WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
A YOUTUBERS GUIDE TO STARTING AND
GROWING AN EMAIL LIST
This document has been created for information based YouTube channels as I
strongly believe you MUST start an email list for long term sustainability.
Use the sidebar to jump to the relevant section of the document.
WHY INFORMATION BASED CHANNELS MUST
START AN EMAIL LIST
1. Direct Audience Access: Email provides a direct line to your audience
without the interference of algorithms so its easier to get a message out.
2. Ownership of Audience: Unlike platforms like YouTube, with email, you
"own" your audience. If YouTube shuts down or your channel faces issues,
you still have your email list.
3. Monetization Potential: Email allows for direct promotion of products,
services, and affiliate links, leading to potential sales and revenue.
4. Protection Against Revenue Loss: With issues like the "invalid traffic issue"
on YouTube, where ad revenue can be slashed, having an email list provides
an alternative revenue stream.
5. Higher Engagement Rates: Emails often have higher click-through rates
compared to other platforms, especially if you can craft compelling content.
6. Sponsorship Opportunities: Your email list can be another platform for
sponsorships, adding another revenue source.
7. Building Trust: Regular emails can help in building trust with your audience,
making them more likely to engage with your content and purchase products
or services you recommend.
8. Promotion of Exclusive Content: You can offer exclusive content, deals, or
insights to your email subscribers, adding value to their subscription.
9. Building a Community: Regular emails can help foster a sense of
community among your subscribers, leading to higher loyalty and
engagement.
THE GOLDEN RULE FOR STARTING YOUR
EMAIL
RULE: YouTubers must kiss - Keep It Simple Stupid
Here’s what matters to you right now:
1. Gain Efficiencies: By keeping things simple, YouTubers can quickly set up
and start their email campaigns without getting bogged down in the details.
2. Avoid Common Traps: Many people get caught up in intricate email
automation and nurture campaigns. While these can be powerful, they can
also be confusing and time-consuming for those new to email marketing.
3. Avoid Procrastination: The more complicated the process, the more likely
someone is to delay or avoid it. Keeping it simple ensures that YouTubers will
actually start and maintain their email campaigns.
4. Adaptability: Starting simple allows for flexibility. As YouTubers become more
familiar with email marketing, they can gradually introduce more advanced
techniques.
HOW TO START AND GROW YOUR EMAIL
LIST
STEP 1: SIGN UP TO CONVERT KIT (This is an affiliate link)
This is free for the first 1k subscribers and has everything you need to scale past that
point
STEP 2: CREATE A SIGNUP FORM PAGE/LANDING PAGE
This video will show you how to set it up on Convert Kit
STEP 3: WRITE YOUR LANDING PAGE COPY
Just follow the system below.
Headline:
● Use a simple formula: "Become a better [your niche/topic] in just X minutes."
● It should convey the main benefit or result the subscriber will get from your
emails.
Copy/Subheadline:
● Write a concise subheadline that elaborates on the value they'll receive.
● Highlight the benefits or what they can expect from your emails.
● As you progress, consider adding testimonials or feedback about the value of
your emails.
Design:
● Keep the sign-up page simple and free of distractions.
● Ideally, the page should have no menu, so the only action a visitor can take is
to sign up or leave.
Remember, the goal is to make the sign-up process as straightforward and enticing
as possible, so potential subscribers know exactly what they're getting and why they
should join.
STEP 4: CREATE A TAG
What is a Tag?
-
A tag is a label or identifier that can be assigned to someone when they sign
up to your email list via your form.
It's like a virtual "word" or "label" that gets attached to a subscriber's profile.
How Do Tags Work?
Segmentation: When someone signs up using a specific form or for a particular
offer, you can assign a unique tag to them. This helps in segmenting your email list
based on interests, actions, or any other criteria.
Email Targeting: When you're sending out an email, the software will ask who you
want to email. By selecting a specific tag, you can send your email only to those
subscribers associated with that tag.
For instance, if you tag subscribers as "gooba" when they sign up using a particular
form, you can later send emails specifically to everyone with the "gooba" tag.
Automation: In the future, when you offer something specific (like a lead magnet or
a PDF), you might assign a different tag to that sign-up form.
Once someone signs up and gets that tag, it can trigger an automation, like sending
them the promised PDF.
After that, you might add another tag to them, so they also receive your regular
newsletters.
Flexibility: Tags offer flexibility in managing and communicating with your email list.
You can have multiple tags for a single subscriber based on their actions, interests,
or how they joined your list.
Tags are a powerful tool in email marketing, allowing for better organisation,
segmentation, and targeted communication with your subscribers.
STEP 5: SELECT EMAIL FREQUENCY
Start Simple: Initially, commit to emailing your list once a month. This frequency
ensures you don't get overwhelmed and helps you establish a routine.
Then over time as you get used to writing and producing content, increase the
frequency.
If you think you’re ready for weekly then start straight away but don’t put too much on
your plate if you’ve not got a team to help.
STEP 6: SELECT YOUR STYLE OF EMAIL
Don't be afraid to try different things, here’s some options I tried.
Written Email:
● Create an engaging title, similar to a YouTube video title.
