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Why Your Email List Isn’t Growing (+ How To Fix It)
Popups don’t grow email lists. Value does.
Nathan Schacherer
March 17, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 4 minutes
Hey,
It's Nathan Schacherer with CreativeDTC.
Popups don’t grow email lists. Value does.
If your list isn’t growing, the problem isn’t where your form is or just what it looks like, it’s why people should care. They don’t want more emails. They want something that feels worth it.
So, why isn’t your email list growing?
1. You’re not giving them a reason to care.
Nobody joins an email list just to get more emails. They need a reason. A discount is fine, but if it’s weak, it won’t always work long-term. Try VIP perks, early access, exclusive content, or personalized product picks. Free guides and loyalty rewards work too.
2. Your form is asking for too much.
People won’t waste time filling out a long form. Ask for just an email. Want more info? Get it later, once trust is built. Every extra field kills conversions.
3. Your timing is way off.
Hitting people with a popup the second they land is a mistake. Give them 6-10 seconds or trigger it when they go to leave. Make sure signup forms are in the right places, blog posts, footers, homepage, product pages.
4. You’re relying too much on your website.
Your site alone won’t grow your list fast enough. Use social media. Put signup links in your bio, posts, and stories. Run ads that drive traffic to a dedicated product landing page. Give people a reason to share your brand with their friends.
5. You’re not testing everything.
Small changes make a big difference. Clear beats clever. “You’ve Got 15% Off” outperforms “Sign Up” Form placement, button text, timing—it all matters. Test everything.
Email list growth isn’t about getting random people to join your list, it’s about pulling in the right people, the ones who actually want to buy from you.
Give them a reason, make it easy, and keep testing.
That’s how you build a list that drives you email revenue.
Email Inspiration Of The Day
Brand: OSEA Malibu
Notes: This email is nearly perfect. The hero section is clean, aspirational, and does its job flawlessly with a well-placed CTA. The product showcase is strong, with clear imagery and descriptions. The only tweak? Adding urgency or social proof could drive even more conversions. Otherwise, it’s a beautifully executed email.
Loyalty programs aren't about points—they're about making customers feel valued. Keep it simple, create exclusivity, and use data smartly. Treat every customer like a VIP or lose them to someone who will.
— Nathan Schacherer (@nschacherer)
9:00 AM • Mar 9, 2025
Reply to this email if you have any questions or further content you want covered.
Talk soon,
Nathan
PPS » If you run an e-commerce brand above $30k/mo and you want to have a free email strategy consultation with me, book a call here »
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