Already using Mailchimp but struggling to grow your email list? You’re not alone. While having a powerful email marketing platform like Mailchimp is a great first step, the real challenge is consistently attracting new subscribers.
In this article, we’ll cover seven practical strategies to boost your list growth and introduce a bonus tool that can make the process even easier.
Recommended Read: How to Use Popups to Grow Your Email List without Annoying Visitors
7 Ways to Grow Your Mailchimp Email List
1. Optimize and Refresh Your Embedded Signup Forms
If you already have embedded signup forms on your website, great! But when was the last time you updated them? Many businesses set up their forms once and forget about them, missing out on potential subscribers due to poor placement, uninspiring copy, or outdated offers.
Tips for Improving Your Signup Forms
- Review Placement: Are your forms easily visible? Ensure they are placed on high-traffic pages like the homepage, blog posts, and about page. A well-placed form on a sidebar, footer, or at the end of articles can work wonders.
- Enhance the Copy: Instead of generic text like “Subscribe to our newsletter,” make it clear what subscribers will gain. For example: “Get exclusive marketing tips delivered to your inbox—join 10,000+ marketers today!”
- Offer a Lead Magnet: People are more likely to sign up if they get something valuable in return. Offer a free resource like an eBook, checklist, discount code, or webinar in exchange for their email.
Action Step
Use Mailchimp’s built-in tools to revamp the design and message of your signup forms. Make sure they reflect your brand’s voice and highlight the value of subscribing.
2. Create High-Converting Landing Pages for Targeted Offers
Mailchimp makes it easy to create dedicated landing pages that focus on growing your email list—without needing a full website revamp. These pages help you attract more subscribers by offering them something irresistible in exchange for their email addresses.
Best Use Cases for Mailchimp Landing Pages
- Promote a Freebie: Create a landing page offering an exclusive resource, such as an eBook, template, or video tutorial.
- Run a Challenge or Event: Hosting a limited-time challenge, webinar, or giveaway? Use a landing page to collect signups.
- Exclusive Content Access: Offer access to premium content, like a members-only newsletter, private podcast episodes, or special reports.
Tips for Creating High-Converting Landing Pages
- Keep It Focused: Each landing page should have a single goal—whether it’s collecting emails or promoting a freebie. Avoid cluttering it with unnecessary information.
- Write a Strong Call-to-Action (CTA): Make it clear and compelling. Instead of just “Sign up,” try something more persuasive like “Download Your Free Guide Now”.
- Promote It Everywhere: Share your landing page link in your Instagram bio, X, LinkedIn, and even in your email signature. The more visibility it gets, the more subscribers you’ll gain.
3. Use Popups to Capture Visitors Before They Leave
If you’re relying only on static forms to collect emails, you’re missing out on a huge opportunity. Popups grab attention and can convert casual visitors into subscribers. They appear at just the right time, increasing the chances of capturing emails before someone leaves your site.
Types of Popups to Consider
- Welcome Popups: Show a message as soon as visitors arrive, offering them an incentive to subscribe. Example: “Join our list and get 10% off your first purchase!”
- Exit-Intent Popups: These appear when a visitor is about to leave your site, giving you one last chance to convert them. Example: “Wait! Grab our free marketing toolkit before you go!”
Tips for Effective Popups
- Keep It Simple: Avoid long forms—just ask for an email (and maybe a first name).
- Focus on Value: Highlight why signing up is worth their time.
- Test Different Messages: Experiment with different headlines, offers, and CTA buttons to see what works best.
4. Leverage Social Media to Drive Signups
Your social media channels are a goldmine for attracting new email subscribers. With the right approach, you can convert followers into engaged email list members, providing them with exclusive content, offers, and updates. Here are effective strategies to grow your Mailchimp email list using social media:
- Add Signup Links to Bios: Ensure your Instagram, X, Facebook, and LinkedIn bios include a direct link to your email signup landing page. Make it clear why users should sign up, such as gaining access to exclusive content or discounts.
- Run Social Media Contests: Encourage people to subscribe by hosting giveaways where signing up for your email list is an entry requirement. Promote the contest across platforms and consider partnering with influencers to expand your reach.
- Promote Lead Magnets in Posts: Regularly share engaging content that highlights the benefits of your freebies (e-books, guides, templates) and include a clear call to action (CTA) directing users to sign up.
- Utilize Instagram & Facebook Stories: Use interactive features like polls, question stickers, and swipe-up links (if eligible) to drive traffic to your signup page.
- Leverage Paid Ads: Invest in targeted social media ads promoting your lead magnets or exclusive email content to attract new subscribers.
- Pin Signup Posts: Pin a signup-focused post to the top of your social media pages for maximum visibility and engagement.
5. Use Content Upgrades in Blog Posts
A content upgrade is a lead magnet tied to a specific blog post, offering additional value to readers in exchange for their email address. These upgrades are highly effective because they are directly relevant to the content the visitor is already interested in, making them more likely to subscribe.
Examples of Content Upgrades:
- A Checklist in a Productivity Article: Provide a downloadable productivity checklist summarizing key action steps for better efficiency.
