List Building
Say Goodbye to Stagnant Growth and Hello to an Engaged Email List.
"The money is in your list". Yeah. Great.
But how do you actually get people to sign up?
It's no longer 2015 when everyone would sign up for a pdf that contained 3 short top tips.
It's not even 2020 when people who almost gladly register for that "free live training".
Oh it would have been so nice to be there at the beginning of the online marketing days that these list building experts made bank. How nice would it be to create a single page pdf, a lead page, do a post to instagram and *BAM* 100 subscribers.
It's just not like that anymore.
It's not all bad news though - because I know you want quality people.
Which means you can play smarter not harder...
Here's what's working now
Starting Simple
At the beginning you may not need a fancy lead magnet but you do need an incentive to opt in.
And "sign up to my newsletter" is not an incentive.
Instead, share the benefits of being on your list like insider tips, exclusive content and early access.
Highly Targeted Lead Magnets
If you were a life coach, which would appeal to you more? A. "3 top website tips" or B. "3 small tweaks to make to your life coaching website that book more clients".
B. Obviously. Why? Because it stands out in a world of same and tells that potential subscriber that you understand them.
Remember a magnet repels as well as attracts.
Here's Lead Magnets that are Working Now
Quick Wins
Tik Tok has a lot to answer for. Now everyone wants the shortcut or answers in 2 minutes flat.
Instead of a 20 page guide, give them the shortcut. Think swipe files, calculators, check lists, templates or one quick action.
Once you have their email address you have all the emails and time in the world to share more (in bite sized chunks). You don't need to give it all away in the first 5 minutes.
Sharing it Everywhere
If the only place someone can join your list is in your footer and a pop up that appears once, it's no wonder you aren't getting sign ups.
Make sure it is prominent on your key website pages. Feature it in your blog posts or on your podcast episodes. Pin it to the top of your social profiles.
Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
Intrigued? Learn The Sandwich Strategy here.
Adding Boosters
Sometimes your ongoing list builder just isn't what your potential subscriber is interested in.
To capture these extras, throw in a list building booster now and then.
Things like a live masterclass, giveaways or limited time freebies.
Or collaborate in joint ventures like bundles, summits or swaps to get in front of new audiences.
Here's 10 Ways to Boost your List Growth
Crunching the Numbers
Your lead magnet may not be the problem.
Maybe the reason you aren't getting sign ups is because your lead page form isn't working.
The only way to know where people are dropping off is by looking at the numbers. That small change to a headline may be all it takes.
But you don't know that if you assume instead of go with the facts.
Want some Email Marketing Magic added to your Business?
If you want to know how Email Marketing really works
Free, mini-training Beyond Words: The 7 Drivers of Email Engagement
If you want to pick & mix what you implement now...
Finally… an email marketing course that teaches email marketing
If you want it done for you...
Whether you are starting from scratch, migrating software or sorting out a "hot mess", check out The Email Implementor.
Unsure what you need? Book a Complimentary Strat Chat here.
Suggested List Building Blogs & Podcast Episodes
10 List Building Mistakes
List building mistakes can seriously impact your email marketing success. This guide highlights ten common errors businesses make when growing their email lists and provides practical tips to avoid them.
How to Improve Your List Building Strategy
Have you ever found yourself frustrated with a stagnant email list, wondering why people aren’t subscribing despite your best efforts? Don’t worry, you’re not alone, and there are strategies you can implement to turn things around.
4 Simple Steps to Your Best Email Marketing Year Yet | Episode 96
Happy new year and welcome to another year of the Easy Email Marketing podcast. Hopefully you have already identified email marketing as one of your core business strategies that you continue to pay attention to each and every year - not just as a once off. But this...
Content Marketing and Email – A Perfect Match | Episode 91
Content marketing is one of the BEST strategies you can use to grow your email list - not to mention having something to send. Not only does it provide a catch-free way of learning about you, your business but it also gives you an easy way for your business to be...
Increase Webinar Signups, Showups and Conversions | Episode 90
Whether you call it a webinar, a training, a masterclass or a workshop - you always have the goal of getting as many people as possible signing up and watching. And email marketing of course plays a huge role in this. Not only do you use it to invite existing...
Sneaky Target Market Research | Episode 89
If you are in business you know that understanding your target market is crucial to your success. After all, you need to deliver what your audience wants to have them buy from you. But so many of the target market training out there either focus on building customer...
Some quick lead magnet ideas - just for you
E-commerce
Yes, a discount or free shipping works well for fence-sitters but what about those earlier in the decision making process?
You could try:
- A "which style are you" quiz
- Spin the Wheel
- Seasonal Trend Report
- Tips or Hacks for the area your customers are interested in (e.g. top skiing spots for snow wear business)
Services
Don't just say sign up to my newsletter.
Instead you could try incentives like:
- Weekly doses of inspiration or motivation they can't get anywhere else
- Project planning spreadsheet template
- Benchmark report
- Free assessment or audit
- An email course
- Meditation Recordings
And don't forget to use automations too!
Digital Creators
It's likely you've created a lot of lead magnets, but are they standing out?
Here's what you could try:
- Swipe Files or Templates
- Ideas Lists
- Calculators
- Quick reference guide (e.g. Canva keyboard shortcuts)
- Monthly exclusive video trainings
And don't forget to use automations too!
Hi, I'm Yael
Business Strategy & Systems Consultant, for small business owners building a business around their life, unapologetically.
> A marketing degree, an MBA, and a stack of courses since. The learning never stops.
> 25 years in marketing, more than 10 of them online, and hundreds of business owners helped.
> Strategist and builder in one. I design it, and then I build it.
> The whole picture: marketing, sales, and delivery, joined up.
> Host of That System's Show Podcast
> Neurodivergent founder, running the business during school hours.
> FIFO wife, soccer mum of two, netball player, Survivor superfan, puzzler and lawn enthusiast.
I have the strategic brain, the technical chops, and the actual qualifications, so you can be confident I can help you. And because I run my own business around school hours with a brain that needs things a certain way, I build yours to suit how you work rather than how you think you're supposed to.
List building is just one piece of the puzzle...
Here are the other experiences you should be creating
The Welcome Experience
Have your newest subscribers feeling the love from the moment they join your world - and converting ASAP.
This is when your subscribers are most eager to hear from you so make it count!
The Nurture Experience
Most of your sales won't come from the first welcome. They come from people who have been in your world a while.
But you need to engage with them often to ensure you remain top of mind and you are the first business they go to when they are ready.
The Sales Experience
Yes you need to sell - but you can do it in a feel good, service led way. Choose from "everyday" strategies, promotions and launch models. Add some clever retargeting automations and you'll have a complete sales system.
The Post-Purchase Experience
Your email strategy shouldn't end once your subscriber hands over their credit card. In fact, it's just the beginning for building loyalty and trust.
Reduce the admin load and increase customer satisfaction with thank you and customer service sequences
Learn More About the 5 Email Experiences in the Email Experience Membership
