Friday Freebie - Email List Growth Workbook

So many people tell me when I’m coaching them that they really haven’t put a lot of focus on their email list. They’re embarrassed about it, actually. They know from talking with other bloggers and writers that an email list is the one sure thing they can control and grow regardless of what happens to another selling platform – like Amazon, iTunes, BookBub, etc.

Remember – you own your list. No one can take it from you – and every time you send out an email, it’s an opportunity for you to connect with your readers and demonstrate that what you write and share has value.

So relax. It’s never too late to build your email list.

If you’re doing a great job with blogging and working on your website, and posting regularly on social media, then your email list should be growing by at least 500 (net of unsubscribes) per month (without spending a time, I might add). Many top bloggers will grow by at least 2500 per month. If differs for a lot of niches, authors, bloggers, podcasters, etc. But the standard metric of healthy growth is considered 500 net growth per month. If you’re not growing by at least that number every month without spending money, then something’s up.

Many newbies (remember, we all start fresh, ok) make the mistake of simply making a ton of social media posts about their newsletter or email list. They ask people to sign up, and put a link. Ok, that might work for a few subscribers here and there, but that is NOT the answer or solution to substantial growth.

People need to be given a reason to sign up. When I’m prompted with a post like that, I often mumble to myself… “why?” Why should I sign up? What do I get? How will I benefit from being on this list?

And that reader needs to be given a reason why, if you want them to stick around. Now, you’re not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. You can’t please everyone all the time. But you should be able to secure, if you’re doing it right, a minimum of 15-20 subscribers a day of new people to get your materials in front of. If you’re not, the biggest reason is…

You haven’t given them a good enough opt-in reason, an impressive lead magnet, or something of value in exchange for their email address.

It’s not about how many times you post on social media or where your subscribe button is at. It’s whether or not you’ve given them a good enough reason to sign up or stick around.

Here is a list of just a few other reasons your list is not growing:

You haven’t focused on creating or brainstorming 3 key content upgrades for your readers to receive in exchange for their email address.

Your opt-in just isn’t compelling enough or isn’t a good match with the traffic you’re receiving.

Your opt-in reason isn’t unique or original and can be downloaded elsewhere (or it’s repeat information).

So in this 12-page workbook we’re going to work on making 3 key content upgrades or lead magnets, and I’m going to give you a checklist so that every time you create one to give away on your website, you have the right pieces of marketing content to get those signups left and right. Also in the workbook is a progress chart so you can see how each list segment or tag group is growing. Let’s do this!