So, you’ve started your email list and have a few hundred – maybe even a thousand – on your list. You want to keep your list growing and get more email subscribers – but perhaps you’re feeling stuck on what to do now.
Firstly – carry on doing what is working. Don’t suddenly stop what you have been doing and start trying out #allthethings. Then, slowly add some of these new tips.
List-building can feel artificial and tricky at first. After all, you need to use conscious strategies to make your sharing feel natural and authentic.
Keep your focus on your ideal subscriber, and your list-building will feel natural and authentic—and remember that strategies are just particularly effective ways to share. Don’t get too caught up on all the different tactics. Start with one or two, then add more as appropriate.
Over 17 Ways To Get More Email Subscribers – Quickly
Get a good pop-up for email capture
Having a good pop-up email capture in place can literally make the difference between being forgotten and making multiple sales. Since pop-ups can be annoying, especially if not used properly, it’s important to choose a pop-up plugin that has a variety of options and features. When you have more control of how, when, and where the pop-up appears, you can gently remind your reader to sign up for your offer. Remember, your visitor comes for info. If the pop-up covers up or restricts viewing the info before they know it’s good, they may just leave the page, never to return. Use pop-ups wisely.
Make Sure You Create a Specific Landing Page
Don’t just send visitors to your Home Page. (If you do, make sure it is set up as a Landing Page!)
Landing pages can collect email addresses for marketing purposes, among other things. Using automated landing pages from software like Leadpages.net, can help increase signups. Some email software offers landing page functionality. You can even create landing pages using your website – this is my top choice! (In fact, I even created a set of Landing Page Templates to help you get yours set up quickly and easily.)
The more landing pages you have and the more offers you have the more sign ups you’re going to get.
Your Sidebar is NOT a ‘Landing Page’
Don’t rely solely on a sidebar sign-up form. Create a separate landing page, and send people there.
Your sidebar sign-up box should be regarded as an extra strategy; not as your primary sign-up vehicle
Add Calls to Action in Your Graphics
When you post an image quote, for example,include a call to action either within the graphic—or accompanying it.
The call to action can even be something simple like encouraging your followers to like or comment. The goal is to get your followers used to, and comfortable with, engaging with you.
The same goes for infographics, cover photos (where allowed), pie charts, diagrams and even just images, if you can make this look natural and timely.
Include a Call to Action in your Sign-up Gift & Thank You Page
Even if you don’t have a ‘next product’ ready, recognize that the thank you page your sign-up gift is prime real estate for list building.
At the very least, finish with a message such as: “You’ve downloaded my [XX ways to XX something”]. If you’ve found it useful, please share it with your friends.” (Then include your SHARING BUTTONS.)
Run a Giveaway
A great way to grow your reach (Use apps such as Rafflecopter or Woobox that make arranging Giveaways easy!)
Make sure the prize is relevant to your audience, or you will end up filling your list with people who are not your ideal client.
Write Yourself a List
Entitle it “101 Ways to Help My Subscribers”—and use it as a fast reference whenever you want to:
- Write a blog post
- Create a product
- Share something on Facebook
- Find a resource they can use
- Decide what to do for them next
- Write a new email series
- Create a mini-course
- Are asked a question an item on your list answers
Create a Mini-Course
Speaking of mini-courses, after you’ve started building your list and you are tracking your feedback, use it to create a seven-part email mini-course and landing page as your next follow-up series.
Email mini-courses are ridiculously easy to do, and take far less preparation and resources than putting together, say, a webinar; or writing a book.
The key lies in making sure there is a measurable result or achievement at the end of the course.
Create an FAQ page
Whenever a follower or a subscriber asks you a question, add both the question and your answer to your FAQ page.
This is a great way to become a “turn-to” resource for your ideal subscriber – plus it will also improve the SEO for your entire site!
Create a Media Page
Make it easy for bloggers to write about you and make it easy for potential JV partners to make a decision about you by providing a professional media page on your website; including essential details and graphics you guess they would like to access the most.
Maximize Your ‘Real Estate’
Include links, share buttons or calls-to-action at the end of digital products, Thank You pages, Download Pages and everywhere you make contact! Take care to not provide too many ‘actions’ for your reader to do – focus on one action per page.
(Take a look through all your content and figure out what types you aren’t maximizing yet?)
Focus on Your Ideal Subscriber
This is basic, but often forgotten as we get swept away with “branding” ourselves. It really IS all about your subscriber: With how much she identifies with you, relates to you, turns to you for solutions she trusts.
Even when you are writing your About Page bio or sharing photos of triumphs, only share the bits that she will find particularly relevant—and emotionally stirring.
Constantly remind yourself:
- It’s not about showcasing your achievements: It’s about showing her what she can achieve.
- It’s not about proving you’re an expert: It’s simply about helping her get to her goal.
Pre-Sell
Don’t just spring a product on your followers and subscribers: Start talking it up before it’s even finished.
You can do this on social posts, blog posts and in emails. Ask for feedback; share the creation process; feature impromptu, short polls; and tell your story—WHY you wanted to create it and what you hope it will do (for those who invest in it or download it).
Use Feedback Forms After Events or Workshops
A great way to collect enthusiastic signups: Use the momentum you’ve gathered at the end of a webinar, guest speaking gig or a live workshop to distribute feedback forms asking simple questions like “what was your best takeaway from today?” or “which of these three topics are you most interested in?”— and include a slot for their email addresses if they “want to hear more/about the next event”.
Conduct a Survey—with an Incentive
Don’t just send out surveys: Promise people something delectable in exchange for answering your survey.
Use apps such as SurveyMonkey or Typeform for extra eye-appeal … or even create a simple “respond to this email” type survey, for a low-tech quickie approach.
Create a SlideShare Presentation
SlideShare is an under-rated way of sharing nowadays—but highly effective, if you have a strong presentation on an in-demand topic. If you’ve already got a presentation that you have used for a live event, for example, don’t let it go to waste – repurpose it as another list-building opportunity.
The key to using it to get more email subscribers: Include a call to action and link at with your Presentation. (And remember to add another specific incentive—e.g. “Ten More Tips on XX”—to make sure they click through.)
These are just a smattering of suggestions to get more email subscribers, when you consider how many opportunities, tools and other strategies are out there.
Start with these—but do get into the habit of looking for opportunities to help your email subscribers every single day.
After all, that’s what it is really all about!
