Importance of Building an Email List for Online Course Creators

Why is an Email List Important?

• Ownership: Unlike social media platforms, you own your email list.
• Algorithm Changes: Social platforms can change algorithms, impacting your reach.
• Control: You control how and when you reach people.
• Profitability: 30-40% of your revenue should come from your email list.

Misconceptions and Grassroots Methods

• Common Misconceptions: Need for landing pages, freebies, and complex tech.
• Grassroots Methods: Easier, simpler methods to start and validate your list building.

Six Steps to Build Your Email List

1. Identifying the Right Email Subscribers

• Importance: Focus on quality over quantity.
• Key Metrics:
  • Open Rates: Aim for above 15-20%.
  • CTR (Click-Through Rates): Higher rates indicate engagement.
  • Domain Reputation: Avoid being marked as spam.
• Three Factors: Ideal client, their journey stage, and desired outcome.

2. Research Strategy for a Targeted Email List

• Grassroots Method: Build a list without tech by building relationships.
• Client Example: 61 ideal clients, $100,000 revenue in 2.5 weeks.
• Key Questions:
  • Biggest frustration with X?
  • Biggest fear about X?
  • What would they search for a solution to X?
  • Desired transformation: from X to Y.
• Finding Ideal Clients (ICA):
  • Offline: Therapists, universities, doctors.
  • Online: Facebook groups, Instagram hashtags, LinkedIn, YouTube comments.

3. Creative Ways to Grow Your List Without a Freebie

• Research Process: Build relationships and ask for email permission.
• Live Training/Webinars: Promote and collect emails during the event.
• Existing Audience: Use polls, direct messages, and network partnerships to gather emails.

4. Build a Relevant Exchange of Value

• Focus on Relevance: Attract the right people with hyper-targeted content.
• Example: Specific checklists and guides tied to ideal client needs.
• Tools:
  • Canva, PowerPoint, Keynote for creating content.
  • MailChimp, ActiveCampaign for email list management.

5. Create the Tech

• Start Simple: Use spreadsheets initially, then transition to email platforms.
• Build Pages: Create landing and thank you pages for email collection.
• Tagging and Segmenting: Categorize subscribers by their interests for better targeting.

6. Do the Math and Drive Traffic

• Lead Calculation: Identify how many leads you need to meet revenue goals.
• Driving Traffic: Use YouTube, social media, and other platforms to promote your opt-ins.
• Content Promotion: Consistently drive traffic to your email list.

Additional Resources

• Free Guide: 10 steps to create an impactful online education business (link in description).
• Engagement: Ask audience for their first step to building an email list and topic.

Summary

• Consistency: Continue to engage and provide value to your email list.
• Quality over Quantity: Focus on attracting and nurturing ideal clients.
• Proven Strategies: Test and validate your methods to ensure effectiveness.

For more detailed guidance, watch the linked videos and download the free guide.