Email subscribers are your golden ticket—potential and current clients who actually want to hear from you. You OWN your list! Unlike your followers on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok (which could disappear faster than Vine and Periscope did), your email list is a business asset that stays with you.
Building an email list isn’t as easy as it once was. Simply asking visitors to “Sign up for my newsletter!” won’t cut it anymore. People need a reason—a juicy incentive, exclusive content, or something too good to pass up.
And here’s the kicker: A small, highly engaged list beats a massive, unengaged one any day. Quality > quantity.
STEP 1: Choose an Email Marketing Platform
To start, you need a tool that helps you collect emails, segment your list, send campaigns, and track results. Bonus points if it helps you automate and create landing pages. Here are some solid options:
MailChimp – FREE
- FREE for first 14-days, then $19.56/month (500 Contacts)
- Customizable plans based on number of contacts/emails
- Generative AI Features
- Advanced Segmentation and Reporting
- Custom-coded email templates
- Marketing automation
- Custom signup forms & landing pages
- Landing Pages
- Contact Management
- Analytics, A/B Testing, Reports
ConstantContact
- FREE Trial / $12/month
- AI+ Craft the perfect message
- More than 100 Email Templates
- Email automation and tracking tools
- Social Media integration
Kit formerly known as ConvertKit (Best for Creators & Advanced Users):
- 14-Day FREE Trial?
- AI+ craft the perfect message
- Powerful automation and segmentation
- Customizable opt-in forms
- Simple tagging system for subscribers
Emma (Best for mall to Medium Businesses)
- Plans starting at $99 / month for $10,000 contacts
- AI+ for perfecting messaging
- Beautiful easy to use customized templates
- SMS and social media integration
- Automation and segmentation
Once you pick your platform, upload any existing email contacts and start growing your list!
STEP 2: Give the People What They Want
Before you start collecting emails, research what content your audience actually wants. Here’s how:
- Google Trends – Find trending topics in your niche./li>
- Top Blogs in Your Industry – See what’s getting the most engagement.
- Keyword Research – Use SEO tools (like Google Keyword Planner) to discover popular search terms.
- Social Media Hashtags – Track what’s trending in your industry.
- Industry Magazines – For beauty & aesthetics, New Beauty is a goldmine.
STEP 3: Convert Social Media Followers into Email Subscribers
Your social media followers like your content, but you don’t own that relationship until they join your email list. Here’s how to turn them into subscribers:
Use Lead Magnets (a.k.a. Irresistible Freebies)
People aren’t giving up their email for nothing. Offer something valuable in exchange:
- A discount or coupon
- A free consultation
- An exclusive eBook or guide
- A checklist or cheat sheet
- A free treatment (for beauty/aesthetic businesses)
- A webinar or training
- Styled images or templates
Once you create your lead magnet, treat it like a product launch—promote it, build hype, and get people excited!
STEP 4: Create Opt-In Opportunities Everywhere
Your website and social media should be working for you. Optimize every touchpoint to capture emails.
On Your Website:
- Lightbox pop-ups – Appear after a visitor spends a few seconds on your site.
- Exit-intent pop-ups – Show up when someone’s about to leave.
- Slide-in forms – Appear after a visitor scrolls 50% down the page.
- Mobile-specific pop-ups – Optimized for smaller screens.
On Facebook:
- Create a dedicated “Sign Up” tab that connects to your email platform.
- Post about your lead magnet with a direct opt-in link.
- Run Facebook Lead Ads to collect emails without needing a landing page.
On Instagram & TikTok:
- Add a sign-up link in your bio (use tools like Linktree or Milkshake).
- Use Stories & Reels to promote your lead magnet.
STEP 5: Advertise & Test for Maximum Growth
Relying on organic traffic? That’s cute. But if you want real results, paid ads will speed things up.
Use Facebook & Instagram ads to drive traffic to your opt-in page.
A/B test your landing pages – Try different headlines, images, and CTAs.
Let Facebook’s algorithm learn – Give it time to optimize your audience targeting.
Remember: The more you test, the better your conversion rates get over time!
Final Thoughts
Once you’ve built your email list, the real work begins—nurturing your subscribers with valuable content and offers.
And if you want to skyrocket your email open rates, grab my list of 100 Best Subject Lines for Health & Beauty Businesses—it’s yours for free!
If you haven’t already read it check out the previous blog post on “10 Reasons why you Should use Email Marketing”.
