How to Get More Email Subscribers Without Spending Money on Advertising
Building your email list is always going to be a major priority (it should be anyway) as you build and grow your business. When you launch a new product, create new content, or maybe you want to send out an invitation to an event you’re hosting you are going to want to utilize your list.
Before you jump ahead and invest in advertising as your sole email list feeder, I suggest having your organic marketing in ship shape first. That way you're covering all of your bases so when you don’t have ads running you’re not hurting your business with a simple on and off switch.
Good quality content that features CTA's (calls to action) throughout each post
Choosing a content medium is a necessity for the growth of your business. Not only will it allow you to establish your authority in your niche, but it will also drive traffic to your site. This is why you would want to optimize each post (whether it’s video, blog, or podcast) so you’re getting paid via subscribers for your work.
Pop-ups or slide-outs on your website
Yes, pop-ups can be a pain and the conversion rates are lower than a normal landing page, but they are a tried and true marketing tactic. Most pop-ups or slide-outs have a settings feature where you can tweak their timing (15 seconds is a good range) so your visitors don’t feel like they’re walking by the perfume counter and getting bombarded.
Freebies
Creating multiple freebies is a fantastic way to grow your list because you cover more ground this way. If you just have one signature freebie then how do you know what your audience needs more of? People appreciate options and it’s a great way for your subscribers to sample the work you do. Plus, it gives you more content for your social media posts and organic marketing.
CTA on each page of your website
Comb through your site and do an audit. Are you optimizing the space you have? Make sure you have opportunities for people to get on your list in key areas like your announcement bar (top of the page), throughout each page (sprinkled conservatively and not pushy), and your footer. Don’t forget to create a tab for your navigation bar so they can view more of your freebies. I have mine all sorted out inside my freebie vault.
Pinterest marketing
Every month we create pins for new content and existing freebies. If you haven’t made friends with the business side of Pinterest, please do, your email list will thank you for it!
Link in bio
Seems obvious but I see so many people on Instagram miss this goldmine of a tip! Use your website as your link in the bio page and put all your goodies on it! Here’s mine ↓
CTA on social media posts
Make good use of the work you put in your social media content and bring people somewhere. Here’s how I promoted a free class on Instagram ↓
Email signature
Your email signature has some great real estate (Gmail) that you may be underutilizing. A great tool to help you polish this up a bit is WiseStamp. Here’s what mine looks like ↓
CTA on Facebook banner images
You know those Facebook banners inside your groups and on your business page that you work so hard to create? Sign off on them by giving people a reason to go leave Facebook (gasp!) and come over to your world. Here’s a simple example ↓
Podcast guest
When you’re a guest on a podcast, the host will more than likely ask you to mention your work at the end of the episode. If you’re really crafty, then you’ll weave it into your interview, and as people listen they will hop on over to your site and get on your list that way or by the host, mentioning your links in the show notes. I was recently a guest on Robyn Graham’s podcast and her team did a beautiful job of promoting my coaching services and content. See it all here.
High converting landing pages
You could have the best freebies in town, but if you’re landing pages stink then no one is going to ever see them. I love using Flodesk to create mine. Here’s a Flodesk coupon to help you if you want 50% off. Landing pages need not be complicated either. In fact, the simpler the better (another reason why I love Flodesk.) The landing page anatomy should consist of the following:
Title of the freebie
Tagline
Bullet points that are specific, can stand alone, and show the desired transformation
A bright button with a good copy (sign me up style)
Guest blogging
If you feel more comfortable guest blogging than collaborating via video or podcast, please know that this is still a great way to get your name out there. If the blog owner is okay with you (they usually are) dropping your links inside your copy then, by all means, do that! Their traffic is similar to yours more than likely and it’s a great opportunity for exposure and list growth. Just be sure your blog content is relatable to the freebie you’re promoting.
Host a webinar
Hosting webinars is an excellent way to build your list and gives people the opportunity to now only learn from you but to hear your voice and see your face. I remember feeling so nervous to do my first webinar (I made my husband take the kids and leave the house for two hours!) and now I could do them every day all day! Think of a topic you’d love to teach to your audience, grab a Canva presentation template, and get to creating!
Create a quiz
Everyone loves a good quiz. Especially if they’re able to find something out that they didn’t know before. I honestly don’t think you could go wrong here.
I have a quiz that allows my visitors to see which one of my programs is right for them, but I’m sure you could be much more creative than I and create something your people would love to take and maybe even forward it to others too!
So you see, my friends, how it easy it is to build your list for free and not have to invest in advertising? Now don’t get me wrong, advertising is fantastic and it has its time and place in my business model for sure, but I don’t heavily rely on it because I know how fast things can change and I never want to have all of my eggs in one basket. I can sleep easy knowing that my business will be strong because I’ve taken the time to have all of these email list building strategies locked, perfected, and in place.