Want to Build an Email List from Scratch? Try these 4 Simple Steps (that anyone can do!)
I’m guessing you’ve heard that building an email list from scratch is an important step to finding success online.
But maybe you’re not quite on board yet.
No matter if you’re starting a brand new online business from scratch...
OR you’ve been in business for multiple years, but are struggling to create consistent income…
…there is ONE key factor that I believe has the ability to completely change the trajectory of your business.
It’s NOT:
The number of monthly visitors your website receives
The size of your Instagram following
How on-point your branding is
Or how many courses you’ve taken or how much training you’re received
The KEY factor to being able to create and sustain a regular, consistent (and GROWING!) income in your business is your…
EMAIL LIST!
All of the other factors listed above can have a direct correlation on your ability to grow your email list. They can affect the number of people exposed to you and your business on a daily basis, as well as how quickly a trusting relationship is developed between you and the new people finding you.
So don’t think that I’m saying that you can ignore everything else. Each piece contributes to your ability to exponentially grow.
But if you want to simplify your action-steps and get down to the ultimate goal of all of it?
If you want to know the ONE thing that I believe you NEED to focus on day in and day out?
the key strategy that I fall back on again and again
the asset that allows me to run a minimalistic business that doesn’t require a complicated strategy or an entire team to make it all run
the thing that powers 10K+ launches and affiliate launches without webinars, expensive ads, or taking over my life
It all comes down to growing, nurturing, and effectively communicating with an engaged email list that you’ve built from scratch (and not bought).
→ By the end of this article you’ll understand the exact 4 (simplified) steps to starting, growing, and exponentially increasing your email list size, as well as your ability to write intriguing emails that people love to read (and that convert!).
Ready to create your income-on-demand asset and build an email list from scratch?
Let’s get started.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I’ll earn a commission, at no additional cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.
How to Build an Email List from Scratch (the simple, fast & automated way)
So you want to grow an email list from scratch, huh?
First of all, let me just say CONGRATS! The fact that you’ve decided to focus your time and energy on building your email list is what I believe to be the BIGGEST factor in whether your business or upcoming launch fails or succeeds.
It doesn’t matter if you’re launching a new business or website, a new digital course or group coaching program, or maybe an ebook or physical product… you need an audience of engaged, excited, and “on-board” people to launch it to.
I personally owe so much of my success online to my email list. It’s allowed me to reach over 15,000 people with my message, create an online course with multiple $10K+ launches, run a high-level mastermind ($30K+ launch), do an almost $20K+ affiliate launch, and most importantly to me… do it all during early mornings, naptimes, and evenings on the couch with my laptop, due to these 3 little ones:
I’ve been an entrepreneur for over 10 years now, getting my start with a local, service-based business (which I am still the CEO of today). However when my daughter was born a little over 7 years ago I became a stay at home mom, and I turned to the world of online entrepreneurship as the space that I wanted to be in.
I knew that I wanted the freedom of creating my own “thing,” and to share the lifestyle that I’d created for myself with others that have a desire to impact others, as well as changing their own reality. I didn’t want to be tied down to a location or responsible for a whole team of employees.
So from the very start, I intentionally created my online brand to be what I call a “simple, little business.” I’m saying NO to complicated and “big,” and I say YES to streamlined, simple, effective, intentionally small (in people), yet highly focused on creating profit through semi-automated strategies.
I’ve built my entire business with email marketing as it’s backbone. Flat out… I do email (and very little else).
My Instagram is highly lacking, you won’t see me hopping on FB lives, no podcasting going on over here, and even my blog has taken a backseat for a long time (however that’s currently changing).
That’s not to say that those things aren’t important. For me it’s a matter of time and priorities. I’d LOVE to get more involved in some of those other platforms in the future, but for now, I know that email gives me the biggest ROI (return on investment) for the time and effort I spend there.
Building my email list from scratch when I first started my business is what’s allowed me to create multi 5-figure launches while working just a few hours a day.
My absolute FAVORITE part is teaching how to write emails connect, convert, and build a relationship with your audience so that they are jumping at any offer you put out there.
