Whether you’re brand-new to email marketing or you’ve been at it for years, I’m willing to bet you’ve wondered how to grow your newsletter or email list. Just like getting new followers on Instagram or increasing your podcast downloads, growing an email list can take time. 😅 If your growth feels stagnant (or painfully slow), however, try implementing these email growth strategies to increase your subscribers and impact!

This blog post includes affiliate links. I earn a small percentage of sales made through these links. Affiliate links are indicated by an asterisk (*).

Need tips for growing an email list? Pin to save!

Best Practices for Email Marketing

There are a few things you should know about email marketing before you grow your list. The first is that your email needs to be in compliance. Major email companies like Google and Yahoo made adjustments to their platforms a couple of years ago. These new compliance measures prevent users from being bombarded with spam. If you’re not sure if you’re in compliance, check out my Flodesk Deliverability DIY Guide or book a Newsletter Compliance Setup!

You also need to be aware of this big no-no when it comes to growing an email list. People might reach out about selling you email addresses or leads. Don’t do it! Emailing people who have not consented to receive emails from you is not only icky and tanks your deliverability rates, but it’s illegal in many countries.

How to Grow a Newsletter

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to grow an email list, no matter how big or small your existing list is. 🙌🏻

#1 Create a Valuable Freebie

Not only do people love free things, but a well-done freebie will boost credibility and trust with your new subscriber (score!). You can create a checklist, a helpful guide, or a template that solves a quick problem. Not sure what freebie to create? Think about the common problems or challenges your audience faces, and how you can help. With my Designer Day service, I can design a professional opt-in for you and create a landing page in your email service provider!

#2 Set Up a Resource Library

Can’t decide on just one freebie? 😉 With a resource library, you can give people access to a collection of resources in exchange for their email list. This is especially great for digital sellers who want to showcase several resources at once. I can design and organize a resource library that fits seamlessly into your brand with my Designer Day service!

#3 Add Email Sign-Up Forms to Your Website

When people ask me how to grow a newsletter, I always point to their website! There are so many opportunities to promote your newsletter, freebies, or resource library. I recommend including sign-up forms in high-traffic areas, like your home page, blog posts, and footer. I’ve helped several clients create visually appealing sign-up forms and put them on their websites during my Designer Day service.

#4 Migrate to a Better Platform

If your current website platform feels outdated or hard to use, it’s worth switching to a more user-friendly email provider, like Flodesk*. This can make list building easier because you can navigate the platform better and feel more confident creating forms and promoting your list! Book a Designer Day and I’ll handle your entire email migration, so you can easily get started with a new platform.

Building an email list doesn’t happen overnight, but with these tips, you’ll know how to grow a newsletter strategically over time – so you attract the right people to your list. 😊