Have you ever heard people say the “money is in your list” and wondered what they meant? They are talking about your email list! (Pssst: Don’t worry I’m going to tell how to start your email list for free! )
And the single biggest mistake I see new entrepreneurs consistently making is putting all of their focus into growing their audience on social media and not starting, growing, nurturing their email list.
Don’t do that!
Yes, you need to grow your social media audience, but you should put just as much time and energy (if not more) into building your email list.
Wondering why? Well, look no further my friend, because I created a list…
3 Reasons Why You Need to Start Your Email List RIGHT THIS SECOND
1. You Own Your List
If your social media account gets locked, deleted, hacked, or if the platform goes away (which I know is unlikely to happen overnight)- BAM! Your business is gone or at least on hold.
You don’t want someone else controlling your business destiny which is what you are letting happen since, in a sense, you don’t own your social media account.
You own your email list.
2. You Can’t Control Algorithms
When you post something on social media, only a small percentage of your audience initially sees it at the top of their feed (think somewhere between 2 and 10%, depending on your audience size). Then the more those people engage with your content, the more other people see it pop up in their feed.
While you can’t control if people open your emails and read your content, you can control if your entire list receives your email.
Think of it this way, if you have 100 followers, and 100 subscribers and you post an offer…
Maybe 10% (and that is a generous stretch) of your audience will see your amazing offer aka 10 people. If you have 100 subscribers, all 100 subscribers will get your email (and with good copy most will open it!). So even if your open rate is 30%, that is still TRIPLE the amount of people who would have seen your post.
*Surprised Gasp!*
I know, right?!
3. People are 40x more likely to purchase from your email list
The reason you start your email list is not just to get a sale. It’s to build and nurture genuine relationships with your audience.
That said, when someone takes the time to join your email list and stay on it, that means they like your content, your vibe, your value, and they are interested in what you have to say and what you are offering! Aka, they already like you, which is really important for selling your products and services.
In fact, people from your email list are 40 times more likely to become a customer than from Facebook or Twitter. 🤯
Email works. Start your list.
How to Start Your Email List for Free
1. Sign-up for ConvertKit here.
I use ConvertKit, I love it, and you should use it too.
To be honest, I have never used any other providers, but I like it and couldn’t recommend it more. You can sign up 100% free for your first 1,000 subscribers, create free landing pages, and start building your email list right this second! Go do it.
2. Create a landing page
A landing page is just another word for a webpage. Your landing page is where you will collect the first names and email addresses of your fantastic subscribers.
Again, I am partial to ConvertKit because that is who I use. They have landing page templates you can use and completely customize, all for free. Check out one of mine (while you’re at, why not go ahead and subscribe).
3. Create a lead magnet to get people on your email list
How often do you sign up for emails just because someone nicely asked you if you want their newsletter?
The answer is not that often. You sign up for emails in exchange for something in return, like a 20% discount on your purchase, a free guide to get clients online fast, canva templates, tips to lose weight, etc.
If you want to build a decent-sized email list, you need to create a lead magnet. It needs to be something that would be valuable to your target clients but not something that will take you too long to create.
Seriously, it should not take you more than 2-4 hours to create from start to finish. Don’t do something over-the-top, and it’s even better if you can repurpose something you already have.
4. You created your email list free – Start getting subscribers!
Drop your lead magnet link everywhere. In Facebook groups (if it’s allowed!), on Instagram, LinkedIn, talk about it on Clubhouse, tell people you meet about it, text your friends about it.
Do whatever you have to do to start getting email subscribers.
ALSO, remember as soon as you have ONE subscriber, you have an email list. Treat that one person like royalty because they are on YOUR list, and it is a privilege to be on your list! Don’t wait until you hit some arbitrary number of people to start sending consistent emails.
Now You have an email list – email them!
All that’s left now is to start sending emails that are full of fun, insightful, and valuable information to your list. Oh, and selling your amazing offers to your list too!
Are you going to start your email list or do you already have one? Let me know below!
If you found this post helpful then you might also like this post about Landing dream clients – Check it out!
