Do not wait to start your list. Ask most any successful blogger about their 1st online business and they will say they wished they started their email list sooner. Start your email list before you start your actual website / blog.
First, you will need an Email Service Provider. I recommend MailerLite (affiliate) if you want to go the free route. It’s free up to the first 1000 subscribers, but it isn’t quite as easy to use or as robust as ConvertKit (affiliate) which is what i recommend if you already have a list over 1000 subscribers or want something easy to use with great support.
Signup for your ESP and watch the tutorial videos they provide. Take the time to really learn how to use this tool – it will be the most profitable tool you will use in your business. Yes, it will bring you income, but it will also allow you to have a profound impact on those you serve. You can create a simple landing page with your ESP even if you don’t have a website. As you provide value to those who follow you on social media, you can drive traffic to that landing page and start building a list of interested people before you even have a website! Sweet, right?
The best way to get people on your email list is to give them something valuable! Based on your research, you know what your audience needs – create something simple that meets one of those needs. It should be something that will give them a quick win. This is called a lead magnet or, as I prefer to call it, a freemium. Once they are on your list, continue delivering them valuable, actionable content. If you sign up for my email list below, I will show you how: