Do you think your email list is destined to be a cute collection of all your best mates? It’s definitely something you know you need to grow, that’s what all the books tell you at least. But actually doing it feels like a time consuming task that drops lower… and lower on the to-do list.

Subscribers are much more easily converted into customers and clients. That’s a cold hard fact. So, let’s set aside some time this week and make steps towards a sleek email opt-in system that Jenna Kutcher would be proud of.

Let me tell you, it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By spending a few minutes to set up a simple opt-in freebie, you can sit back and watch your website traffic convert into a email list-growing machine. There’ll be no stopping you!

The first step is working our what you can offer. The days of a simple ‘sign up for the latest news’ are long gone. I recently saw a post on Instagram which said something along the lines of ‘no one wakes up and adds ‘join an email list’ to their to-do list’. SO. TRUE.

What will motivate your audience into sharing their email address with you? Keep them in mind when browsing through the list of freebie ideas. Will they be inspired? Find it manageable?

P.S. If you need a helping hand with defining your audience. I mean really defining them. I’d recommend downloading my Website Starter Workbook which features a section all on understanding your dream clients so you can attract them to your business.

Here’s my list of creative and proven ways to convert your visitors into subscribers:

1. Quiz

Quizzes are becoming more and more popular and you can certainly see why. They’re definitely fun and interactive. What’s more, they’re super quick for your visitors to complete.

Collect their email addresses so you can send through results into their inbox.

Try LeadQuizzes

2. Challenge

A challenge is another exciting way to get your audience involved. This one requires a little more work but the connection with your audience is developed a little deeper. It’s a great tool for making your audience accountable and develop a specific skill.

You can make your challenge at different lengths. From experience, short work well in keeping people engaged but make sure it’s long enough that people can see results from the challenge.

3. Worksheet

Another interactive option for your freebie, a worksheet could be a template for a week’s meal plan or a checklist for travel essentials. They’re quick, cheap

Try Canva for creating free PDFs and use PDF Escape to make it fillable.

4. Ongoing projects

This idea requires updating your freebie at regular intervals. However, it will keep your audience engaged over a long period of time.

Try offering a folder which you add to on a regular basis, say every month or season. Don’t forget to share the new additions with your current audience too as they’ll be sticking around for more.

See Moyo-studio* for a great example. They add new free stock photos to a Google Drive folder each week which you can access through their email list.

5. Discount or Free Trial

Ah, the classic. This can work really well for product-based businesses in particular.

Free delivery, a trial of your service or a 10-15% discount on your product are all proven to work time and time again. It may not be the most creative of methods here but it’s the quickest and easiest to set up.

6. Webinar Or Video Tutorials

Have you ever swapped your email address for a webinar on how to improve one aspect of your business? Well, this is like the miniature version of it. And it can really create a close connection with your audience.

Offer a link to a video training in exchange for their email. Bonus points if you include a PDF to go alongside the video to help them out.

7. Email Course

When using email platforms such as MailChimp or ConvertKit, you have the opportunity to ‘drip’ emails to your audience automatically after a trigger or set amount of time. Email courses are also a great option to bring real value to your audience.

My recommendation for an email course is: create a series of steps to achieve something your audience wants. Break the steps into separate emails and schedule them to go out to new subscribers periodically over the course of a week or two.

8. PDF Guide

A PDF guide is another really common freebie. Why? Because it’s super easy to create, consume and manage! Think of it as a super in-depth, printable blog post.

For wedding photographers, you might want to create a guide for brides on designing their pictures. Or a counsellor might offer a free guide on mindfulness. Whatever your industry, a PDF guide works well.

9. Library of Resources

My opt-in of choice. I offer my new subscribers access to a closed off section of my website. Here they can access PDFs, guides and worksheets that will be useful for them in growing their business online.

This method of choice is perfect for those who have a lot of different freebies to help their audience. They can all neatly be stored in one place - great for your audience and you!

So, there you have it. Nine creative freebies to offer new subscribers and grow your email list - even whilst you’re asleep, in the bathtub or driving to your yoga studio!

Which are you going to pick? Comment below!

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