8 Creative Freebie Ideas to Help Grow Your Email List

Freebies are a great way to help grow your email list and build community with your audience.

If you want more leads and to build a warm email list of ready-to-buy customers, I’m going to explain why your business needs a freebie (‘opt in’) and how you can create your own.

So, what is a ‘freebie’?

A freebie or ‘opt-in’ is a free gift you give someone in exchange for their email. Usually, you give something of high value away for free so that you can add that person to your email list.

This could be a digital product that your subscriber downloads like a checklist or e-book, or it could be a free trial or discount code. There are so many things you could give away for free - the important thing to remember is that giving something for free is designed to encourage your audience to give you their email address in return.

Email addresses are precious - so your freebie needs to be worthwhile!

Email lists are one of the only marketing tools you own (unlike social media for example) so it’s a great idea to start building your list out so you can sell easily and simply.

Before we jump into the freebie ideas, here are my top 3 reasons for loving email marketing:

1. You can pre-schedule everything! You could write and schedule a month, quarter, or even year of emails in one go - which makes email marketing way less time consuming than social media.

2. You know people are on your list for a reason - Unlike socials, people don't stay subscribed to brands they don’t actively want to hear from. Think of it this way - someone could easily follow a thousand accounts on tiktok or IG - but are they likely to subscribe to that many email newsletters?

3. It’s time and cost effective - If like me you work for yourself, then chances are your marketing budget will be fairly humble. Meaning your time and money is precious. Spending tonnes of money on ads, and loads of time creating content that has a 24 hour lifespan can be soul destroying when it doesn’t yield the results you want, whereas email marketing is extremely cheap and doesn’t take long to implement.

So, how do you decide what freebie to create?

All good things in marketing start with a little research. I’ve kept it simple and straightforward for you, but in essence, you want to be able to confidently answer this question “What are my target customers searching for the answers to right now?”

When you know the answer to that question, you can create gifts for them that help them by providing them with valuable content they will find useful.

You can use Pinterest, Google, Etsy, and your own blog or social media to analyse what your customers need.

Your freebie needs to answer ONE main question your customers have and it needs to directly relate to something you sell.

Here are my top ten favourite creative freebie ideas for small business owners:

1. E-Book or Digital Guide

Great for when your community wants to learn about something specific.

Create a comprehensive guide that goes into depth on something within your niche or area of expertise. Go check out mine for inspiration.

examples:

• How to get started with Yin Yoga at home

• 5 high protein breakfast Recipes for when you’re in a rush

• Pinterest for beginners - grow your conscious business

2. Checklist

Develop a downloadable checklist that outlines the essential steps for achieving something specific within your niche.

Examples:

1. The 5 things every new wellness brand needs

2. How to plan for your first retreat

3. Setting up your Etsy shop to sell out

3. Templates

Offer pre-designed templates and worksheets. This could be for anything you would typically sell. It needs to be focused and specific, and help your customers with one key outcome.

Examples:

• Month-long content planner for schedule haters

• Framework for writing your next yoga class

• Map out your vegetable garden with this plan

4. Video Tutorial

Record a series of short video tutorials that cover various aspects of something you teach. I have one on finding your target customers. Check it out here.

Examples:

• How to create your first email in Flodesk

• The best poses to do before you try headstand

• What your hormones are saying about you

6. Webinar or Masterclass

Host live or pre-recorded webinars or masterclasses where you share in-depth knowledge on certain topics within your niche. Go deep on one key aspect of your customer’s desires and use this time to demonstrate your knowledge and expertise.

Examples:

• Best 5 Ways to sell authentically on social media

• How to build a brand as a web designer

• Why you need to prioritise sleep when healing your gut

7. Private Community

Offer access to a private Facebook group or online community where members can connect, network, and learn from each other. This can be an excellent platform for sharing additional resources, hosting live Q&A sessions, and fostering a sense of community.

8. Planners or Calendars

One of the most popular styles of freebie - lots of people are looking for guidance and support managing their time and energy. If it suits your niche and expertise, consider creating a planner or calendar for your customers.

Examples:

• How to plan for a 3-day workweek

• Meal planning schedule for gym lovers

• Content planner for conscious creatives

Remember to align your freebie with the needs and interests of your target audience. Providing valuable and actionable resources will help you attract and build trust with your audience while showcasing your expertise.