How to Grow Your Email List, the Non-Spammy Way

Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to keep your audience in the loop online. Unlike social media marketing, which relies on winning the algorithm’s favour to stand out among the noise, email offers a direct line to your audience. But here’s the catch: with almost every eCommerce business vying for a spot in your audience’s inbox, how do you prove you’re worth their attention?

The old tactics of gating content behind email sign-ups simply don’t cut it anymore. In a world where thought leaders and social media networks freely share tips and insights, you need to up your game. So, how do you grow your email list without resorting to spammy tactics?

Cross-Channel Promotion

If you want to grow your email list, you need to meet your audience where they are. Promote your email newsletter across all your social media platforms – Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and beyond. Use lead-generation ads on platforms like Facebook and Instagram to capture email addresses seamlessly.

But don’t stop online. Think IRL (in real life) too. Collect email addresses at events, trade shows or in-store promotions using QR codes on printed materials. Placement is key – ensure your newsletter sign-up is visible in prominent spots, so your audience can stumble upon it organically.

Pro tip: Plant a signup link in your social media bio or add it to your email signature. These small but strategic touches can make a big difference.

Well-Timed CTAs and Pop-Ups

Your website is a goldmine for email sign-ups – if you design it right. Add simple, unobtrusive email sign-up forms to high-traffic pages like your homepage, blog and checkout page. Create dedicated landing pages for email sign-ups and promote them through ads or social media.

Then there are pop-ups, which can be tricky. You want to grab attention without annoying users enough to click away. Consider using delayed pop-ups which appear only after an allotted amount of time or a percentage of the way down the page. And use A/B testing to experiment with different timings, designs and messaging to find what resonates with your audience.

Reduce Your Data Request

Users are more conscious of their data than ever – 65% are more careful in sharing their personal details than before. With this in mind, it’s wise to only ask for essential information during sign-up to reduce friction and respect user privacy. A simple name and email address are often enough to get started.

Offer Exclusive Content

While gated content may no longer be the golden ticket, exclusive incentives still work wonders. Offer content upgrades based on your latest blog post, such as checklists, PDFs or bonus tips, and share teasers of exclusive content available only to email subscribers to pique curiosity and drive sign-ups.

Subscriber Discounts

Who doesn’t love an exclusive deal? Offering a discount is a time-tested, effective way to grow your email list. Offering 10% off their first order is a classic. You could also add some urgency with a time-sensitive condition, such as “Subscribe now and get 15% off within the next 24 hours”. Just be sure to send the discount code via a welcome email immediately to build trust and encourage quick action.

Growing your email list doesn’t have to feel like a spammy, uphill battle. At Brave, we specialise in email marketing for ambitious eCommerce businesses. With over two decades of experience, we know that if your emails aren’t crafted to captivate and convert, they’re destined to get lost in the inbox abyss. We make sure that doesn’t happen, as an award-winning eCommerce SEO agency.

We design email campaigns that drive engagement, loyalty and sales – no fluff, no filler, just razor-sharp strategies that deliver results. From crafting irresistible subscriber incentives to optimising send times and personalising content, we ensure your emails stand out and get opened. Ready to get ahead of the competition? Contact Brave today and let’s upgrade your email marketing for maximum impact.