BUT first, you’re got to have a list to write to! So that’s what this blog post is all about.
My goal is to give you a roadmap to achieve the same “simple, little business” success that I’ve built for myself. I’ll be giving you the tools you need to have your own email list up and growing in less than 1 week.
It will take a little effort on your part (as does anything worthwhile), but you can be assured the time and energy you invest now will continue to snowball and exponentially grow your list (and revenue) into the future.
Why your Past Launches Have Failed
Here’s the deal, I know that “like attracts like” so if you’re anything like the me from about 4 years ago, I’ve got a feeling that you’ve probably already taken a swing a launching your “thing.” You’re intrigued by entrepreneurship, you know you’re meant for more in your life, and specifically online business has a hold on you that you can’t shake.
Perhaps you've started a blog (or 3!), tried your hand at an MLM company, dabbled in re-selling or drop shipping, or maybe even created an ebook or digital course that had less than encouraging results when you tried to launch it.
First of all, I want to acknowledge I’ve been there … MANY of us have been there … and you’re not alone on this journey. In fact, I’ve written a whole “fictional” (yet all too real) story about this journey right here (it’s called “Molly meet Sam”) if you’d like to take a look.
No matter what stage you’re at, whether your idea is still in your head or you’ve already tried to launch it into the world, let’s first off acknowledge the 2 potential reasons that it’s failed to make the impact you were looking for:
#1 Not enough of the RIGHT people saw your offer
OR
#2 it’s not the RIGHT offer for your people, or you’re not positioning (marketing) it correctly.
Can you identify which it is for you?
If the issue for you was that not enough of the right people saw your offer, perhaps you’re thinking:
I just need more website traffic!
OR ...
I need to grow my social media following!
And while both of those action steps will indirectly influence the growth of your business and future launches… neither one is the KEY factor as to why your launch failed in the past.
Publishing a new blog post or adding a product to your website’s virtual “shelves” isn’t going to bring back your warm audience that has already visited your site in the past. A strategy of crossing your fingers and hoping they stumble upon it simply isn’t a viable option.
With social media, the algorithms change every day it seems, and you just can’t rely on any of the social platforms to consistently deliver your message to a significant percentage of your followers.
Email is STILL the most reliable, most profitable, and most direct way to communicate with your people who have already raised their hands to say “YES!” to hearing from you. Your emails WILL be delivered.
Then it’s YOUR job to ensure they are engaging and intriguing enough so that your audience finds the value in opening them.
(If you already have an email list that is growing, you may be better suited for my free program, Earn it with Email, which teaches you exactly how to craft passionate, inspired, transformational, and yes - PROFITABLE, email communication.)
3 Steps to Actually Hit your Goals for Email List Growth from Scratch
I whole-heartedly believe in focusing in on ONE goal at a time.
As I mentioned previously, “like attracts like,” so I’ve got a feeling if you’re anything like me, you’ve got 101 strategies that you’re itching to try when it comes to building your email list and business. And the constant struggle to stay focused on ONE goal for long enough to actually give it time to work is one that keeps rearing its head again and again in your life.
If you’re serious about building your email list from scratch, I encourage you to give it 30 days of your focused effort working towards the list build goal that we’re going to set today. So what exactly does that mean… giving it your focused effort?
For me, that would look like each day before finishing up work, determining the EXACT action step I’ll be taking FIRST thing the next day when I sit down to work on my business, that has a DIRECT correlation to my list size increasing.
Notice the 3 BOLD words… Exact, First, Direct.
Writing “build my email list” on your to-do list isn’t going to cut it. Are you going to write the welcome email that delivers your freebie? Are you going to insert an opt-in box at the end of each blog post? What EXACTLY is your action step for that day?
And I suggest that your action step is the FIRST thing that you work on in your business that day.
For example, my ONE current goal in my business is to complete this list building blog post.
So you know what I did first today? (before checking email, getting on FB, etc. etc.) I opened a Google Doc and started writing. Reconfirm that building a list is a priority for you every single day by making it your FIRST priority for the day.
