Building An Email List (Without Losing Your Sanity)
Written by Joshua Smith - Published 22 May, 2025
Let's be honest: growing an email list can sometimes feel like trying to herd cats during a thunderstorm. It's noisy, chaotic, and occasionally claw-filled. But if you're a content pro, you already know that a quality mailing list is one of your most valuable assets. The trick is growing it efficiently without burning out or selling your soul to the gods of popups and spam folders.
1. Ditch the Desperate Popups
Yes, popups work. But if they’re interrupting your readers mid-scroll with "WAIT! Don’t leave!", you might be doing more harm than good. Instead, try a tasteful exit-intent popup or a slide-in that appears after a reader has engaged with at least half the page. Bonus points for charm. Think: “Hey, you've got great taste - wanna keep in touch?”
2. Offer Something That Doesn't Suck
People don't give away their email address for a pat on the back. Offer a lead magnet that delivers instant value. It could be:
- A checklist (e.g., “10 Things to Fix Before Hitting Publish”)
- A mini-course
- Exclusive access to your behind-the-scenes process
- Discounts, free templates, or downloadable tools
The key? Make sure it solves a real problem for your ideal subscriber. Don't just create fluff for fluff's sake.
3. Make Signup Dead Simple
Remove unnecessary friction. That means:
- Keep forms short (Name + Email is plenty)
- Place your form where it's easy to find - above the fold, in your blog sidebar, and at the end of posts
- Make sure it looks great on mobile
And for heaven's sake, check your confirmation process. If you're still making people jump through email verification hoops from 2003, it's time to modernize.
4. Automate with Heart
Once someone signs up, don't ghost them. Use automation to deliver a welcome email (or a short sequence) that introduces you, sets expectations, and delivers your promised freebie. Make it personal. Make it useful. Make it you.
Tools like MailerLite, ConvertKit, and GetResponse make this easy; even if you're not a tech wizard.
5. Keep the List Warm
List-building isn't a one-and-done. You’ve got to keep nurturing your audience, like a digital bonsai tree. Send them:
- Fresh content that you've published
- Behind-the-scenes peeks
- Helpful tips, tools, or curated links
- Occasional, tasteful promos (if you're selling something)
Don't overdo it - but don't disappear either. A monthly email is a good place to start. Weekly if you've got the bandwidth (and something worth saying).
6. Stay GDPR Compliant
Even if you're not based in Europe, respecting privacy is the mark of a pro. Let subscribers know what they're signing up for, use double opt-in if needed, and give them an easy way to unsubscribe. A healthy, happy list is one that wants to be there.
7. Celebrate Small Wins
Building a list takes time. Don't panic if you're not hitting 10k subscribers in your first month. Focus on quality over quantity, and remember that even 100 engaged subscribers are more valuable than 10,000 who never open your emails.
In Summary: Grow your list with intention. Be generous, be human, and be consistent. You're building a community, not simply a contact database. And yes, you can do it all without losing your marbles.
