Last week I mentioned how I monetize my email list and promised a follow up to give you some ideas on how to collect email addresses and grow your list.

These are the 5 basic steps but first, you need a lead magnet if you don’t already have one.

A lead magnet is a freebie that gives your ideal client something they need and want before purchasing your services. Something which helps them identify you as an expert in your field to work with you more confidently.

1. Promote your lead magnet on social media every chance you get. Create a call to action after a relevant post for them to download a PDF which helps them dive deeper into the topic you just posted about.

2. Promote your lead magnet on every page of your website. This way, even if a prospect is not ready to buy from you yet, they’ll get on your list by downloading your lead magnet. When you send out emails, you’ll be top of mind for when they are ready to buy.

3. Last but not least, run ads to your lead magnet. This is a relatively inexpensive way to grow your list. By nurturing your community through email, with the know like and trust factor, you’ll eventually sell more of your services to them directly.

4. Have a contact form on your website which collects names and email addresses,  that then sends it directly to your email service provider (ESP). Most ESPs connect to contact forms on websites either directly or indirectly through an app called Zapier.

To be clear, an email service provider like Flodesk (👈 affiliate link) is what you’ll use to send nurturing emails to your list. So why not automate the process of sending emails to your ESP instead of manually collecting them in a spreadsheet only to then upload them?

If you know me, you know I use automation as much as possible so that my assistant and I work on high value tasks.

5. Collaborate with other businesses in your industry who serve the same audience. Do Instagram lives with them because their audience automatically sees your live AND the replay afterward.

During the live, mention your freebie (with your colleague’s permission of course) and invite prospects to download it.

And that’s it! Let me know in the comments below if this blog was helpful.⏬