Finally, be DIRECT. One way to do this is to set a specific list-building goal number that you’re slowly chipping away at.
Calculating an Email List Growth Number
So what’s your goal number? I suggest creating this goal based on your business structure and launch goals…
Do you work 1:1 with clients? Do you have a limited amount of space to fill on your client roster before your booked out? —> GREAT! Then you don’t need a big list to make this happen.
Are you creating 1:many products (like digital courses, ebooks, memberships, etc.)? Is your goal to scale and leverage your time? —> GREAT! Then you’re going to want to focus on list growth as a key metric that impacts your revenue.
I launched my first online course when I had about 700 people on my list. By the end of the launch (which included multiple promotional events such as a challenge, webinars, etc.) I had crossed the 1,000 subscriber mark. The launch resulted in 42 paid members of my very first course (which had a price point between $97-149) and achieved a revenue total of $4,589.
My suggestion …. If you’re looking to launch a leveraged offer (course, ebook, group program, etc.) having at a very minimum of 500-700 people on your list is ideal. Really want to ensure solid results? 1000 is an industry-standard suggestion prior to launching. And I agree with this recommendation.
So let’s work backwards.
What date do you want to launch your OFFER?
To reach 500 (or 1000) people on your list by the date, how many people do you need to add to your list?
** Typically 1-3% of your email list will buy your offer. Knowing this stat can help you determine how many people you need on your list to reach your revenue goal.
I like to make this calculation using both 1%, 2%, and 3% to see what’s possible, as well as adjusting your number on your list and your offer price point to see how that affects your overall revenue generated.
______ (# on email list) X 0.01 = ______ (number of people that will buy) x $_______ (your offer price) = total revenue generated from launch
Now, thinking back to the number of additional subscribers you need to add to your list to hit your list size goal prior to your launch… divide that number by the number of weeks you have until your launch date
To reach your goals, you now have an idea of how many additional people you need to add to your list per week.
Use this calculation to determine your GOAL for the next 30 days that you’ve committed to focusing on list growth or building your email list from scratch.
Write it on a sticky note. Post it to your laptop where it stares you in the face every day.
Why take the time to make these calculations at this point in your list building journey? Cause it’s EXCITING! It lets you see the incredible possibility when you focus on an activity such as this that has such an incredible impact on your business’ (or future business’) ROI.
And what you focus on GROWS.
If you’re still hemming and hawing around if email marketing is worth this time and energy for the next 30 days, then let me give you a few stats and quotes to solidify your belief and focus in the power of email marketing…
Many experts hold the belief that for every 1 subscriber, you have the capacity to generate $1/month in your business (i.e. 1000 subscribers = $1000 per month). I agree as long as you know what, how, and when to email them (link to Earn it with email)
The average order value of an email is at least 3x higher than that of social media
72% of people prefer to receive promotional content through email (compared to 17% who prefer social media)
A message is 5x more likely to be seen in email than on Facebook
66% of consumers have purchased something directly from email marketing
58% of people check their email FIRST thing in the morning (before any social media site)
You see the importance here? :)
Great! Then let’s dive into the the 4 simple steps to get started with getting your email list set up and ready to grow from scratch.
In this blog post, we’re focused on simple, to-the-point, actionable list growth activities that can be completed quickly, and then will continue to work for you on auto-pilot into the future.
STEP #1 SIGN-UP FOR A EMAIL SERVICE PROVIDER
Having an email service provider is a legally required step if you want to send out emails in mass to a group of people.
It also allows you to do fun stuff like setting up automated sequences that have the ability to sell your offers for you, and “tagging” people based on what they indicate that they are interested in.
You’re going to want an email service provider (ESP) that is intuitively easy to use as a beginner but is also robust enough to give you the automation capacities you’re going to want as you continue to grow.
I’ve used them for over 4 years. They have a simple, uncomplicated platform that intuitively makes sense, AND they have a choice of landing pages that you can use for collecting email addresses.
