10 Tips on How to Successfully Build and Grow your Email List

Despite being one of the oldest digital marketing channels, email remains one of the most effective tools, with high conversion rates across various industries. On average, landing page traffic from email converts at over 7%, significantly higher than the standard e-commerce conversion rate of 2%. The cherry on top: it’s one of the most cost-effective marketing tools in your arsenal.

To fully harness the power of email marketing, building an email list is essential. Although your list will grow as you start making sales, there are steps you can take now to start building your email list even before launching your first product or subscription.

Tip 1: Add simple sign-up forms to your website and position them strategically
Add visible sign-up forms to your website to boost subscriptions. Place them in key areas like the sidebar, post-ends, checkout, or footer. Use persuasive language to highlight the benefits of subscribing. Consider a dedicated landing page for your list and use a pop-up on the homepage with a special incentive for added attention.

Tip 2: Add a sign-up button to your social media pages
Add an email sign-up option to your social media profiles like Facebook and Instagram to keep followers informed and include them in more personalized email campaigns. Most platforms allow you to add sign-up buttons or forms. For less link-friendly sites like Instagram, consider using tools like Linktree to include multiple links in your bio to drive email sign-ups.

Tip 3: Create valuable lead magnets
Create valuable lead magnets like guides, e-books, or industry reviews that deal with your audience’s needs and concerns. These high-quality resources can be integrated into digital ads and should offer enough value to justify an email sign-up.

Tip 4: Incentivise your subscribers
Offer a compelling incentive, like a discount code or free shipping on the first order, to encourage immediate sign-ups. Make sure the incentive aligns with your product/service and appeals to your target audience. Apps like Wisepops provide stylish popup designs and can help you create engaging, gamified email capture campaigns. This tool is ideal for newsletter sign-ups, product pre-launches, upsells, generating traffic to product pages, or limited-time offers, and it’s available as a WordPress plugin.

Tip 5: Create customized landing pages
Create customized landing pages with tailored calls-to-action (CTAs) based on how visitors found your business and their stage in the buyer journey. Tools like Leadpages and OptinMonster can help you design personalized landing pages and lead capture forms. These are particularly effective for converting visitors who arrive via lead magnets. Both apps offer easy integration with WordPress for seamless setup.

Tip 6: Let chatbots grow your list
Use chatbots to grow your email list by collecting addresses and consumer data for your marketing campaigns. Start by building a relationship through a conversation before asking for an email address—something chatbots excel at, 24/7. To maximize their potential, integrate your chatbot with your email marketing platform and regularly test its functionality.

Tip 7: Collect sign-ups at physical events
At trade shows or events, have a tablet or sign-up sheet handy to collect email addresses. Train staff to highlight the benefits of subscribing, making it clear to attendees. Offer a small incentive, like a free sample or exclusive content, to encourage immediate sign-ups. At social events like galas or fundraisers, consider using a raffle to engage attendees and gather sign-ups.

Tip 8: Host webinars or online events
Host webinars or online events on topics relevant to your audience and promote them on your social channels. Offer free access in exchange for email registration. After the event, follow up with attendees, offering additional value to encourage continued subscription.

Tip 9: Encourage sign-ups with your marketing materials
Include sign-up options in your physical marketing materials, such as flyers, business cards, or product packaging. Add a QR code that directs to your sign-up form, seamlessly connecting offline marketing with digital list building and capturing email addresses from multiple touchpoints.

Tip 10: Promote your subscriber list on social media
Promote your email list on social media where your audience is most engaged. Share snippets of your newsletter content to entice followers and include a link to your sign-up form in your posts. You can also gather subscribers by: