Stop everything. Because what you’re about to read might just be the fastest, most practical guide to growing your email list that you’ve ever seen.

This isn’t another fluffy theory piece or recycled advice with zero real-world grit. This is a rapid-fire, high-impact list of 23 real, tested ways to get new people onto your email list. And here’s the wild part: all of it fits into under 12 minutes of content.

Yes. You read that right. Twenty-three high-leverage strategies. Twelve minutes of fire. Each idea is something you can take action on immediately, even if you’re just getting started. Whether you’ve got a tiny list, a monster one, or no list at all, these tactics can explode your reach.

And it’s not hypothetical. These are tried-and-true methods that actually work. Some are free. Some cost a little. But every single one has the power to bring in subscribers who are excited to hear from you.

Ready to stop guessing and start growing? Let’s dive into the good stuff.

Want to get more sales from your email marketing?

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It's really cool and it's FREE (yes, it's cool and free – we're nice like that).

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You'll get a One-Sheet with the entire framework – PLUS – a full masterclass walking you through each element of the framework so that you can use it in your business too. Click here to get access to it.

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1. Talk on Other People's Podcasts

Reach out to podcast hosts and offer to be a guest. You don’t need a massive audience, just show up and share value. End your interview by mentioning a simple, memorable link to your lead magnet.

2. Teach in Paid Programs

Look for course creators or coaches who serve your audience. Offer to deliver a guest session inside their program. When you do a good job, people will want to follow you, and your lead magnet gives them a way to do that.

3. Cold Outreach

This isn’t about spam. It’s about finding people who might benefit from your free resource. Send a friendly message telling them about it and how they can get it. If it’s genuinely helpful, they’ll opt in.

4. Speak at a Summit

Join a virtual summit as one of the expert speakers. All speakers promote the event to their lists, and everyone watching gets exposed to your lead magnet when you present.

5. Use Google Ads

People still search Google for answers. Show up when they do. A well-targeted ad can put your freebie in front of people who are already looking for what you offer.

6. Sponsor a Facebook Group

Find a group your ideal audience is already in. Pay the admin to pin your post or put your banner at the top. It’s cheap and insanely effective.

7. Be Helpful in Groups

Don’t pitch. Just help. Share answers, post advice. When people check out your profile and see a lead magnet link there, you’ve earned the click.

8. Swap Lead Magnets

Find someone with a similar audience but a different focus. You promote their lead magnet, they promote yours. Everyone wins.

9. Guest on YouTube Channels

Find creators in your niche and offer to be a guest. Pitch a specific topic, not something generic. Be memorable and link to your lead magnet in the description.

10. Speak at Live Events

Nothing beats meeting people face to face. Live events are high-trust environments. Speak on stage, drop value, and share your freebie.

11. Sponsor an Email Newsletter

Find someone with a list. Pay to include your lead magnet in their next send. Most people don’t even realize this is an option, so you get in for cheap.

12. Launch a Viral Contest

Offer a great freebie, then say, “Share this with three friends and get something even better.” People love getting rewards for helping.

13. Join a Giveaway Bundle

Join forces with other creators. Everyone adds a product to a big free bundle. You promote it. They promote it. Everyone’s audience grows.

14. Use Instagram Reels

Reels are still gold for organic growth. Ask people to comment a keyword, then use automation tools to DM them your opt-in link and capture their email.

15. Sponsor Instagram Posts

Find a creator with more followers than you. Pay them to add your lead magnet to the top of their feed. It’s simple and powerful.

16. Sponsor Events

Be a sponsor at an online or live event. Get your name out there, and make sure your lead magnet is part of the promo.

17. Build Your Own Free Community

Create a Facebook or School community. Make joining the group part of your funnel by asking for an email in exchange for a freebie.

18. Grow Organically on YouTube

Make great content. Be consistent. When people watch and trust you, they’ll sign up when you mention your lead magnet.

19. Pay to Join the Right Groups

Buy your way into communities where your dream customers are already talking. Be active, be helpful, and share your resource when appropriate.

20. Run Meta Ads

Facebook and Instagram ads can grow your list quickly. Target well, use a strong hook, and offer a lead magnet that solves a real problem.

21. Launch an Affiliate Program

Let others promote your offers. Give them a commission, and collect leads from their audiences.

22. Run YouTube Ads

Interrupt people before their video plays. If your hook is strong, they’ll click through and grab your freebie.

23. Host Your Own Summit

This is the power move. Invite 10 to 20 experts, get them to promote your event, and you keep the list of attendees. You also borrow the credibility of every speaker involved.

The One Thing That Makes It All Work

None of these tactics matter if your lead magnet isn’t amazing. A bad freebie gets ignored. A good one creates trust. A great one builds your business.

So before you run with any of these 23 methods, make sure your lead magnet is something people actually want. And not just want, but value.

There are also full trainings and walkthroughs available on how to create high-converting lead magnets that attract not just traffic, but future buyers.

Final Thoughts: This Isn’t Theory. It’s a Blueprint.

This list isn’t just a bunch of ideas. It’s a tested, proven set of strategies that have helped build real email lists filled with real people.

You don’t need to use all 23 today. Pick one or two. Test them. Improve them. Add more over time. The secret is in taking consistent action.

Your list is the heartbeat of your business. It’s your audience, your leads, your future customers. This is how you grow it with purpose and precision.

Now you have the tools.

Use them.

And watch what happens next.

Related episodes

The Affiliate Marketing Playbook: How to Make Sales Without Annoying Your List

Webinars That Sell: Insider Secrets from Jason Fladlien!

How to Use Storytelling in Your Emails to Get a 22% Higher Open Rate

FREE list of the top 10 books to improve your email marketing

If you want to write better emails, come up with better content, and move your readers to click and buy, here's how. We put together this list of our Top 10 most highly recommended books that will improve all areas of your email marketing (including some underground treasures that we happened upon, which have been game-changing for us). Grab your FREE list here. 

Join our FREE Facebook group

If you want to chat about how you can maximise the value of your email list and make more money from every subscriber, we can help! We know your business is different, so come and hang out in our FREE Facebook group, the Email Marketing Show Community for Course Creators and Coaches. We share a lot of training and resources, and you can talk about what you're up to.

Try ResponseSuite for $1

This week's episode is sponsored by ResponseSuite.com, the survey quiz and application form tool that we created specifically for small businesses like you to integrate with your marketing systems to segment your subscribers and make more sales. Try it out for 14 days for just $1.

Grab The Email Hero Blueprint

Want more? Let's say you're a course creator, membership site owner, coach, author, or expert and want to learn about the ethical psychology-based email marketing that turns 60-80% more of your newsletter subscribers into customers (within 60 days).

If that's you, then The Email Hero Blueprint is for you.

This is hands down the most predictable, plug-and-play way to double your earnings per email subscriber. It allows you to generate a consistent sales flow without launching another product, service, or offer. Best news yet? You won't have to rely on copywriting, slimy persuasion, NLP, or ‘better' subject lines.

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