If you’re just getting started with your list it’s really nice to have the landing page option built into your email service, because it allows for a quicker, easier, and more streamlined system, and you don’t need extra software to set up.
You can view a bunch of great example landing pages created on ConvertKit here to get an idea of what’s possible.
And this is one I personally created for a recent online summit that I was apart of.
One kind of cool thing is that ConvertKit lets you play around with their landing page builder and create your own landing page, before even setting up an “official” account with them.
You can give it a go with creating your landing page here.
(but be sure to keep following the steps in this article so you know exactly what that landing page should be promoting!)
Also, GOOD NEWS → ConvertKit DOES have a FREE plan.
You can build your list up to 100 subscribers in ConvertKit without paying a thing.
After that, it’s $29 per month for up to 1000 subscribers. Which shouldn’t be a sweat if you use my 28 Conversion Optimized Email Sequence Swipe Files to create consistent income with your subscribers.
Want those email template swipe files for free?
If you do decide to sign up for ConvertKit through my link, just forward your welcome email to me: hello (at) summertannhauser (dot) com, and I’ll also send free access to my 28 conversion-optimized email sequence templates that are yours to keep for good.
STEP #2: CREATE AN OPT-IN FREEBIE
Here’s the deal… people typically don’t give you their email address without getting something in return.
So to make this feel like an “equal” exchange, we create something to offer our new subscribers in turn for them entering their email address into our ESP to receive it.
Like this passive income checklist & automation swipe file that I use:
When thinking about what your “freebie” should be, here’s what I always like to keep in mind:
#1 It should be about ONE thing. Not too broad or general.
#2 It should be something you’re good at and enjoy teaching or sharing about.
#3 On a topic that your audience wants so badly that they would probably pay money for it.
Here’s how to think about it:
YOUR OPT-IN OFFER = WHO (your ideal buyers) + PROBLEM (Point A) + PROMISE (Point B) + WHAT (Your solution - i.e. what will get them from Point A to Point B).
WHO - (Summarize the person you are looking to help + attract):
PROBLEM - (Summarize the problem your opt-in offer will solve):
PROMISE - (Summarize the dream result your opt-in offer creates):
WHAT - (Your solution offered in the opt-in offer):
END GOAL - (what should your audience be able to do once they consume and implement it):
Example:
Who = executive women (30 years +)
Problem = “My home is a disaster!”
Promise = “Create a home oasis zone in 10 minutes a day”
What = a 7=day plan to organize the most impactful areas of your home in 10 minutes at a time
End Goal = experience how small changes can impact the way you feel when coming home at the end of the workday; with this experience, be ready to continue the home transformation
Let’s break this down as to exactly how you can make this happen…
Think about a general topic that encompasses your entire business. What would someone say your “thing” is? We want the freebie to be able to be promoted in the majority of the content that you create, so let’s be sure it’s on a topic that you want to be “known for”.
Then go specific. Avoid topics like “how to improve your life” or “how to eat healthy.” These are way too broad and generally do poorly in enticing people. Instead try something like: “10 Simple Ways to Reinvent Yourself and Get Unstuck (at any age!)” or “12 Fail-Proof Ways to Eat Healthy on a Budget”.
Give specific tips, but also don’t go overboard. It should be actionable and includes steps that can be done in less than 30 minutes (and ideally less)
Make it look GOOD. First impressions matter, and the way your freebie looks will have an impact on how likely someone is to pay attention to it or not. Once you have your content figured out in a Google Doc, I highly suggest this Ebook + Lead Magnet Template Bundle (it’s $47) that includes hundreds of already designed page templates for your use Canva (a free online graphic design program).
For the time, stress, and frustration saved in trying to make your freebie look good (especially if you’re not naturally good at graphic design) then it’s going to be well worth your investment. If you want to “try it out” first, you can get a couple of the templates for free here in the Sample Template Kit & Canva Mini-Course.
Still not sure what your Freebie should be about?
Give this Freebie Idea Bank (25 Ideas for creating your list-growing freebie) a try to get yourself unstuck and your ideas flowing.
(you’ll find in within our free “Subscriber to Sold” training)
Once your email list is created and you’ve started to fill it with your audience from your primary & secondary social media platforms, then it’s a matter of figuring out an email communication plan to stay in touch. This becomes a part of your weekly and/or monthly “baseline” marketing system.
STEP #3 SET UP AN AUTOMATED WELCOME EMAIL SEQUENCE
Now that your new subscriber has said YES to joining your list, it’s time to engage, educate, build the relationship, and yes, sell them your offers. There will never be another time that someone is as “hungry” for more, as when that person first joins your list.
They WANT to know who you are, what you do, and how you can help them, so it’s your job to give that to them in an automated email follow-up sequence that “drips” out in the days following the delivery of your freebie opt-in to them.
Here’s an example of an initial freebie delivery email that I pulled directly from my 28 Conversion Optimized Plug-n-Play Email Sequences Swipe Copy Pack:
subject line: here's your (name of freebie)!
body:
Hey {{ subscriber.first_name }}!
So glad to have you here!
You're about to grab my personal (name of freebie), that will help you (what does the freebie do?) that (what is the big benefit?)!
Before I go any further, here's your link to download your (type of freebie: checklist, kit, etc.):
>> Download The (name of freebie) <<
If you're new around these parts, I'm (your name) and you should know that (your big mission related to this freebie) is a HUGE part of what I do
So who am I to teach/share/offer (topic that your freebie is on)? Well ... I've (short story that enhances your authority, or a description of some of your biggest achievements and/or credibility markers).
If you want to know more about how it's done, be sure to check out (one or more pieces of content - publicity, blog posts, features, etc. that support this same topic), in which I (what you share in these pieces):
Sign off
And here’s an example of using that formula “in-action”:
Hey {{ subscriber.first_name }}!
So glad to have you here!
You're about to grab my personal Passive Income Checklist + Automation Swipe File, that will help you set up a passive income strategy in your business that brings in revenue while you sleep!
Before I go any further, here's your link to download your checklist:
>> Download The Passive Income Checklist + Automation Swipe File <<
If you're new around these parts, I'm Summer Tannhauser and you should know that creating a #LiveMoreWorkLess lifestyle is a HUGE part of what I do online!
So who am I to teach passive income strategy? Well ... I've built my entire business in a way that doesn't require me to trade time for money. Instead, I've designed my business in a way that allows me to do the work ONE TIME (because passive income does still require work!) and then leverage it to reach many more people than I ever could if I was working 1-on-1 with clients. While scaling my revenue potential in the process!
If you want to know more about how it's done, be sure to check out the videos from my 5-week Passive Income Series, in which I break down exactly how to create this type of "automated empire" in your own business.
You can catch up on any of the Passive Income Series lessons here:
Week #1: Can you really make money while you sleep?
Week #2: The top 3 reasons your online course is NOT selling
Week #3: So ... you launched. Now what?!
Week #4: 3 evergreen launch strategies WITHOUT emailing your list
Week #5: The *real* ROI of evergreen courses
xo
Summer Tannhauser
I provide an entire set of 28 different email swipe copy templates and examples in my 28 Conversion Optimized Plug-n-Play Email Sequences Swipe Copy Pack. Within that pack, you’ll find the perfect email swipe copy to send in almost any business situation you find yourself, from getting ready to open to launch cart, to cleaning up your list of cold subscribers.
Once you’re got your initial welcome email in place, a very simple automated welcome sequence is what comes next.
(Pssst... before you start getting overwhelmed by this step, let me help you out. The bare minimum that you need in place is a single email that delivers “the goods” - your opt-in freebie and gives your new audience member a few next steps you want them to take. Do that ONE thing over getting paralyzed, and not moving forward)
Here’s what your automated welcome sequence might look like:
Email #1 (initial email shown above) -
Very simple email delivering the opt-in freebie that you promised, giving a quick intro of yourself and your qualifications, and providing free resource opportunities for them to continue to explore what you do (your most popular blog posts, podcast episodes, FB lives, etc.)
