Did you know email marketing can return up to $36 for every $1 you invest, according to Shopify?
That’s insane!
According to Statista, In 2024, e-mail marketing revenue was projected to surpass 9.5 billion U.S. dollars.
If you’re not building an email list, you’re leaving money on the table!
If you’re building a business online, one of the smartest things you can do is grow an email list.
Why?
Because social media algorithms can change overnight, ads cost money, and SEO takes
time.
But your email list? That’s yours forever.
Now, here’s the best part:
you don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on fancy software to start.
With tools like Systeme.io, you can create a professional email list—
even if you’re starting from scratch and have zero tech skills.
1. My story
“I started using Systeme.io about three years ago, just looking for an affordable way to run my
online business — and it quickly became one of the best tools in my toolkit.
It’s packed with the features every marketer and business owner needs
and doesn’t break the bank, which is a win-win in my book.”
In this guide, I’ll show you step by step how to build your email list for free using Systeme.io.
By the end, you’ll have a simple system to collect leads, send automated emails.
2. Why Building an Email List Matters
Before we jump into the how-to, let’s talk about why this is such a big deal.
- You own the audience. Unlike social media followers, an email list is yours. No one can take it away.
- Better engagement. Emails land in your subscriber’s inbox—not buried in a feed full of cat videos.
- Higher conversions. People who join your list are interested. They’re more likely to buy from you later.
Bottom line?
If you’re serious about your business, an email list is non-negotiable.
Here you can check 10 benefits of using email marketing for your business
3. Why Systeme.io is Perfect for Beginners
So, why use Systeme.io instead of tools like Mailchimp or ConvertKit?
- It’s beginner-friendly. The dashboard is clean and easy to use.
- It’s all-in-one. Landing pages ,email automation, funnels—everything’s under one roof.
- Free plan. You can manage up to 2,000 contacts and send unlimited emails for $0.
No headaches. No paying extra for every little feature.
While some tools will charge you $97 to create your funnels,
Systeme.io will cost you nothing to create your first three funnels.
4. How to Build an Email List : (Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1 – Set Up Your Systeme.io Account
Go to Systeme.io and sign up for free
Confirm your email and log in
An image Of Sysyeme.io Homepage
Step 2 – Create a Lead Magnet That Converts
Examples of lead magnets:
- Free checklists
- eBooks
- Mini courses
- Checklists & Cheat Sheets
- Templates & Swipe Files
- Free Courses or Video Trainings
- Webinars & Live Trainings
- Free Trials or Demos
- Discounts & Special Offers
Upload it to Systeme.io and automate delivery.
Step 3 – Build Your First Landing Page
- Create a funnel in Systeme.io
- Add an opt-in form
- Keep the design clean and CTA-focused
Step 4 – Set Up Your Email List and Tags
Tags help you segment subscribers.
Example tags:
- “eBook Download”
- “Webinar Attendees
Step 5 – Automate Your Email Sequence
Create a workflow in Systeme.io
Send a welcome email immediately
Add value-packed follow-ups
Step 6 – Drive Traffic to Your Landing Page
You’ve built a great landing page, added your lead magnet, and set up your email automation
… but here’s the catch:
no traffic = no subscribers.
Your landing page is like a store in the middle of a desert—it needs visitors to work
its magic. Let’s talk about the best ways to send people there.
6.1. Leverage Free Traffic Sources
Free traffic takes effort, but it’s perfect if you’re starting on a budget.
Here are some proven ways:
- Share on Social Media: Post your landing page link on Facebook, Instagram,
- Twitter, and LinkedIn. Don’t just drop the link—explain why your freebie is valuable.
- Join Niche Communities: Facebook Groups, Reddit forums, or LinkedIn communities
- where your target audience hangs out. Be helpful first, then share your lead magnet naturally.
- Content Marketing: Write a blog post that solves a problem, then include your lead magnet
- as the next step. Example: A post about “10 Fitness Tips” with a free “Workout Planner” download.
- YouTube & Podcasts: Create short videos or podcast episodes and promote your free resource
- in the description or show notes.
6.2. Use Paid Ads for Faster Results
If you want quick traffic, paid ads can be a game-changer.
- Facebook & Instagram Ads: Perfect for targeting interests, behaviors, and lookalike audiences.
- Google Ads: Great for capturing high-intent searches like “free AI tools checklist”
- or “A full Chat GPT tutorial.”
- TikTok Ads: If your audience loves short videos, TikTok is a goldmine for lead gen right now.
Start with a small budget, test your ads, and scale what work
6.3. Don’t Forget Email & Your Website
- Add Sign-up Links in Your Blog Posts: If you have a blog, sprinkle links to your landing page in relevant posts.
- Use Pop-ups & Exit-Intent Offers: Capture visitors who are about to leave your site with an irresistible offer.
- Add to Your Email Signature: Every email you send is a chance to promote your landing page.
Pro Tip for Higher Conversions
Traffic is great, but quality traffic matters more than quantity.
Target people who are already interested in your niche, and make sure
your landing page matches the promise in your ad or post.
5. Best Practices for Growing Your Email List Faster
Building an email list is one thing. Growing it quickly and effectively? That’s where strategy comes in.
If you want to see real results (and avoid a list full of unengaged subscribers), here are some best
practices that work like a charm.
