How to grow your email list (before Q4) without tech overwhelm

If you’re a product-based business owner, you’ve probably felt the pressure to “grow your list.” Everyone talks about it, but when you’re already juggling social media, product development, and running your shop, it can feel like just another thing on your plate.

Here’s the truth: growing your email list doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. In fact, a few simple tweaks can make all the difference before Q4 (the biggest sales season of the year).

This blog post is packed with practical, non-techy tips you can use right away to attract more subscribers and turn them into your loyal customers.

Why having an email list matters (so much)

Social media is great for awareness, but it’s not where the real sales happen. Algorithms change, reach goes up and down, and your posts disappear after 24 hours, or never reaches more than 200 people.

Your email list, on the other hand, is an owned audience. You control when and how you show up. And it works, brands that segment their lists see up to 760% more revenue from email campaigns (Campaign Monitor). Even better? Email marketing has an average ROI of 38x what you put in.

That means even one order (with an average order value of £38) can cover the cost of your email platform each month.

Make it worth their while (the value exchange)

Asking people to “join my newsletter” doesn’t cut it anymore. Customers need a reason to hand over their email address. That’s where value exchange comes in.

Here are some easy incentive ideas:

💸 Instant discount codes: 10% off is a classic for a reason!

🎁 Free gifts with first orders

🔑 Early access to sales or limited editions

📖 Free guides, quizzes, or checklists

🤝 Collaborations and competitions

Think about what would make you sign up and offer that.

Pop-ups drive list growth

Pop-ups are the number one driver of email list growth. Done well, they can convert 5-10% of visitors into subscribers. Done poorly, they annoy people and get closed immediately.

Here’s how to make them work:

• Show your pop-up 5–15 seconds after someone lands on your site

• Keep it simple: ask only for an email (and maybe a first name)

• Deliver discount codes instantly on the success screen

• Make the incentive clear and bold

• Don’t show pop-ups to people already on your list

Bonus tip: Use a teaser button (like Klaviyo’s) that sits neatly in the corner so people can open the pop-up again later.

Other places to collect emails

Pop-ups are powerful, but don’t stop there. Add opportunities across your customer journey:

• Website footer sign-ups

• Dedicated sign-up landing page (perfect for sharing on social)

• Rewards schemes

• Checkout opt-ins

• Back-in-stock reminders

• Order confirmation and post-purchase flows

• In-person events and markets

Each one might bring in fewer sign-ups, but together they add up.

Quick Shopify wins

If you’re on Shopify, try these easy tweaks:

• Create a dedicated landing page for sign-ups with a Klaviyo form.

• Update your footer with a clear, consistent message about why to join.

• Add enticing opt-in copy at checkout.

Pro tip: avoid pre-ticked opt-in boxes. They might increase sign-ups short term, but they also lead to unsubscribes and spam complaints.

Track, test, and grow

Don’t just set it and forget it. Keep an eye on how your forms perform:

• Aim for 5% conversion on pop-ups (10% = amazing)

• Test different incentives to see what works

• Track where your sign-ups are coming from

Even better? Use that data to segment your list, so you can send more relevant emails that lead to more sales.

The mindset shift you need

A lot of founders hold back on email because they’re scared of spamming people. Here’s the reality: if you’re offering value (discounts, exclusive content, early access), people want to hear from you.

Your customers gave you their email because they’re interested in your brand. Don’t leave them hanging, show up, serve them and sell!

Your next steps

Before Q4 hits, spend some time perfecting your sign-up systems. Start with your pop-ups, then add in other touch points. Make the incentive irresistible, keep the design simple, and always deliver on your promise.

👉 Want support doing this step by step? That’s exactly what we work on inside my membership, Ecomm BFF. With live trainings, templates, and a supportive community to help you grow your list (and your sales) without the tech overwhelm.

Learn more about Ecomm BFF here ➝