- A Free Template in a Design-Related Post: Offer an editable template (e.g., Canva, Photoshop, or Excel) to help users implement your design tips.
- A Bonus Guide in a Marketing Tips Post: Include an in-depth PDF guide with advanced marketing strategies, case studies, or exclusive insights.
- A Video Tutorial in a Technical Guide: Provide a short, step-by-step video walkthrough to supplement a written tutorial.
- A Swipe File in a Copywriting Post: Share a collection of pre-written headlines, email subject lines, or ad copy for users to customize.
- A Webinar Replay in an Educational Blog Post: Give readers access to a past webinar relevant to the blog topic in exchange for their email.
How to Offer Content Upgrades Effectively:
- Use inline call-to-action (CTA) buttons within the blog post to encourage signups.
- Add a highlighted section at the beginning or end of the post promoting the upgrade.
- Utilize popups or slide-ins triggered by user behavior to capture interest.
6. Collaborate with Influencers & Other Businesses
Teaming up with industry influencers or complementary businesses is a powerful way to expand your reach and attract new subscribers to your Mailchimp email list. By leveraging existing audiences that align with your niche, you can increase visibility and build trust more effectively.
Ideas for Collaborations:
- Guest Blog Posts: Write valuable content for well-established blogs in your industry and include a strong call-to-action (CTA) for your email list. Ensure the topic aligns with your expertise and provides a natural lead-in to your email offerings.
- Webinars & Podcasts: Co-host an online event or podcast episode with an influencer or business partner. Share your signup link with attendees or listeners and offer exclusive content or bonuses for subscribers.
- Cross-Promotion: Exchange shoutouts or mentions with a partner business that complements yours (e.g., a fitness coach partnering with a nutritionist). Promote each other’s email lists through newsletters, social media, or blog content.
- Exclusive Lead Magnet Collaborations: Create a joint lead magnet, such as an eBook, checklist, or course, and require an email signup for access. This allows both parties to collect leads from their audiences.
- Giveaway Partnerships: Run a co-branded giveaway with another business or influencer where participants must enter their email to join. This is a great way to boost signups quickly.
- Instagram & YouTube Collabs: Partner with influencers to create engaging content (such as Instagram Lives, Reels, or YouTube videos) that highlight your email list benefits and encourage their audience to subscribe.
Tips for Effective Collaborations:
- Choose partners with an engaged audience that aligns with your target market.
- Ensure the collaboration is mutually beneficial by offering value to both parties.
- Track performance using UTM parameters or unique signup links to measure the impact.
7. Automate Referral & Incentive Programs
Encouraging your current subscribers to refer new ones through incentives can significantly boost your email list growth. A well-structured referral program rewards your existing audience while helping you attract engaged, high-quality leads.
Methods to Implement Referral & Incentive Programs:
- Give Discounts or Freebies: Reward subscribers with a discount code, free resource, or exclusive content for every successful referral.
- Use a Referral Tool: Mailchimp integrates with some referral programs to automate tracking and incentives.
- Exclusive Membership Perks: Offer VIP access, early product releases, or special deals to subscribers who refer others.
- Gamify the Process: Introduce tiered rewards where subscribers earn better incentives based on the number of referrals.
- Social Media Challenges: Encourage existing subscribers to share a referral link on their social media in exchange for rewards.
- Email-Based Challenges: Run a time-limited referral contest where subscribers who bring in the most signups win bigger prizes.
Best Practices for Referral Programs:
- Make sharing easy by providing pre-written social media posts and emails.
- Keep the reward system simple and clearly communicate the benefits.
- Promote the program consistently through email campaigns, website banners, and social media.
- Monitor referral performance to optimize incentives and improve conversions.
Bonus Tip: Grow Your Mailchimp Email List with Poptin
While Mailchimp has built-in popup forms, Poptin offers more control and customization, making it an excellent complement to your email marketing efforts. By using Poptin, you can create highly targeted and visually appealing opt-in forms that capture leads more effectively.
Why Use Poptin?
- Advanced Targeting Options: Trigger popups based on exit intent, time on page, scroll depth, inactivity, and more to engage visitors at the perfect moment.
- Beautiful, Customizable Designs: Easily create eye-catching forms using an intuitive drag-and-drop builder—no coding required.
- A/B Testing Capabilities: Experiment with different popup designs, messages, and triggers to find the best-performing version and maximize conversions.
- Seamless Mailchimp Integration: Automatically sync new leads to your Mailchimp lists, ensuring a smooth and efficient email marketing workflow.
- Mobile-Friendly & Fast-Loading: Deliver a seamless user experience with responsive, lightweight popups that won’t slow down your site.
- Autoresponders: Instantly send welcome emails or special offers to new subscribers, keeping them engaged from the moment they join your list.
If you’re serious about growing your Mailchimp email list, try Poptin for free today. With its features, you can effortlessly convert more website visitors into engaged email subscribers.
Conclusion
Your Mailchimp email list won’t grow overnight, but by implementing these tactics, you’ll start seeing steady, real growth. Ready to take action? Start with one of these strategies today and watch your subscriber numbers climb!
Try Poptin now and take your email list growth to the next level Get Started Today!
