How to Get Email Subscribers: 10 Proven Strategies for Beginners

Barbara Bartucz
January 22, 2025
Conversion
6 min read

You’ve got the products. You’ve got the website. But without email subscribers, it feels like shouting into the void, right?

Building your first email list might seem daunting, but it’s also one of the most rewarding moves for your business. An email list allows you to communicate directly with your audience, building loyalty and driving repeat business.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through 10 proven strategies to help you hit your first 1,000 subscribers quickly and effectively.

Let’s dive in!

10 tips to get email subscribers fast

Curious to know how to get email subscribers to opt in?

Let’s see 10 effective strategies to effectively convert visitors with your sign up form.

1. Offer a strong incentive

People love getting something in return for signing up, but it doesn’t always have to be a discount.

Lead magnets like detailed blog posts, free eBooks, exclusive webinars, or members-only guides can be highly effective at attracting engaged subscribers.

By offering valuable resources, you provide potential subscribers with something meaningful in exchange for their email addresses.

The key is to understand what your audience values most and craft an offer that appeals directly to their interests.

2. Use gamification

Turn email signups into a fun, interactive experience with gamification.

For example, Mia Fertility Tracker uses a lucky wheel popup, offering users a chance to win discounts or freebies in exchange for their email.

This playful approach, combined with a strategically placed opt-in form, adds excitement and makes signing up irresistible for visitors.

Want to create a similar experience? Get started with these templates:

3. Run seasonal campaigns

Seasonal campaigns are a great way to create urgency and excitement around your offers.

Check out what SupplementMart did: they ran an Easter promotion with 15% off for subscribers, using compelling copy: “Join Now for Easter Sale Specials.”

The holiday tie-in made the offer feel timely and exclusive.

By linking your campaigns to holidays or seasons, you tap into FOMO (fear of missing out), which encourages visitors to subscribe before they miss their chance.

4. Host giveaways

Everyone loves a good giveaway, and they’re an excellent way to attract more email subscribers.

For instance, Magic Spoon offered free boxes of cereal to fortunate subscribers.

Ensure the prize makes sense for your brand and appeals to your target audience to attract the right subscribers.

Try it yourself with these easy-to-use giveaway templates:

5. Use conversational popups

Conversational popups work like magic because they incorporate an easier, lower-friction first step (instead of asking for an email address right away).

SeoulBox, for instance, asks users about their interests—Korean snacks, K-pop, or K-beauty—making the experience more personal and less intimidating.

This approach not only generates more subscribers but also helps you collect valuable zero-party data to personalize your email and SMS campaigns.

Here are some conversational popup templates you can try right now:

6. Use exit-intent popups

Don’t let visitors leave your site without taking action! An exit-intent popup is designed to catch their attention just as they’re about to click away.

Check out how Goldelucks uses exit-intent popups effectively, with this example that includes an attention-grabbing message: “Wait! We have a special offer for you.”

This last-minute nudge helps transform near-bounces into valuable email signups.

It’s a simple but powerful way to retain visitors and grow your list of email subscribers.

7. Personalize your list-building campaigns

A one-size-fits-all approach rarely works in marketing, especially for online businesses. That’s why personalization is key when building your list of email subscribers.

Obvi provides a great example of this principle.

They tailor their popups based on user behavior. This means that visitors exploring weight loss products see a relevant offer tailored to their needs, while those browsing sleep-related items get a different, customized message.

This targeted strategy makes subscribers feel understood and increases the chances they’ll engage with your signup forms.

By addressing specific interests, you can build trust and grow your list faster.

8. Inject mystery into your popups

Curiosity is a powerful motivator, so why not tap into it? Add an element of surprise to your popups to intrigue your website visitors and encourage signups.

For instance, you could use a line like “Unlock Your Secret Gift!” to spark interest and drive action.

Red Therapy does this brilliantly with their message: “You qualify for a mystery offer,” leaving visitors eager to find out what it is.

This playful approach gets people hooked and boosts conversions.

Ready to put this strategy to work? Here are some ready-to-use templates to help you get started quickly:

9. Encourage subscription on all channels

Your website isn’t the only place to collect email subscribers. Use your social media channels, blog posts, and even your Youtube videos to promote your newsletter.

Make sure the call-to-action is clear and enticing.

10. Create a dedicated signup landing page

To maximize your email list growth, create a dedicated landing page specifically for signups. This page should highlight the benefits of subscribing, include a strong CTA, and be easy to navigate.

For example, emphasize what subscribers will gain—whether it’s insider discounts, valuable insights, or early access to new products.

A well-optimized landing page can drive more signups and serve as a key asset in your email marketing strategy.

How to create a bulletproof signup form?

A high-converting signup form that effectively encourages uses to opt in is the cornerstone of building your email list.

When done right, it can capture attention, drive engagement, and bring in those valuable email addresses.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to crafting a signup form that delivers results:

Step 0. Know your target audience

Before you even touch a design tool, take a step back and identify your target audience. Who are they? What are their interests, preferences, and pain points?

The more you understand their needs, the better you can tailor your form to resonate with them.

This foundational step sets the tone for the rest of the process and directly impacts how effective your efforts will be.

Step 1. Choose a template

Save time and effort by starting with a pre-designed template that includes an opt-in form.

OptiMonk offers over 300 templates designed for various goals and styles, making it easy to find one that aligns with your needs.

Whether you’re looking for minimalist designs or vibrant, eye-catching forms, there’s something for everyone.

Once you’ve selected your template, customize it to match your branding and voice for a polished, professional look.

Step 2. Personalize the form

Your signup form should feel like a natural extension of your brand. Use OptiMonk’s drag-and-drop editor to personalize every detail.

Add your logo, tweak the colors, and craft a compelling headline that hooks your audience.

Step 3. Triggering and targeting

You don’t need to target everyone. Instead, aim for the right audience with your signup form. Timing is key, too—triggering your form to appear at key moments will boost engagement and conversions.

Set up triggers and targeting rules to ensure your form appears at the right moment for the right audience.

Step 4. Launch your popup form

Once your form is ready, it’s time to go live and start engaging all those website visitors! Double-check your settings, triggers, and designs before hitting launch.

But don’t stop there—monitor your form’s performance using OptiMonk’s analytics tool.

Track key metrics like conversion rates and adjust your form based on the data.

FAQ

Can I buy email lists to speed up the process?

No. Buying email lists is definitely not recommended because:

It can harm your email deliverability
The subscribers won’t be genuinely interested in your content
It may violate privacy laws like GDPR and CAN-SPAM

How long does it take to grow a successful email list?

The timeline for growing an email list varies based on your strategy, audience, and niche. By implementing consistent, effective tactics, you can see significant growth in a few months.

How do I create a good email signup form?

Focus on simplicity and clarity. A good opt-in form does a few things:

It highlights the benefit of signing up
It has minimal fields (e.g., name and email only)
It includes a strong CTA, like “Get My Discount Now!”

Recap

Attracting your first 1,000 email subscribers is all about strategy.

Well-designed, strategically placed contact forms can optimize lead generation and enhance visitor engagement.

Follow the tips above, measure your results, and watch your subscriber list flourish!

Excited to get started? Create your free OptiMonk account today—those first 1,000 email subscribers are just the start of something bigger.

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Written by

Barbara Bartucz

Barbara is a Content Marketer at OptiMonk. She takes pride in creating different forms of content, whether it’s an article, a video, or an e-book.

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Conversion