It’s okay. You can admit it.
When people ask about the size of your email list, you either exaggerate, or just plain lie.
Why? Because the real answer is embarrassing.
Particularly when you keep hearing that subscriber numbers even trump traffic as a measure of blogging success. (If that’s true, your numbers paint a bleak picture.)
Since you started your blog, you keep meaning to work on getting more subscribers – and you’ve read plenty of tips on how to do it – but in truth, your list size has barely changed.
Unfortunately, when different experts give you contrasting tips, you can struggle to know which tip to follow. And so the only smart solution is to become an expert yourself.
Fortunately, a surefire way to become a list-building master in record time exists.
Totally immerse yourself in the topic.
Because when you study a subject in detail, patterns emerge that more easily allow you to choose the right path for you and your blog.
So here’s a monster list of links to tips, tools, case studies, and other list-building resources that will make you an expert – fast.
Are you ready to jump in?
The List-Building Links That’ll Make You an Expert – Fast!
- Copy the strategies Michael Hyatt used to grow his blog from 1,000 subscribers to 20,000 subscribers in one year.
- Learn the three strategies Noah Kagan used to triple email subscribers for AppSumo.
- Or take your cue from Derek Halpern and get 17,000 subscribers in 11 months.
- Discover the simple formula that explains how four powerhouse bloggers attracted almost 500,000 subscribers.
- Then see what the other pros are doing with these list building tips from 9 world-class bloggers.
- Find out how StartupDigest got 100,000 subscribers in a year.
- Hear how Social Media Examiner grew their list by 234% using a simple pop-up.
- Follow The Honest Company’s lead and use Google AdWords to drive signups.
- Embark on a 30-day list building challenge inspired by this case study.
- Consult Marketing Sherpa’s chart to discover the most effective list building tactics based on research.
- Go from zero to 1,634 subscribers in five months using these 12 strategies.
- Or use one of these eight strategies backed by research.
- Dodge the more obvious pitfalls by reading MailChimp’s 10 common rookie mistakes.
- And avoid these 19 surprising list-building mistakes too.
- Convert more traffic to subscribers by plugging these 3 website “leaks.”
- Double your email list in 90 days by using the Pareto Principle to get more from less.
- Focus on just one social media channel and get 10 times more conversions – just like Quanticate did.
- Share the list-building workload by getting other people to happily build your list.
- Design a high-converting opt-in landing page by following these 35 examples.
- Make sure your landing page answers these four questions.
- Try using video on your landing page to double your opt-ins.
- Remove landing page friction to boost your click-through rate by 173% and get more signups.
- Get serious about optimizing your opt-in page by learning about A/B testing.
- Then test these 23 elements of your page.
- Use Heat Maps to discover where people are clicking so you know where to put your opt-in forms.
- Or cut to the chase and learn the 4 high-converting places to put them.
- Test different opt-in form button colors to boost your conversion rate by 21% or more.
- Boost your conversion rate by using fewer fields on your opt-in form.
- Follow the “one column” rule and boost signups by arranging your fields vertically, not horizontally.
- Or break all the rules with a Mad Libs style opt-in form that could boost your conversions by 25-40%.
- But avoid CAPTCHAs at all costs – research shows we suck at figuring them out.
- Test different images in your opt-in box to double or triple your signups.
- Use an emotive image, like a picture of a sad puppy, to get 20% more people to confirm their subscription.
- Use an exit intent popup to sign people up just before they leave, to enjoy a 10-15% uplift in the conversions.
- Use benefit-based headlines for popups to increase conversions by 40%.
- Use a 5-second delay on your popups to more than double your opt-in rate.
- Get nine different ideas for creating an irresistible bribe to give readers a real reason to subscribe.
- Learn how to create a bribe in record time.
- Become an author and write a Kindle book that uses a free bonus to boost your email list.
- Get into the heads of potential subscribers to understand what’ll motivate them to sign up to your list.
- Quadruple your opt-in rate by giving people at least one persuasive reason they should subscribe.
- Give people a nudge to subscribe with Qualaroo and grow your list by 500% in less than a year.
- Use social proof to convince new website visitors to subscribe to your list.
- Prominently position your testimonials – it could improve your conversion rate by 34%.
- Remember to keep these 7 key things in mind whenever you’re using social proof to attract more subscribers.
- Leverage media mentions to grow your email list.
- Prominently display your media mentions to help bump your conversion rate by 400%.
- Learn how to simplify your messaging around your signup offer. (If you confuse people, you lose them.)
- Take advantage of a friend to discover if your landing page is clear enough.
- Don’t say, “We will never spam you” – it could decrease your conversions by 18.7%. Say this instead.
- Get three times more signups simply by changing the wording on your opt-in form button.
- Learn why people unsubscribe from your list so you can make sure more of them stick around.
- When people want to opt out, first give them the option to “opt-down.”
- In fact, why not optimize your email preferences center so your subscribers have more control and fewer people unsubscribe completely?
- Follow these 5 tips from a former White House writer to boost your conversion rate by 3,000%.
- Turn your opt-in page into a social squeeze page to lift your conversion rate.
- Optimize your blog posts for conversions so that more readers become subscribers.
- Decrease your page load time to boost conversion rates. (And use Google PageSpeed Insights to find out what needs fixing.)
- Be smart and add social media share buttons to your thank you pages.
- And while you’re at it, create a “share this with your friends” link too.
- Optimize the images on your opt-in page to attract more subscribers on social media.
- Create a blog series to encourage signups from people who don’t want to miss the next post in the series.
- Make your popular posts work harder by using them to create more opportunities for people to subscribe.
- Convert a popular blog post into a SlideShare presentation and use an embedded opt-in form to get signups.
- Get 492% more subscribers with a content upgrade on your blog posts.
- Use the Skyscraper Technique to get 1,000 subscribers from your next blog post.
- Add an opt-in form on your About Page to increase your conversion rate by 446%.
- Send first-time commenters to your opt-in landing page using the Comment Redirect plugin.
- Or let all blog commenters subscribe with just one click.
- Simplify your website design to boost your conversion rate.
- And make sure your opt-in forms are mobile friendly – or risk losing 50% of potential signups.
- Give the top-bar method a shot and you could boost your subscriber rate by 532% in one month.
- Make sure your opt-in box is above the fold to triple the number of subscribers you get.
- Add a link to your opt-in landing page in your site’s navigation bar.
- Learn how to add an opt-in box to the bottom of every blog post.
- Use one of these 67 tools to skyrocket your list growth.
- Install one of these 9 Wordpress plugins that work so well it feels like cheating.
- Display different messages to new and returning visitors to entice signups with the What Would Seth Godin Do plugin.
- Spy on your competitors using BuiltWith to find out what technologies they’re using to build their lists.
- Make your Facebook page’s cover photo clickable to drive more traffic to your opt-in landing page.
- Turn Facebook page likes into subscribers using any of eight different ways.
- Create a nifty Twitter autoresponder that prompts new followers to sign up for your email list.
- And when you thank people for tweeting your stuff, remind them to subscribe.
- Use Lead Generation Cards to get people from Twitter onto your list with a single click.
- Check out 6 ways the pros are using Google+ to get more subscribers.
- Use LinkedIn groups to grow your list (most people miss this trick.)
- Get visual and follow these 3 steps to using Pinterest for attracting more subscribers.
- Create a YouTube video with a clickable link to your opt-in page.
- Run a podcast? Remind people to join your email list in every episode.
- And turn your podcast listeners into email subscribers using this formula from Clay Collins.
- Use a webinar as the ultimate email bribe and get 1,054 subscribers in 28 days.
- Or find a partner for a joint venture webinar and grow your email list from 700 to 12,000 subscribers in nine months.
- Run a simple contest and add 500 new subscribers to your list.
- Advertise a giveaway on Facebook to attract 17,800 subscribers in just 6 weeks.
- Use these five tips to create a successful Facebook contest that will grow your list.
- Try using a “lucky URL” to boost contest entries – you could get 200,000+ subscribers in 11 days.
- Use sweepstakes to get current subscribers to grow your email list for you.
- Use tests or quizzes to boost your conversion rate by 1,900%.
- Use the guest blogging strategies that Gregory Ciotti used to grow his email list by 36,733 subscribers.
- Write an expanded guest post and get 500 subscribers in just one week.
- Build mutually beneficial relationships with influencers and get 1,000+ subscribers in 24 hours.
- Turn “Page not found” errors into new subscribers by customizing your 404 page.
- Put a link to your opt-in page in your email signature using WiseStamp.
- Get customers to give you their email addresses at the checkout.
- Go offline and use direct mail to create a unique experience, grab attention, and compel more people to sign up.
- Or pick up the phone to grow your email list by 23,028 subscribers.
- Copy this old-fashioned technique that a speciality beer store used to get 8,400 new subscribers.
- When networking at conferences and events, ask new contacts if you can add them to your list.
- Got a booth at a conference or tradeshow? Collect business cards in a fishbowl, or use a tablet to collect email addresses.
When Will You Become a List-Building Master?
There you have it. 111 list-building links to help you double, triple, or even quadruple the size of your email list.
If you immerse yourself in these hand-picked resources, you’ll know more about list building than 99% of the bloggers out there.
And when you’re done, pick just a handful of ideas to implement. (Don’t worry, you’ll know which are right for you.)
Remember, success is a combination of knowledge and action. The knowledge can be found in the list above. The action … well, that’s up to you.
So get to it. Become the expert list-builder who can grow affiliates and monetize your blog faster than you ever believed possible.
After all, you must be curious to know.
Just how big can your list go?
About the Author: Jenna Dalton is a certified prenatal and postnatal fitness specialist and toddler mom. She helps moms feel like themselves again – minus the “get your pre-baby body back” pressure. You can find her at SweetMomBod.com where you can grab your free 21 day workout plan. She also hangs out on Instagram and Facebook and would love to connect with you there.
Hey Jenna,
Awesome list here. List building is my major focus now and you’ve certainly given me a lot to consider here.
Out of all of them, I’m interested to try Gregory Ciotti’s method right now, the contest and the quizzes/test. The last two, I’ve been looking up and reading information on them .. and how to conduct them. Those seem like really good methods to grow a list quickly … as it worked really well for many that did them.
I know people say this all the time, but this is a very timely post.
– Andrew
Sounds like you have a plan, Andrew! I know some online business friends who have used quizzes and contests and gotten some great response. And of course I think guest blogging is a great strategy 🙂
Good luck taking action and making it work for you!
Contest? It’s a no-brainer.
I’ve used writing contests twice and each time, I was able to generate thousands of traffic, hundreds of subscribers and dozens of backlinks.
Thanks, Jenna, for this monstrous list that will take me at least a month to read.
Glad to hear that contests worked out so well for you, Muhammed. Enjoy checking out all the links!
Hi, Jenna,
LOVE it! I adore giant list posts. The only problem – now I’ll spend the rest of the day reading all of these posts. If I don’t get any work done, it’s all your fault 🙂
Thanks for the great info.
Sue
Hahaha! I’ll take full responsibility, Sue. Only because I know it’ll be totally worth it for you to check these all out! 🙂
You’re right, Jenna. This is a monster list! I really love the suggestions around personally asking people (at conferences, over the phone, networking events, etc.) if you can add them to your list. Such an easy way to grow it and it takes away the barrier of having to visit your site and then subscribe and then confirm, etc.
Thanks for compiling this for all of us!
You’re so welcome, Lucy. I really like those “making a personal connection” strategies too. Once people get to know you – and recognize that what you’re doing can be really helpful for them – it’s less of a push to get them to signup and more of a welcome invitation.
Great list – thanks! I didn’t see Jeff Walker’s PLF list building blue-print included. Any reason why?
No worries, Bill. Nope. We didn’t not include Jeff Walker’s list-building blueprint on purpose. It simply didn’t make it onto the list. While we would love to be able to compile ALL the best list-building strategies the web has to offer if we tried to do that, we’d probably still be working on this post 6 months from now 😉 Better done with some great links, than going for perfect and never getting it published I say!
