09. How to Get Your First 500 Email Subscribers (and Make Money From Your Email List)

If you’ve been ignoring your email list… this is your sign to stop.

In this episode of the Boss Lady Social Podcast, I’m breaking down the exact strategy I’d use to get my next (or first) 500 email subscribers this month… and how to actually make money from your list while you grow it.

Because here’s the truth:

It’s not about having a big list… it’s about having an aligned one.

And email marketing is still the highest ROI channel in your business, hands down.

This episode is your email marketing strategy that actually works in 2026, whether you’re starting from zero or trying to turn your list into consistent income.

Inside this episode, I’m walking you through:

•  how to create lead magnets people actually want 
•  why most freebies don’t convert (and how to fix it) 
•  how to turn subscribers into paying clients 
•  the biggest mistake people make with their email list 
•  how to automate your entire funnel (so it runs without you) 
•  and the Threads strategy I’m using right now to grow FAST 

If you’ve been wondering how to grow your list, this is your step-by-step breakdown of 7 steps to grow your email list fast (beginner to 500 subscribers), without needing a huge audience.

If you’re relying only on Instagram or social media to grow your business…

Then you’re building on borrowed land.

This episode will help you start building something you actually own.

💌 Come hang out with me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/courtneydavini

⚙️ My favorite all-in-one email + funnel platform (the one I use): https://systeme.io/tr/2/161/13037202941/39837047/325064870c0df859c5aa03e153ba9edce39989e17

If this episode helped you, don’t forget to:
⭐ leave a review
📲 share it with a friend
📸 tag me on Instagram @courtneydavini so I can see you’re listening

Here’s to your next 500 email subscribers… and actually getting paid from your list 💸

Transcript

Hello, hello, hello, and welcome back to the Boss Lady Social Podcast. I'm your host, Courtney Sjoberg Davini, and today we are talking all about email.

I am super excited. I am such a nerd when it comes to email, and one of my favorite things is when I get a new client who has an email list but hasn’t actually used it. If that’s you and you want to make money off that list, slide into my DMs, because you are my favorite kind of client.

Today we’re going to talk about seven steps to help you get your next, or maybe your first, 500 email subscribers this month. This month. It’s very doable.

And this isn’t just about growing your email list, it’s about making money while you do it.

I want to start with a couple of stats because a lot of people think email marketing is dead, which is honestly so funny to me. It was working years ago, it’s working now, and it’s still the highest ROI marketing channel you can use.

In 2026, the average return on investment for email is about $36 to $42 for every $1 spent. That’s a 3,600% to 4,200% return, which is insane.

And here’s the thing, it’s not about having a huge list. You could have 10,000 people on your list, but if they’re not aligned with what you do, you’re not going to make money. You need the right people.

Also, social media is borrowed land. You don’t own it. You could lose your Instagram, your TikTok, your YouTube tomorrow. Your email list is yours.

And honestly, it’s not really a lead unless they’re on your email list.

So now that I’ve hopefully convinced you that email matters, let’s get into the steps.

Step one is to create two really valuable, trust-building lead magnets.

I want you to think about your ideal client and how they like to consume content. Are they someone who wants something quick? Or do they want something deeper?

So I want you to create one quick win, something simple that gives them immediate value. And then I want you to create one longer, more trust-building piece of content, like a webinar, a podcast, or a training.

The key here is that both of these should naturally lead into your paid offer.

Step two is to get feedback and actually vet your lead magnets.

Don’t skip this.

Have someone look at it and ask them, would you actually use this? Would you pay for this?

If the answer is yes, then it’s a good freebie.

Step three is to automate everything.

You do not want to be manually sending people your freebie. You want someone to go to your landing page, enter their email, hit submit, and have everything delivered automatically.

My favorite platform for this is Systeme. I’ve been using it for years, I’m obsessed with it, and I’ll drop my link below.

Step four is to add an upsell on your thank you page.

After someone opts in, instead of just saying “thanks,” you want to offer them something small, between $7 and $99, that’s related to your freebie.

Even if they don’t buy, you’re planting a seed.

And I want to say this clearly, you have to get comfortable with selling.

You are running a business. Selling is part of that. But when you actually believe in what you’re selling, it doesn’t feel gross. It feels helpful.

Step five is to test your automation.

This is huge.

Nothing breaks trust faster than something not working. If someone opts in or buys something and it doesn’t deliver, they’re going to assume the worst.

So test everything. Have a friend test it too.

Step six is something I’ve been playing with a lot recently, and that’s Threads.

If you’re not on Threads yet, you should be.

It feels like the old Facebook group days where people were actually connecting and helping each other.

What I want you to do is go on Threads and look for people asking for help related to what you do. Then respond in a helpful way.

Don’t just drop your link everywhere. That feels gross.

Instead, offer value and invite them to DM you if they want your freebie.

This has been working really well for me. I’ve gotten podcast invites, collaborations, and even clients just from having conversations.

Step seven is to pin your freebie and track everything.

Pin a post about your freebie to your profile, add the link to your bio, and if you can, use tracking links so you know where your traffic is coming from.

Because if you don’t know what’s working, you can’t double down on it.

And then just spend some time every day being social.

Commenting, connecting, helping people.

That’s honestly where a lot of growth is happening right now.

Bonus tip, if you want to take this further, is to create an email sequence after someone signs up.

And if you’re not sure how to do that, go study other people. Sign up for their freebies and see how they do it.

You can learn so much just by paying attention.

And lastly, I just want to say this:

My number one marketing strategy is that I give a shit.

I genuinely want you to win. Because when you win, you make more money, and when good women make more money, we make the world better.

If you enjoyed this episode, I would love it if you shared it with someone, posted it on your Instagram stories, or left a review, especially on Apple Podcasts.

Thank you so much for being here, and here’s to your next 500 email subscribers.

Alright, I’ll see you next week. Bye.