Email #2 (sent 1 day later):
Introduce yourself further, including exactly how you help clients (a.k.a. How you get paid), and remind subscribers of your freebie download link that they signed up for.
Address 1 additional common issue that your audience faces and your solution… something that when you mention it is going to have your new subscriber nodding her head in agreement, and thinking “ahhhhhh, she GETS me!”
Email #3 (sent 1 day later):
Tell a story. It doesn’t have to be your “business origin story.” It can simply be a small snippet from your life (often these stories are better), as long as you relate it back to a takeaway that you know is going to be profound for your new subscriber. If you have an additional “freebie” that relates to this takeaway, it would make sense to include access to it here as well.
Email #4 (sent 1 day later):
Share a success story from one of your clients, or if you don’t have clients yet, share a specific success story from your own experience. Paint a picture of what life looks like prior to working with you, and after. Share a low-priced offer to begin working with you.
I completely understand that this is all easier said than done, especially if email writing doesn’t come naturally to you. And if the thought of needing to continue to email your list “in real-time” once your automated sequence ends (ideally at least 1x per week) makes you break out in a cold sweat...
I have 3 resources to help you with that:
Make Email Work is a 30-Day "binge-worthy" program designed to transform your email list into a powerful direct communication channel with your most loyal audience members and raving fans so that you can simplify your business, while making more money, and spend more time doing what you love.
+ Make Email Work. Period. is ideal for the online entrepreneur or small business owner who has an email list (we've found that between 10 to 1,000 subscribers seems ideal for this program), but doesn't know what to do with it.
+ This program is NOT a “how-to” for setting up your list or getting your first subscribers – you can get those results for free through our friend, Google.
+ This is a systematic and action-oriented program for creating an email marketing strategy you’re proud of to connect with (and ultimately convert) your audience.
+Ideally you have a ready-to-go offer (program, product, service, affiliate offer, etc.) so that you'll be in a great position to create an immediate ROI within 30 days.
+ However you can also use the Make Email Work. Period. curriculum to nurture your current audience even if you don't have an offer yet, building and priming that relationship for the future.
This pack of 28 fully "swipeable" email sequences will take you from staring at a blinking cursor on a blank page, to profitable and proven email sequences locked and loaded (in record time), and ready to deploy for every scenario in your business.
you'll find the perfect emails to send when you are ...
delivering an opt-in "freebie"
hosting a webinar
running a 5-day challenge
offering a flash-sale
opening your cart/launch
closing your cart/launch
offering a downsell
cleaning your list of cold subscribers
sending an FAQ email
following up personally with hot leads
in this starter kit, you'll find ...
The 3 basic secrets to reviving a "dead" list, and how you can easily pull it off
11 instantly-effective strategies to 10x the results of your emails (in 10 minutes or less!)
The real truth about email marketing and why most people ignore its power
Our 17 quick-start topics that you can steal to write an effective email to your list now!
How to send as many emails as you need (how much $$ do you want to make?), and still have your people on the edge of their seat ready to open, read, and click!
34 plug-n-play, proven and profitable email subject lines for you to swipe
Hope that helps! :)
STEP #4: MAKE YOUR LIST FALL IN LOVE - A.K.A. YOUR ON-GOING EMAIL MARKETING STRATEGY
Now that you’ve taken the time to explore what your initial automated welcome sequence, it’s time to create an email marketing plan moving forward.
How will you continue to use the power of email to build the relationship with your audience, and increase your sales in the process now that they are on your list?
Here are 4 email action plans that you can pick from (taken directly out of my Make Email Work. Period. program). One is not better than the other. It’s about picking the plan that fits your preferences and style of communication.
Plan #1: The ultra-reliable once-a-weeker:
Marie Forleo is the ultimate example of this email plan. Without fail she sends out an email every week on the same day, and at approximately the same time. I’d caution against calling it a “newsletter” because it’s not. Her format changes, her topic changes, but what you can count on is getting that email every single week. Period.
Plan #2: The every-d@mn-dayer:
This style calls for an email sent every single day of the year. A bit over the top for some? Sure. But does it work for others? Absolutely.
