How to Get Email Subscribers: 10 Proven Strategies to Explode Your Email List

Implement this short, 5-step guide:

1. Define your target audience: Consider demographics, psychographics, and user behavior to understand their specific needs and preferences.
2. Conduct market research: Use surveys, polls, or analyze competitors’ marketing strategies to understand user intent and behavior.
3. Create buyer personas: Develop detailed profiles of your ideal target audiences. Use goals, motivations, and challenges to understand them better.
4. Monitor online conversations: Use social listening tools to monitor conversations related to your industry and brand.
5. Analyze website traffic: Utilize web conversion tools to understand which pages and content resonate with your audiences.

Before choosing an ESP, consider the following factors:

• Identify your needs and goals, such as your email list size, frequency of emails, and level of automation required.
• Evaluate the ESP’s deliverability to know if your emails are more likely to reach recipient inboxes. Look for features such as spam protection, authentication protocols (SPF, DKIM, and DMARC), and compliance with email marketing regulations (CAN-SPAM & GDPR).
• Assess scalability and choose an ESP that can grow with your needs. 
• Check integration options and ensure the ESP connects with other marketing channels such as CRM, lead generation, or social media tools.
• Review their support, subscription plans, and migration assistance if required.

Collect opt-in emails using the following tips:

• Provide a clear value proposition and tell users what benefits they receive (Industry updates, valuable content, or exclusive discounts).
• Use a strong CTA with action-oriented words such as “Subscribe now,” “Download the Guide,” or “Sign up to [Your brand name].”
• Consider creating different opt-in forms for various website visitors and buyer personas.
• Limit the number of form fields to reduce tiring out visitors. Ideally, a name and email address field is sufficient.
• Ensure your forms are optimized for mobile devices.

For example, you can use the following areas to place your forms:

• Inline opt-in form: Embed forms in webpages aligning with the content 
• Footer opt-in: Capture visitors who scroll all the way, indicating high interest in your brand.
• Exit intent pop-up: Use a pop-up as visitors move their cursors toward the exit button to offer a last chance to subscribe.
• Welcome mat pop-up: On arrival, greet new visitors with a pop-up urging them to subscribe for more updates.

Here’s how content upgrades work:

1. Create value-driven content such as blog posts, articles, or other relevant pieces.
2. Identify a specific section of content or include a secondary resource that offers in-depth value, such as checklists, case studies, cheat sheets, or templates.
3. Make the bonus content accessible only through opt-in forms.

Based on your industry, your content upgrades can be any of the following:

• Blog posts: Summarize key highlights from your blogs or provide a swipe file of important topics such as ”Subject line ideas for email marketing.”
• Online tools: Develop a calculator or online tool related to your industry. For example, a financial website can offer a calculator for loan repayments.
• Workbooks and templates: Expand on your content with a downloadable workbook that guides users through a process or solves a specific problem.
• Chapter sneak peeks: If you’re promoting an e-book, offer exclusive access to bonus content that’s not currently available with the original version.

These best practices will help you handle pop-up forms the right way:

• Offer a clear value proposition: Tell visitors what they get if they subscribe to your mailing list. For example, “Get 10% off on your first purchase.”
• Use a stunning design: Use attractive visuals and compelling design to attract attention and encourage sign-ups.
• Implement strategic timing: Avoid bombarding visitors when they land on your website. Consider using exit intent pop-ups or delayed triggers.
• Use an easy opt out option: Provide a one-click option to close the pop-up and avoid subscribing if not interested.
• Utilize A/B testing: Split test different pop-up form options to understand what resonates with your audience.

You can create downloadable resources based on this, such as:

• E-books: In-depth topics relating to your niche.
• Whitepapers: Credible reports presenting industry data and research.
• Templates: Pre-formatted documents such as checklists, planners, etc.
• Webinars: Live or recorded webinars on a popular industry topic.
• Discounts/coupons: Provide exclusive offers in exchange for email addresses.

However, it’s crucial to follow the right steps to create an engaging experience for the participants, such as:

• Select a genuinely appealing prize that aligns with your brand image.
• Keep the entry methods simple and clear, such as social media sharing, email sign-up, or referrals.
• Set a realistic timeframe for the contest to give enough time for more people to notice it and participate.
• Promote your contests on multiple channels such as social media, blogs, paid advertising, and influencer marketing.
• Ensure to announce the winners on the mentioned date and don’t forget to follow up with the participants, even those who didn’t win. 

Here are key strategies to leverage for social media promotions:

• Tailor the social media content according to each platform’s audiences.
• Immediately highlight the benefits and show people the value of subscribing to your email list.
• Include clear call-to-action such as “Sign up to the email list.”

These tips will help you create effective email sign-offs:

1. Use action-oriented language that entices people to sign up. For example, “Get exclusive content on [name of the product].”
2. Start with a strong verb such as “Join us”, “Subscribe”, “sign up” to encourage action.
3. Use a clear link text instead of a generic text such as “Join our mailing list.”
4. Link to a dedicated landing page with your brand value proposition. 
5. Maintain a professional and visually appealing signature that draws focus onto the signup link.

Follow this step-by-step guide:

1. Identify websites that match your target demographics and interests. 
2. Guest post on high-authority sites to increase brand credibility and visibility.
3. Focus on creating valuable and informative content that addresses specific problems.
4. Integrate a clear CTA and direct readers to the landing page or opt-in form.
5. Optimize your bio and include a link back to your email subscription page.
6. Share your guest post across social media channels to increase its reach.

These tips are a great starting point if you have the budget for ads:

• Identify user challenges and how your email list can provide solutions.
• Choose the right platform, for example, Search Engine Marketing, Social Media Advertising, or Display Advertising.
• Craft captivating ads with clear headlines, high-quality visuals, and a strong CTA.
• Set a realistic budget based on your goals and campaign duration.
• Explore different bidding options on your chosen platform, such as Cost-Per-Click, Cost-per-Acquisition, etc.
• Consider implementing a discount code or exclusive access to encourage more sign-ups.

Once you choose a business, you can craft mutually beneficial promotions such as:

• Co-hosted webinars or events: Offer a joint webinar or online promotion relevant to both audiences and require email signups.
• Provide discounts or offers: Offer exclusive access to content or discounts on products in exchange for email signups.
• Guest posting and content collaboration: Write guest blog posts for each others’ websites and add convincing CTAs.