5.1. Offer Irresistible Lead Magnets
People won’t give you their email for nothing. They need a reason.
What works?
- Checklists and Templates (quick wins people can use immediately
- Mini eBooks (short, actionable, not a 100-page novel)
- Exclusive Discounts (great for e-commerce businesses)
- Pro tip: The key is relevance. A freebie that solves a specific problem
- beats a generic “newsletter sign-up” every time.
5.2. Use Multiple Signup Touchpoints
Don’t hide your sign-up form like it’s a secret. Make it easy for people to find it.
- Add it to your homepage
- Use sidebar widgets on your blog
- Include it at the end of every article
- Add it to your navigation bar
- Use pop-ups (but make them user-friendly, not annoying)
The easier you make it, the more sign-ups you’ll get.
5.3 Personalize and Segment Your List
Sending the same email to everyone? That’s old-school.
Instead:
- Segment based on how people signed up (e.g., “lead magnet A” vs. “webinar”)
- Personalize emails with names and relevant content
- Tailor offers to their interests
Result? Higher engagement, more clicks, and fewer unsubscribes.
5.4 Leverage Social Proof
Show people others are signing up too. Why? Because humans trust what others trust.
- Add testimonials from happy subscribers
- Display your subscriber count (only if it’s impressive!)
- Share screenshots of positive feedback on social media
5.5 Optimize for Mobile
Over 60% of email signups happen on mobile. If your forms aren’t mobile-friendly,
you’re losing leads.
- Keep forms short (name + email is enough)
- Make buttons big and easy to click
- Test your landing page on multiple devices
5.6 Test, Measure, and Improve
What works for others might not work for you.
- A/B test your headlines and CTAs
- Experiment with different lead magnets
- Track conversion rates in your email platform
Remember: Your email list is an asset. Treat it like one.
That means continuous optimization.
Quick Recap
- Give value first (with strong lead magnets)
- Make signing up easy and visible
- Personalize for better engagement
- Optimize for mobile users
- Test everything and improve constantly
Apply these best practices, and your list will grow faster and stronger.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can build a high-quality email list from scratch
that will become one of your most valuable marketing assets, driving engagement,
sales, and long-term customer loyalty.
Growing an email list from scratch might feel overwhelming at first, but here’s the truth:
it’s one of the smartest investments you can make in your business.
Unlike social media followers or paid ads, your email list is an asset you own.
It gives you a direct line to your audience—no algorithms, no middlemen.
With Systeme.io, building and growing your list has never been easier.
You have everything in one place: landing pages, email automation, and
even sales funnels—all without breaking the bank.
So, here’s your next step:
- Set up your Systeme.io account
- Create a simple landing page with an irresistible lead magnet
- Start driving traffic and watch your email list grow
Remember, every big email list started with a single subscriber. Take action today,
and in a few months, you’ll thank yourself.
👉 Ready to start? Sign up for Systeme.io for free and build your email list today!
FAQ
- How to make a custom email list?
To make a custom email list, choose an email marketing platform
(like Systeme.io, Mailchimp, or ConvertKit), create sign-up forms or landing pages,
collect emails from your target audience, and organize subscribers using tags
or segments for personalized campaigns.
- 2. How do you generate your e-mail list?
Offering a lead magnet (e.g., free guide, checklist, discount) in exchange for emails
Creating a landing page or opt-in form on your website
Using social media to promote your freebie
Running webinars or free challenges
Adding sign-up CTAs in blogs, YouTube videos, and email signatures
Using pop-ups or exit-intent forms on your site
- 3. How much is a 1000 email list worth?
The value of a 1,000-subscriber email list depends on your niche, engagement,
and monetization strategy, but here’s a general rule:
- Industry average: Email marketing generates about $42 for every $1 spent (DMA report).
- A 1,000-subscriber list can realistically make $1 per subscriber per month if nurtured well.
- That means ~$1,000 per month potential revenue for a solid list.
If the list is unengaged or purchased, its value is close to zero. Quality > Quantity.
- 4. How to create an automatic email list?
- 1. Choose an email marketing platform (e.g., Systeme.io, Mailchimp, ConvertKit)
- 2. Create a sign-up form or landing page to collect emails
- 3. Offer a lead magnet (e.g., free guide, discount, checklist) to encourage sign-ups
- 4. et up an automation workflow to send a welcome email after sign-up
- 5. Add subscribers automatically to your email list using tags or segments
- 6. Embed forms on your website, blog posts, and social media profiles
- 7. Test the sign-up process and monitor conversions regularly
- 5. How can I make a mass email list?
1. Choose an Email Marketing Service (e.g., Systeme.io, Mailchimp, ConvertKit) to manage large lists and comply with anti-spam laws. - 2. Collect Emails Legally by using opt-in forms, landing pages, and lead magnets.
- 3. Import Existing Contacts (only if they’ve given consent) into your email platform.
- 4. Segment Your List based on interests, demographics, or behavior for better targeting.
- 5. Clean Your List Regularly to remove inactive or invalid emails and maintain deliverability.
- 6. Ensure Compliance with GDPR, CAN-SPAM, and other email regulations.
- 7. Automate List Growth by integrating sign-up forms on your website, social media, and blog.