12 Best Opt-in Freebies to Grow your Email List
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If you’re an online biz owner, I probably don’t have to tell you how important it is to start growing your email list… like, yesterday.
But how does one go about this whole “list-building” thing?
Opt-in freebies of course!
An opt-in freebie is a free, valuable piece of content that you offer your audience in exchange for their name and email. Sounds simple enough, right?
Well, yes and no. To create an amazing opt-in freebie, you need to put your thinking cap on and figure out what your audience NEEDS from you. There's no point in giving them something just for the heck of it.
You need to create something that's so perfectly aligned with their needs that they think, "Oh my goodness... you're giving this to me... for free?! Uh, ya— I’m in!”.
So that’s why I did the hard work for you ;) and rounded up some of the best opt-in freebie ideas to skyrocket your email list in no time. Let’s get to it!
1. eBooks
Bet you knew I was going to include this one. ;)
eBooks are great because they convert well and they’re really simple to create. Just design the templates in Canva and you’ll have your eBook up & running in no time!
2. Worksheets
You might want to create an opt-in freebie that lets your reader answer open-ended questions about your lead magnet topic, and provide them with form fields to fill out their answers. If that’s the case, you’ll want to create a worksheet opt-in freebie!
Want to learn how to create your own from scratch? I’ve got just the thing for you!
3. Checklists
Checklists are great for providing your audience with step-by-step action steps to achieve XYZ goal. So let’s say you’re a travel blogger. If you have any kind of “packing” article (i.e. The Ultimate Packing Guide for Bali), you can create a “packing checklist” freebie download.
And trust me— people are more than willing to hand over their email list for anything that saves them time.
4. Workbooks
A workbook is kind of like a “mini eBook” except it will be way more action-driven and provide your readers with specific tasks to achieve their goals.
Melyssa Griffin uses her Bangin’ Blog Business Plan workbook to funnel into her signature course, Blog to Biz Hive. And with over 200,000 subscribers, I’d say she knows a thing or two about list-building.
5. Cheatsheets
Everyone loves a good cheatsheet or shortcut, am I right or am I right? ;)
Cheatsheets convert great because they save your audience time from doing the hard work themselves… and time is money! And they don’t need to be any longer than 1-2 pages, so they’re super simple to create!
6. Quizzes
Quizzes are a super effective strategy for growing your email list. Not only are they entertaining and share-worthy, they’re also great for segmenting your audience.
Your audience gets to learn something about themselves with the results, and you can segment them accordingly by creating tags in your email service provider.
For example, Tarzan Kay has a bomb quiz called, “What’s Your 80’s Pricing Persona” (which I highly recommend checking out).
In the quiz, one question she asks people is whether they're a course creator or service provider. Based on their response, she tags them accordingly. Genius!
Side note: it isn’t cheap or easy to set up an evergreen quiz funnel like Tarzan’s— home girl spent about $6500 on setup alone. But considering that she’s built a 7-figure empire from strategies like these, I’d say she’s onto something here.
7. Audio Trainings
Marie Forleo (aka my fave entrepreneur like, ever) has a fab audio training:
And after creating the gold standard of courses for online entrepreneurs (aka B-School), I think she’s done a pretty fab job of turning her email list into raving fans who are more than willing to throw cash her way.
8. Printables
OK, I’ll admit— printables are kind of overdone. But the great thing is that setup up is easy-peezy and you can crank one out in a day. So if printables convert well with your audience/in your niche, then go for it!
9. Swipe Files
Swipe files are incredibly in demand with bloggers! Essentially, swipe files are a list of “pre-made” templates or resources that are relevant to your audience. For example, a pre-made email sequence or copy template like “30 done-for-you Instagram captions”.
10. Mini Course or Email Course
You can create an automated mini course that drips out over 7-10 days. The goal is to provide your audience with educational content about your topic that (hopefully) leads to one of your paid offers— like a digital product or online course!
Amanda Genther uses this strategy in her “Sales Page Success Secrets” opt-in freebie. And let’s be real— who couldn’t use some pointers on creating a high-converting sales page?
11. Resource List
Resource lists are essentially just a list of resources that you use to grow your business, and they’re a win-win for both you and your reader.
Your reader wins because they get a shortcut on what tools are actually worth investing in, and you win because affiliate links = passive income #HollaForADolla. Just be careful with Amazon Affiliates— they have some strict regulations with affiliate links in email marketing (aka use them at your own risk).
12. Resource Library
Resource libraries (multiple freebies in a password protected page), are super popular, but I will give you one warning about them. They’re effective for list-building, but there’s no way to segment subscribers.
So if you offer product A in your resource library and it’s completely different from product B (also in your library), there’s no way to figure out what your subscriber is actually interested in to promote future paid products. Make sense?
If your products are similar enough, go for it! Just thought I would give a heads up. :)
Final Thoughts
See? Creating an opt-in freebie doesn't have to be so bad!
Truthfully, growing your list is the first step in your email marketing journey and, although it may seem daunting at first, you can TOTALLY handle this - promise. I'm SO proud of you for deciding to take action sooner rather than later.
Hope you enjoyed this little opt-in freebie guide & are feeling ready to take some action on your list building strategies! Have any questions? Drop a comment below and I’ll get back with ya ASAP.
Rooting for you always, friend!
XO, Fallon
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