● Write about 700 words on the chosen topic.
Video Email:
● Share a video directly in the email.
● Offer subscribers the chance to ask questions, which you then answer in the video.
● The video can be simple, with minimal editing, as subscribers already trust you and
are more likely to watch the entire content.
Content Sharing:
● Share links to your favourite content online that you believe your subscribers
shouldn't miss.
● This can include articles, other videos, or any valuable resources.
News Stories:
● Cover relevant news stories that would interest your audience.
Deals and Offers:
●
Share amazing deals or offers you've come across that might benefit your
subscribers.
Rewritten YouTube Content:
● Take your best-performing YouTube videos and rewrite them into a short email
format.
Storytelling:
● Share personal stories or experiences, especially those that highlight challenges
you've overcome that your subscribers might relate to.
Case Studies:
● Share case studies or success stories of others, providing insights and lessons that
subscribers can learn from.
● Mistakes and Lessons:
Share mistakes you've made and the lessons you've learned from them.
Promotional Emails:
● Occasionally send emails that promote a product or service.
● These emails can be a mix of information and promotion or be solely focused on the
promotion.
Regular Updates:
● Provide consistent updates or insights, ensuring you're delivering value with each
email.
HOW TO PROMOTE YOUR EMAIL LIST
Mention in Videos:
● Talk about your email list in your YouTube videos, highlighting the value subscribers
will get from joining.
Community Wall Posts:
● Use the YouTube community wall to tease the value of your upcoming emails.
● Write a hook that targets a problem your viewers have and then provide a brief
summary of the email's value.
● Include a link to sign up for the email list.
● Add a 1080x1080 square image to the post for visual appeal.
Channel Page & Video Descriptions:
● Include links to your email sign-up page on your YouTube channel's main page.
●
Add the sign-up link in the description of every video you upload.
Offer Exclusive Content:
● Promise exclusive content, insights, or bonuses to those who sign up for the email
list. This can be a strong incentive for viewers to subscribe.
PRO TIP: Learn from Others:
● Sign up for other people's email lists to see how they promote and engage their
audience. This can give you ideas and inspiration for your own promotions.
● Use Social Platforms:
● Promote your email list on all your social media platforms, not just YouTube. Share
the sign-up link and highlight the benefits of joining.
Simple Call-to-Action:
● In the beginning, keep the call-to-action straightforward. For instance, "I've started an
email list for in-depth YouTube channel growth tips. Sign up if you're interested!"
Evolve Over Time:
● As you get more comfortable and your list grows, you can start offering more reasons
for viewers to sign up, like exclusive content, giveaways, or other incentives.
HOW TO MAKE SALES FROM EMAIL
Link to Products:
● In every email, include links to your products or services.
● The idea is not to hard-sell but to make subscribers aware of your offerings.
Follow the 80/20 Rule:
● Make 80% of your emails about providing information or value.
● Use the remaining 20% for promotions or selling.
Occasional Promo Emails:
● Every once in a while, send out an email that's purely promotional.
● This email can focus entirely on a product, service, or special offer.
Affiliate Links:
● Sponsorships:
● Partner with brands or companies and promote their products/services in your emails
for a fee.
Soft Promotion:
● Instead of aggressive selling, subtly promote your products or services.
●
For instance, at the end of an informative email, you can include links to your
products or mention them in passing.
Be Open About Promotions:
● When sending promotional emails, be transparent about it.
● Use headlines that make it clear the email is promotional, so only interested
subscribers will open it.
Consistency:
● Regularly remind subscribers of your offerings, even if it's just a brief mention or link
at the end of an email.
HOW TO WRITE AN EMAIL - MY SIMPLE
SYSTEM
Here’s an example of one of my own emails that follows this structure. Sign up to my list
here
Follow these steps to write your own email.
Engaging Title:
●
Start with a captivating title, similar to a YouTube video title. It should grab the
reader's attention and make them want to open the email.
The Hook:
● Learn how to write hooks watching this
● Begin the email with a hook that grabs the reader's attention immediately. This
should be a brief, compelling statement or question.
Set Up:
● Provide a brief overview or trailer of what the email will cover. This can be done using
bullet points to highlight the main topics or value propositions.
Use Headlines:
● Break up the email content with headlines. These serve to separate different sections
or topics within the email and make it easier for readers to skim.
Content Delivery:
● Dive into the main content of the email. This can be a mix of text, images, and links.
Ensure the content delivers on the promises made in the set-up.
Personal Stories:
● Incorporate personal stories or experiences to make the email more relatable and
engaging.
Visuals:
● Use images or graphics to enhance the email's content and make it more visually
appealing.
White Space:
● Ensure the email is easy to read by using plenty of white space. Avoid large blocks of
text.
Simple Language:
● Write in a conversational tone and aim for a reading age of 12 to make the content
accessible to a wide audience.
Promotion:
● Include links to your products or services, but follow the 80/20 rule: 80%
informational content and 20% promotional.
Consistent Sign-Off:
● End the email in a consistent manner, whether it's with a signature, a reminder, or a
call-to-action.
Use Tools:
● Consider using tools like ChatGPT to help refine and improve your email's content.