This is truly amazing, Jenna. Great work!
Thanks so much, I’m already diving in and doing some little things I’ve been meaning to do for a long time to maximize my list growth (like leadboxes and quick new bribes.)
Thank you, Leanne. It was an enlightening experience doing this research that’s for sure!
Love that you’re already taking action. That’s obviously the most important part. Good luck growing your list!
Hi Jenny
Wow what a list of great resources to help me grow my list.
I wasn’t expecting the LinkedIn one some great tips there.
Guest posting is a great way to build a list plus plus grow your exposure I can attest to that first hand
And there is a ton more that I need to try thanks for sharing
How did you know the nickname my family calls me, Mark?! 😉
Glad that guest posting has worked out great for you in the past. I definitely love it, myself. Enjoy checking the rest of them out!
Hi Jenna,
I’ve been converted to growing my list via guest blogging – I just recently jumped over 1,000 subscribers and I’m currently at 1219. I’m listening to Derek Halpern’s interview on how he grew to 17,000 subscribers in 11 months. Holy WOW!
Awesome, Peggy! I love that guest blogging is working so well for you.
Derek definitely has some smart-cookie moves to share. Glad that you’re getting a lot out of the interview. Enjoy the rest of it!
Thanks for the terrific list! Two weeks ago I started using the “annoying” pop up subscription form and it is really working! I’m anxious to try some of these other aids to increase my list.
You’re welcome, Randall. Pop-ups definitely draw a line in the sand, don’t they? People seem to either love ’em or hate ’em.
I think it’s really about using strategies that feel good for you. I use a popup and I know it works well for me. But some people might not be comfortable with that. That’s cool. There are a bunch of other strategies that can work well too.
Enjoy diving into the other ideas!
Hi Jenna,
What a great list you have composed! When it comes to list building, there is never enough I can learn. You sure have given me so much food for thought and I thank you.
-Donna
Isn’t it true, Donna? There’s always something new and interesting to learn. I love testing out different strategies and finding something to stick with that really jives with me.
This is a very nice list Jenna … really a nice giant list.
You have given me a very good inspiration for my work.
Glad I could give you some inspiration, Yoshiewafa.
Truly amazing post! Thanks so much!
No worries, Daniel!
Wow!
Amazing synthesis of information.
Thanks for the amazing recommendations 🙂
Love #2
Great Article.
Highly Recommended!
A brilliant list for building a brilliant list! Thanks Jenna. #66 definitely appeals to me. You can then add the finished product to your LinkedIn profile to attract even more subscribers.
Great idea, Helen! That’s the beauty of it, hey? You can combine bits and pieces of the different strategies to make it work for you and your business.
Hey Jenna !
This is really so amazing list. I salute your such respectable deed of collecting useful info at one place and more importantly, for linking to the resources. Just loved it !
Thanks for sharing ! 🙂
You’re welcome, Rahul. Enjoy!
Impressive list! So many gold nuggets in here and all from different approaches. Thanks Jenna
No worries, Danii 🙂
Hi Jenna,
What a great resource, I love it 🙂
Thanks for including one of my blog posts in the list btw, that’s awesome 🙂
You’re welcome, Drazen. Linking to your squeeze page in the navigation bar is a smart strategy so thanks for writing about it. And changing the color so it stands out is a great point as well.
Hi Jenna,
thanks a lot for an awesome list post about creating lost posts 🙂
I will definitely bookmark this post at use it for future reference.
After I create my next list post, I will send you an email thanking you and giving you some praise 😉
Have a great weekend!
Tor
Hi Jenna,
thanks a lot for an awesome list post about creating list posts 🙂
I will definitely bookmark this post at use it for future reference.
After I create my next list post, I will send you an email thanking you and giving you some praise 😉
Have a great weekend!
Tor
Jenna,
Wooooow, that’s a lot of links! If I get through them all, and I’m not an expert, I’m gonna be pretty annoyed–at myself, not you. It was cool of you to put in that much time.
