because a lot of people sign up for free things on social media, but they never end up opening even the welcome email.
Having said that, I think it is still a great way to get that initial momentum for your email list growth.
How to grow your email list with Instagram
There are 2 instagram strategies that are very powerful when it comes to growing your email list.
1. Instagram bio
If you have less than 10,000 followers on Instagram, the Instagram bio is the only place for you to share a link.
You can use this space to share a link to your landing page.
In my experience, using a single link vs something like a linktree link works well because you are giving your users only one CTA so they don’t have to think about choosing between links.
Foundr instagram account has a link to their Instagram domination masterclass with a clear CTA pointing to the link.
This is a great one and done strategy, where new people visiting your profile can sign up for your email list.
2.Instagram stories
Instagram stories are another great way to grow your email list.
You can use images or a short video to share details about your lead magnet and if you have less than 10,000 followers, then you can use the “Link in bio” sticker to get people to go your bio and click on the link.
How to grow your email list using facebook
3.Facebook profile
Your personal Facebook profile is a great place to share your lead magnet link. If you are active in Facebook groups, there is a high chance people will visit your Facebook profile, what better way to get them to join your community than through your lead magnet?
4.Facebook cover photo
5.Facebook groups
6.Your own Facebook group
Other social media options
7.Pinterest
8.LinkedIn
9.Tiktok
Using Youtube
Let’s talk about how you can use Youtube to grow your email list.
10.Youtube cover photo
11.Youtube end screen
12.Youtube video description
Using your blog/ website
13. On the sidebar
The sidebar has traditionally been the most popular place on the website for list building.
More recently, people are trying to do away with the sidebar so that the focus is more on the content.
You won’t find a sidebar for blog post pages on this website. We do have a sidebar on category pages.
14. In the footer
15. As a Pop-up
16. Top bar
17. In blog posts
18. Homepage hero image
Collaborations
19. Collaborate with a fellow business owner
Do you know a fellow business owner who has a big audience or Facebook group? You could provide value to their audience through a free webinar or masterclass, and in the end, you could invite them to join your email list.
20. Run a virtual summit
Either running a virtual summit, or being part of one is another great way to grow your email list.
Running a virtual summit by yourself can be a lot of work, but you could add thousands of email subscribers as a result.
21. Host a giveaway
Hosting a giveaway is another great way to grow your email list fast.
Make sure that you are offering something that is in sync with your offers else you will end up getting a lot of random email subscribers.
For example, if you run a blog on heath, make sure the giveaway prize is something similar to that niche, and not something random like boxes of dog food.
22. Run a free 5-day challenge
If you’ve been in my community for a while, you know that running free 5-day challenges is my favorite way for not only adding new email subscribers, but also for selling my offers.
I wrote an in-depth article on running gamified challenges on Membervault’s website.
Advertising
23. Run Facebook ads
Facebook ads are one of the fastest ways to grow your email list. If you don’t know where to get started, you can read this free Facebook ads guide for beginners.
24. Run Instagram story ads
Instagram story ads do really well for lead magnet since they don’t look like an ad at all, and people love swiping up.
25. Run Youtube ads
Youtube ads perform well for lead magnets like free webinars and challenges. They have a little learning curve, but once you learn them, they can be an asset, since not a lot of brands have started using Youtube ads, yet.
What are some of the ways that you have used to grow your email list?
Let me know in the comments.