Are you struggling to build your email list? Do you feel like you're stuck, not growing your reach? You're not alone.

Email list building is critical for any business, but it's easy to make mistakes that hold you back. In this blog post, I'll cover some common email list building mistakes and how to avoid them.

Mistake #1: Not Doing It

The biggest mistake you can make is not prioritizing list building. If you're not actively trying to expand your reach, you won't have a list. Don't get so caught up in your business that you forget to work on your email list. The key is to make list building a priority and set aside dedicated time each week to work on it.

Mistake #2: Don't Have a Strategy/Plan

If you're doing something towards list building, that's better than doing nothing, but the mistake you're making is not having a strategy or plan around what you're doing. The best thing to do is to systematize your list building. Choose one or two strategies that work for you, and schedule time in your calendar to implement them. You can set a goal to do a certain number of:

• podcasts/guest interviews a month

• social media posts a week

• Summits / bundles / giveaways a year

• Pins per week that drive traffic to your website

The best plan will have multiple angles – some big things and some more organic traffic things.

Mistake #3: You Have a Crappy Lead Magnet

Don't just throw something together and call it a lead magnet. Think about what will give value to the people you want to attract. Make it something they want to get, that adds value and solves a problem, and that is easy to implement. If you’ve got a class or coaching program, consider something from the first module of your program that would benefit your client and solve a problem.

Ideally, your lead magnet should lead to the next problem and have your ideal client say, "Wow, maybe I really do need some more help from this person."

Mistake #4: You Aren't Tracking Your Statistics

How is your lead magnet working for you? You may think it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, but what do your clients think? Are you tracking how many people click on it? If it's not working, have you changed it up? Do you have more than one lead magnet? Test the two of them in different outlets and see which works better. Track your statistics so you can identify areas for improvement and make data-driven decisions.

Mistake #5: Your User Experience Isn't Smooth

You may have a great lead magnet, and people may resonate with it, but when they click on the link to opt-in, they haven't yet opted in. If things aren't smooth, or if they don't like the look of what they see on your opt-in page, they could stop right there. Make sure your tech works, and your opt-in page is inviting and easy to navigate.

The experience should cause the person to feel the way you want them to feel. And don’t forget to test your user experience on different devices and browsers to ensure it works well for everyone.

Mistake #6: You Aren't Connecting When People Do Get on Your Email List

You’re starting to build a list, but don’t make the mistake of ignoring them once they’re there! Make sure you’ve got a system to keep your subscribers engaged and interested in your content. It's a great idea to have a nurture sequence set to go out to people as soon as they sign onto your list. A few emails that introduce them to you, what you do, and identify some typical pain points they might be experiencing and how you can help them.

Then, are you regularly emailing folks? Figure out the sequence that works best for your people. I send out a weekly email and a few additional emails here and there. Some people send out monthly emails, and that works well for them and their list. Whatever you choose, make sure you send something routinely.

Email list building is essential for any business, but it’s easy to make mistakes that hold you back. 

By avoiding these common mistakes and implementing a clear strategy, you can build the email list of your dreams, that grows your business and engages your audience.  So take the time to develop your strategy and make it happen!