Our site deals with helping people get their first website and/or blog up and running, but we haven’t had a chance to really build up a great guide for building email lists, yet–as critical as that is. I’ve been working to build up my knowledge base on the subject, and you’ve probably just saved about a day of work.
Thanks, keep it up!
Connor
Hahaha I hear ya, Connor! I have a feeling that when you do get through them all, you’ll be able to hang your list building hat on the “expert” rack. Glad I could help lessen the learning curve for ya 🙂
This is a treasure trove. We’re still working on our list and this will be immensely helpful 🙂 Thank you so much for putting together such a wonderful list of resources!
Hey Jenna,
This list is Huuuggee! There is nothing but value on this list and you know what I’m going to do? I plan on going through each one of these. It may take me a while but I do have to say my list isn’t nothing to brag about. At least I don’t think so. I do have a nice size, but I’m always looking for room for improvement!
Thanks for the share Jenna! Have a great Easter weekend!
Glad that you’re going to take the time to actually go through and find strategies to use, Sherman. Enjoy diving in and growing your list! And Happy Easter to you too 🙂
Awesome post. I have read like ten times. So many links to go to!
Hi Jenna,
You have put an explant links and these links are very helpful for all people like me.Thanks so much for putting together this useful post!
Regards,
Pinki Chaurasia
You’re welcome, Pinki!
Great List out there !
Also Glanced at your blog.
I just love your optin box- the picture of you with a blurred background and beautifully amalgamated with the email and name box ! Looks amazing !
Thank you, Kaushik!
I really appreciate your idea on writing ideas for posts, etc. every single day. That’s how you get better at this craft of writing.
thnx a lot jenny its very useful list which i will use it for my wp site
This is really huge list.
Thanks for posting, looking forward for more great posts like this .
You’re welcome, Ankit.
Hi Jenna Dalton, More than 100 outbound dofollow links in a single post, Is it good for your blog?? I’m new in SEO please explain.
Hey Viki,
I am definitely NOT the person to ask about SEO! Hahaha! It’s not my area of expertise at all. So I’m not sure how this post affects Boost Blog Traffic’s SEO rankings.
At the end of the day, we wanted to put a resource together for people with a bunch of links to valuable posts that share some strategies on getting more subscribers. So that’s what we did 🙂
Hello Jenna,
First and foremost thank you for such a informative post. Getting subsciber is a difficult one for me, I owe a tech blog. I hope your post will help me for sure.
Thank you
Regards
Anshul
I hear ya, Anshul. It can be challenging at times to get subscribers. Definitely take a peek at some of these links. I’m positive one or two will help you!
Sure thing, I had just bookmarked your blog. Thank for the quality post. Can you please write a post on back-linking, how to make them. I am facing a lot problem.
Thank you
In all honesty, Anshul, backlinking isn’t really my forte so I wouldn’t be a great person to write about it. But perhaps another blogger who’s more familiar with it will be able to write a great post for BBT that’ll help you 🙂
Hi, Jenna (and Jon).
Wow! What a list of links.
I don’t know how, but I will read through several of them in due course. I’m sure I will extract many useful tips from them. Bookmarking now.
Thanks for sharing.
Nathan.
I have no doubt you’ll be able to get through the ones that stand out to you, Nathan. Enjoy diving in!
Wow thanks a lot for this awesome list. We’re still working on our list and this will be immensely helpful
Thanks so much for sharing the 30 Day List Building Challenge here! 🙂
You’re so welcome, Nathalie! It’s a great resource 🙂
It is really nice resource. Thanks for sharing.
Nice post.
Thank you for sharing a informative information with us.
Visit my links to find best Industrial Training Institute in India.
Firstly thank you, Jenna, for an awesome article! Really gets you to think of certain steps and ideas to use an implement.
Awesome list.What we need more! This is the ultimate resource.Having a steady subscribe base is always important specially when Google is so much volatile these days.You can/t just rely on organic traffic.
thanks for the awesome list , the resource you provided are very uselful for me thanks a lot
Thanks for the list, but any idea how to get more subscribers for YouTube channel ?