The Most Overlooked Way to Grow Your Email List (That Doesn’t Involve Social Media)
If you’re spending time crafting thoughtful email campaigns but feel like you’re always talking to the same handful of subscribers, you’re not alone. Growing your email list can feel like a mystery—but it doesn’t have to be. And it’s worth figuring out, because your email list is your most valuable marketing asset—more reliable than social media and entirely yours to grow and nurture. What if the key to growing your email list isn’t writing more emails—but building something else entirely? One of the most effective (and overlooked) ways to attract new subscribers is by starting a blog.
Here’s how blogging can help you go from struggling to grow your list to consistently welcoming new subscribers—without needing to post on social media every day.
Step 1: Get More Eyes on Your Website
Before you can grow your email list, you need people to find your website. That’s where blogging comes in. A well-written blog post—optimized with keywords your audience is searching for—can drive organic traffic to your site long after you hit publish. Think of it as the long game: consistently publishing blog content helps you show up in search results, brings more visitors to your site, and builds trust with your audience.
Step 2: Create a Lead Magnet Worth Signing Up For
Now that people are reading your blog, give them a reason to stick around. A lead magnet is a free resource that solves a specific problem for your ideal customer. Ideally, each blog post should include at least one lead magnet tailored to the topic at hand. Don’t get stingy—your lead magnet needs to be good. It should feel like something worth actual money if you want people to hand over their email address. Think checklists, templates, swipe files, or video tutorials. The more relevant your lead magnet is to the blog post itself, the more likely people are to sign up.
For example, if you're writing a blog post about improving your website homepage, your lead magnet could be a homepage checklist. If you're writing about email welcome sequences, your lead magnet could be a free template. It's all about offering the right freebie at the right time.
Step 3: Include the Lead Magnet in Every Blog Post
Don't make your readers hunt for it—include your opt-in offer directly in the post. Mention it in the middle of your content when it’s contextually relevant, and again at the end as a clear call to action. You can use an embedded form, a button, or even a pop-up, depending on your site setup. The key is making it easy and obvious.
Want to Learn How to Attract More Organic Traffic to Your Squarespace Website?
If you’re ready to get more eyes on your website and turn your blog into a traffic magnet, I’d love to invite you to my free class: The 3-Part Framework for Increasing Organic Traffic to Your Squarespace Website. You’ll learn how to:
• Build a brand message that resonates
Plan blog content that brings in the right people •
Use SEO and YouTube to amplify your reach
Click here to register for the free class now.
The more traffic your blog gets, the more subscribers you’ll gain—and the more people you’ll reach through all those great email campaigns you’re writing.
Written by Jen Barden of Jen-X Web Design, a Squarespace expert helping creative entrepreneurs grow their businesses with strategic websites and smart blog content.