Ben Settle is the example that comes to mind here. Just like people that start writing in a journal every day or meditating every morning … the more you do it, the easier it becomes. You better believe your ability to tell stories, to think up engaging topics, and to write more action-inspiring emails is going to improve if you’re committed to writing one every single day.
Plus, you can actually “soft sell” in each email rather than waiting until a specific launch period. I’ve tried this style out for a 30 day period that I called my “Summer Snippets Series,” which would be another option to improve your email skills for a month, yet not commit to the long term.
Plan #3: The when-the-mood-hits-me writer:
I typically fall into this category. I write emails based on my mood, based on if I have something I want to share, and based on what’s currently going on in my business. If I’ve got a promotion coming up, I’ll be emailing more, and once the cart opens you’ll be hearing from me every single day. If it’s during the holidays or a down period, you might go a few weeks without hearing from me.
The key here is that you can’t go more than 2 weeks, 3 weeks max, without sending out an email. Even in those “slow” times, you need your name appearing in their inbox to keep their interest flowing (and so they don’t forget who you are). With the lessons you’ve learned in the program, you should now have no problem throwing together a high-quality story-based email when the time arises.
Plan #4: The autoresponder maniac:
Are you the kind of person who likes to do the grunt work upfront, and then reap the benefits in the future? Or you simply want to “do” your email system once, and not have to keep worrying about always writing more?
Autoresponders may be the answer for you. If you’ve set up a welcome sequence or a sales funnel then you’ve already implemented an autoresponder - a sequence of emails pre-scheduled to be sent out at specific increments.
But what if you took that concept further. What if for the first 8 weeks of being on your email list, your new subscriber received 2 emails per week of your best “stuff” … older emails, blog posts, etc. that really resonated with your audience.
What if you extended that autoresponder out to a full 6 months of emails? Or maybe you increase the intensity and send an email every other day for the first 30 days on your list. Your new subscribers are the most engaged and most likely to open your emails. So this is a great way to hit them with your good stuff right from the start.
Reinforce your story, share your why, build your brand image, give away a freebie, and of course - make an offer. You can’t go wrong here. The more conversation - the better.
Pick the email plan that speaks most to you at this moment. Set up a test period. Commit for several months. Reevaluate.
Am I enjoying myself? Is this hitting my personal work-style needs and my business growth needs? Do I feel an inkling to try something else? Change. Try it. Commit. And evaluate again.
You have the skills you need. Now it’s time to put pen to paper … erm, I mean fingers to keyboard … and write!
Build your Email List from Scratch Implementation Plan
Starting and building your email list from scratch is one of those activities where the best time to start was yesterday, and the next best time is today.
Remember, it’s as simple as 4 steps:
Picking your Email Service Provider (ESP) - I recommend ConvertKit for ease of use and ability to scale up as you grow
Creating a valuable opt-in freebie - that your potential subscribers will feel is worth giving their email address in exchange for it
Setting up an automated email welcome sequence - 1 email minimum, but ideally, a few that ultimately sell an initial low-priced offer
Deciding on you on-going email communication plan - you pick the frequency and most importantly commit to it
Once you have those initial pieces in place, the opportunities to promote your email list opt-in are endless.
Think about any of the marketing activities that you may engage with on a regular basis - Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, podcasts, guest posting, virtual summits, etc. (don’t have a simple marketing plan in place yet? You need our blog post “How to Create Highly Effective Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Marketing Plan (in less than 30 minutes)”). You now have a specific GOAL for every single piece of content that you create - to get people on your email list!
Instead of going directly for a sale, and losing the large percentage of people who are not ready to buy right away, you will have the ability to continue to develop a relationship with them and provide opportunities for the sale in the future through your list.
How to Build an Email List from Scratch
And that’s it! You’ve got everything you need to start and grow your email list from scratch. You're well on your way, and if it’s been on your to-do list for a while, I wouldn’t put it off another day!
Let me know in the comments what freebie opt-in you’re considering creating to build your list. I’d love to see it!