How to Grow Your Email List in 7 Steps (2025 Guide)
Building an email list sounds simple, doesn’t it? Invest in a marketing course, learn about lead magnets, and voila—your inbox will flood with new subscribers eager to hear from you. At least, that’s the dream we’re often sold. The reality? It takes strategy, trial and error, and a whole lot of hustle.
When I started my journey, I was sitting on the fence about actually starting. I told myself, “I’ll figure it out later,” but the truth is, later rarely comes unless you take action. That’s when I realized that having the right guidance and tools is what helps you move forward faster.
If you’ve been hesitating like I was, I’ll share how you can skip some of the headaches I faced—without feeling overwhelmed. Ready to learn how to build your email list the right way? Let’s get into it.
7 Steps on How to Build Your Email List
1. Choose your platform
Before you can grow an email list, you need an audience. Whether it’s a podcast, Facebook group, blog, or YouTube channel, pick a platform that feels authentic to you. For me, it’s my podcast and FB group, where I connect with my community, answer questions, and share insights.
If you’re not sure where to start, think about how you naturally communicate. Writers and mumpreneurs might lean toward blogging, while extroverts might shine on Instagram or YouTube. The key is to offer value and build trust before asking for an email.
2. Create a lead magnet
A lead magnet is something valuable that your audience can download in exchange for their email address. Think checklists, templates, or guides.
When I started, my first lead magnets weren’t very successful because I didn’t know my audience well enough. Now, after 12 months of engaging with my FB group and having real conversations, my latest lead magnet has been a hit. Why? Because it directly addresses their pain points.
If the idea of creating a lead magnet feels daunting, don’t worry—you’re not alone. That’s why I’ve included a step-by-step guide on building lead magnets in HER Digital Freedom, my membership program designed to help you grow your online business. I’ll walk you through exactly what to create, how to package it, and how to share it so you don’t waste time guessing.
3. Design the landing page
Your lead magnet needs a home—a landing page where people can learn about the freebie and enter their email. My first landing page was a nightmare. My husband, Adam, had to figure it out overnight, and while it worked, it wasn’t efficient.
Fast forward to today, and I’ve learned to create my own landing pages using HighLevel, my CRM. It captures emails and organizes them in one place. The process is no longer daunting, but it took time and patience to learn.
Tip: Keep your landing page clean and focused. Use a headline that grabs attention, clear visuals, and a simple call-to-action button.
4. Capture the emails in the platform
Your CRM (Customer Relationship Management platform) is where you store and organize subscriber emails. Start capturing emails as early as possible, even if you don’t have a newsletter ready yet. This way, when you’re ready to start nurturing your audience, you already have a solid foundation.
I waited too long to start my email marketing—about eight months into my journey. When I finally launched my email campaign, I felt overwhelmed. To simplify the process, I hired someone from my community to help me create workflows and launch my first emails.
5. Launch your email campaign
A great email campaign starts with a welcome series. These first few emails introduce your brand, set expectations, and build rapport.
For example, my welcome sequence includes three emails:
- A warm introduction and what to expect from my emails.
- A free resource or tip to provide immediate value.
- An invitation to join my FB group or check out a podcast episode.
Consistency is key here. Pick a day and time to send your emails, and stick to it. For me, it’s every Wednesday at 8 p.m. AEDT.
Tip: For great onboarding experiences, create an indoctrination sequence to welcome a new subscriber without throwing them off with your latest emails. And make sure you’ve got an accessible “UNSUBSCRIBE” button too!
6. Don’t stop promoting
Once your lead magnet is live, don’t stop promoting it. Share it in FB groups, include it in your social media bios, and mention it in your podcast or YouTube videos.
I learned this the hard way. After creating my first lead magnet, I expected downloads to roll in automatically. In reality, I had to actively share it in FB groups and forums to gain traction.
7. Keep it niched
As your email list grows, consider segmenting your subscribers into different groups based on their interests or needs. Most CRMs allow you to tag subscribers, making it easy to send targeted emails.
For example, I tag subscribers based on whether they signed up through a lead magnet, my FB group, or my website. This helps me send content that’s relevant to their interests, increasing engagement and conversions.
Tip: Include a call-to-action (CTA) in every email. Whether it’s joining your FB group, listening to your podcast, or downloading another freebie, give your readers a clear next step.
Final Thoughts
Building an email list takes time, effort, and persistence. It’s not just about creating a great lead magnet—it’s about consistently promoting it, engaging with your audience, and refining your approach as you go.
For me, the past 12 months have been a mix of wins and lessons. I’ve built a small but engaged list, launched my online course, and seen firsthand how email marketing can drive results. But I’m still learning, hustling, and trusting the process.
So, if you’re ready to learn how to build your email list, remember: start where you are, stay consistent, and never stop promoting your value. Your audience is out there—you just have to show up for them. Download my free guide to learn how to grow your email list with even more value than this blog post.
