3 Essential Things You Need to Grow Your Email List
Email Outshines Everything Else
If you’ve been relying on social media to connect with your audience, here’s the truth: you don’t own your followers. Algorithms change. Accounts get locked. Platforms disappear. When that happens, so does your access to the people you’ve worked hard to reach.
Your email list, on the other hand, is an asset you own. It’s direct, reliable, and personal. In fact, email marketing consistently delivers the highest ROI of any digital marketing channel—beating out social media by a wide margin. But here’s the good news: building an email list doesn’t have to be complicated. You really only need three things.
1. A Lead Generator That Attracts the Right People
A lead generator is simply a free resource—like a checklist, quiz, or guide—that solves a small but urgent problem for your ideal audience. It’s the value you give in exchange for an email address. Think of it as the first step in building trust with your audience. Instead of asking for something (their contact info) with nothing in return, you’re giving them something genuinely helpful.
Why it matters: People need a reason to subscribe. A strong lead generator shows you understand their problem and positions you as the solution. Without it, you’re essentially saying, “Join my list because I said so”—and that rarely works.
What makes a good lead generator:
It’s specific: solves one clear problem.
It’s actionable: delivers something they can use right away.
It’s aligned: directly related to your paid offer, so it attracts the right kind of leads.
👉 Want examples and step-by-step instructions? Grab my freebie, The Ultimate List of Lead Generators, where I break down exactly how to create one that works for your business.
Common mistakes to avoid:
Making your freebie too broad or generic.
Creating something unrelated to what you actually offer.
Overloading your audience with too much information (they’ll never finish it).
FAQ
Q1: Do I need more than one lead generator?
A1: Not at first. Start with one strong, relevant freebie. Once your audience grows, you can create more tailored resources.
Q2: What if I don’t know what to create?
A2: Think about the most common question your audience asks. Turn the answer into a quick, helpful download. My Ultimate List of Lead Generators can help you brainstorm the perfect idea.
2. A Blog That Consistently Drives Traffic
Your blog is the engine that fuels long-term list growth. It’s where you answer questions, solve problems, and show up in Google searches. Unlike social media posts that vanish in 24 hours, blogs continue to work for you years later.
Your blog also acts as a hub for your expertise. Each post gives you content you can repurpose across email, LinkedIn, or Instagram—so you’re not reinventing the wheel every time you want to show up online. The more consistently you publish, the more authority you build in your niche.
Paired with a strategic lead generator, your blog becomes a natural on-ramp for subscribers. Each post can guide readers toward downloading your free resource—and joining your list. Over time, this creates a steady stream of traffic and opt-ins that compounds month after month.
Pro tip: Don’t just tack your lead generator onto the end of a post. Place it in multiple spots—like a pop-up, inline graphic, or sidebar—so readers see it no matter how far they scroll.
FAQ
Q1: What if no one reads my blog at first?
A1: That’s normal. Blogging is a long-term game. With consistent posting and SEO strategy, traffic builds over time.
Q2: How often do I need to publish to see results?
A2: Once a week is ideal, but even once or twice a month can make an impact if you’re consistent and intentional.
3. An Email Service Provider That Works for You
An Email Service Provider (ESP) is the software that stores your email addresses and lets you send messages legally and efficiently. It handles automation, personalization, and compliance.
If you’re brand new and already using Squarespace, you might consider trying Squarespace Campaigns. It’s not my top recommendation long-term because dedicated ESPs are so good at what they do—and it’s all they do—but it can be an okay starting point. The good news is you can easily download your email list from Squarespace Campaigns later and upload it into a dedicated ESP when you’re ready.
Personally, I love using Kit because it’s simple, powerful, and perfect for small business owners. But there are other good options too. The important thing is not to let “choosing the right tool” hold you back. Pick one and get started.
Check out Kit here 👉 Kit
FAQ
Q1: What’s the cheapest E?
A1: Many providers (including Kit) offer free or low-cost starter plans. Start small and upgrade when your list grows.
Q2: Can I just email people directly from Gmail?
A2: No—you’ll quickly run into spam issues, compliance problems, and serious limitations. An ESP keeps you professional and legal.
Putting It All Together
Here’s the formula: Blog → Lead Generator → ESP. That’s it. You don’t need a complicated funnel or a huge budget. Just three essentials that work together to grow your list, nurture your audience, and bring in consistent leads.
Next Steps
Take a quick audit: Do you already have one or two of these in place? Which one are you missing? Start there.
👉 Want step-by-step guidance? Join my free class where I’ll walk you through the framework for getting more traffic to your Squarespace website so you can grow your audience.
👉 Or, explore my resources page and start building your list today.
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