You've heard it before: "The money is in the list". Yes, you get it. You should have started the email list a long time ago. Now is the best time. Let's find out how to build email list for free.
Create Your Lead Magnet
Here you need to think and create something that your ideal client would love to have, something awesome they could pay for but you'd give them for free. In exchange for their email address.
Ideas for your lead magnet:
- cheatsheet
- checklist
- printable
- e-book
- test / assessment
- catalog
- guide
- handout
- report
- resource list
- mini video
- email challenge
- free consultation
- free tool, etc.
Remember: you need to create something awesome your ideal client could pay for but you'd give them for free, in exchange for their email address. When creating your lead magnet, make sure you’re solving a problem. It could be a first step for your client in future to buy your course or membership. So you'd better align your lead magnet with your (future) paid offer. Don't repeat my mistake - don't create lead magnets for the sake of creating them.
Your lead magnet should be somehow connected with your (future) paid offer. One more thing: your lead magnet should be actionable. Your subscribers will get this lead magnet, take actions inside and go through a change feeling “Hm, this is good, I followed these steps and accomplished this…”
Choose Your Email Provider
You can't just send emails to people using your gmail account. Nope. For this, you need an email provider. With its help you'll be able to send emails consistently to your ideal clients, “give” them your lead magnet after they provided their email address, segment your list (this is the topic for future emails), etc.
Mailchimp
Let's start with a free option. Mailchimp. When you are just getting started, Mailchimp is your best and right choice. For up to 500 email subscribers, it's free. It's better to grow slowly and have people on your list who will be your true fans and buyers / clients in the future. Start your free plan on Mailchimp today (affiliate link).
I actually started with Mailchimp and continued to use it for a while. But when my list grew, so did my monthly payment for this email provider. After one very fruitful collaboration, my email list grew so much I knew I needed to find an alternative for Mailchimp.
Flodesk
There are many email providers out there, and the monthly fee you'll pay can be really huge, depending on the number of your email subscribers. Almost all email providers will oblige you to pay more, the more subscribers you have, or if you want to send more emails. The only exception I know is Flodesk.
- You can have unlimited emails and subscribers for one flat rate.
- It's easy to use.
- There are tons of beautiful ready-made templates you can use.
Flodesk also provides extra features for e-commerce (something for me to test in future). It helps you monetize your offering with sales pages, upsells, instant deliveries, and unlimited transactions—all seamlessly connected from the start. Ready to dive in? Use my affiliate link and send your first email with Flodesk. The best part, by signing up through my link, you'll get 50% off your first year of Flodesk.
Promote Your Lead Magnet in Specific Places
This one is tricky and always evolves. You need to know where your ideal client hangs out.
Maybe, you already know these specific places (Facebook groups, Instagram, TikTok, Youtube, etc.).
Or you don't. Then you need to test it.
Blogging about your lead magnet is a longterm game. And it works.
Creating Youtube videos and mentioning your lead magnet is a longterm game. And it works too.
Social media posts could get viral but it's 1% chance.
And that's just the beginning. Need more ways to build your email list? Download "49 Ways to Build Your Email List", your ultimate guide to skyrocketing your email subscriber count.
Building an email list doesn't have to be complicated or costly. With a solid lead magnet, the right email provider, and some smart promotion, you can start growing your list today—no budget required. Remember, your email list is more than just names on a screen; it’s your future community of clients and fans. So don’t wait any longer. Take action now, follow these steps, and watch your list start to grow. And hey, if you want even more ways to boost your subscriber count, grab your free copy of "49 Ways to Build Your Email List" and take your list-building game to the next level!
Spread the word among your business besties or pin this for later to your email marketing board.