An email list is the one place you can reach people again and again without begging an algorithm for attention. If you want to build an email list from scratch, you don’t need a big platform, you need a clear promise, a simple opt-in, and a steady way to get in front of the right people.
Why an email list matters when you’re brand-new
Followers rent you attention. An email list gives you permission.
Early on, many beginners skip list building and send traffic straight to affiliate links. That feels faster, until you realize you can’t follow up, you can’t fix a weak offer, and you lose commissions that would’ve happened on day 3, day 7, or day 21. Building your list early saves time later.
If you’re focused on affiliate income, a list helps you:
- Pre-sell with value before you recommend anything
- Send the right offer to the right person (even with a tiny list)
- Build trust in a way social posts can’t
For affiliate-specific context, here is a solid overview of list building for affiliates: how to build the 2 lists you need for affiliate marketing.
Step 1: Pick one “micro-promise” and validate it fast
To build email list growth that doesn’t stall, start narrow. Your first goal is not “help everyone.” It’s “help a specific person get a specific result.”
A good micro-promise has three parts:
- Who it’s for (beginners, busy parents, new Etsy sellers)
- What they want (first sale, first 1,000 visits, save 5 hours/week)
- How you’ll help (checklist, template, starter plan)
Quick validation ideas (cheap and fast):
- Search your niche on YouTube and read comments, look for repeated questions.
- Scan Reddit and forums for “how do I…” posts, copy the exact wording people use.
- Post a simple poll in one community: “What’s your biggest struggle with X?”
- Message 10 people who fit your audience and ask one question: “What’s the hardest part of X right now?”
If you can’t find a repeating pain, don’t build the lead magnet yet. Switch the angle.
Step 2: Create a lead magnet that fits affiliate marketing (2 examples)
Your lead magnet should do one job: help someone get a small win quickly. Keep it short enough to finish in 10 to 20 minutes.
If you want more inspiration, here are additional lead magnet examples you can adapt.
Lead magnet example 1: “Starter Kit” checklist (best for total beginners)
Positioning: “Stop guessing. Set up the basics in one evening.”
What to include:
- A 1-page checklist with 7 to 12 steps
- Links to free tools (optional)
- A “common mistakes” box (this is where you build trust)
- A simple next step that naturally leads to an affiliate recommendation
Example topic: “Affiliate Blog Starter Checklist (first post, first opt-in, first promo).”
Lead magnet example 2: “Swipe file” templates (best for fast results)
Positioning: “Copy this, paste it, publish today.”
What to include:
- 5 to 10 templates (headlines, outreach, short posts, email scripts)
- A “when to use this” line above each template
- One real example filled out for your niche
Example topic: “10 Outreach Messages That Get Replies (without sounding salesy).”
Step 3: Minimal tech setup checklist (keep it simple)
Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva
You don’t need a full website to start. You need one opt-in page, one thank-you page (optional), and one email automation.
Minimal setup checklist:
- Email service provider (ESP): Kit, LeadsLeap (free account), Brevo, Mailchimp, or Omnisend (choose based on budget and ease).
- Landing page tool: your ESP’s built-in pages, Carrd, WordPress, or a dedicated builder.
- One form: embedded form or pop-up (built-in is fine at the start).
- One automation: “When someone subscribes, send Welcome Email #1.”
- A sending domain (recommended): use a domain you own for better trust as you grow.
If you want a beginner-friendly overview of free landing page options, Kit’s guide is useful: free landing page creator.
Step 4: Landing page copy you can copy and paste today
Your page has one job: explain the benefit, reduce doubt, and ask for the email.
Landing page headline formulas (copy and customize)
Use one of these:
Formula A: “Get [result] in [time] without [pain].”
Example: “Get your first affiliate opt-ins in 7 days without posting on social daily.”
Formula B: “The [simple thing] for [audience] who want [result].”
Example: “The 1-page setup for new affiliates who want subscribers this week.”
Formula C: “Steal my [asset] to [result].”
Example: “Steal my welcome email to turn subscribers into clicks.”
Opt-in CTA button text (copy and paste)
Keep it direct.
CTA options:
- “Send me the checklist”
- “Get the templates”
- “I want the starter kit”
- “Download now”
Add one short trust line under the button: “No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.”
Step 5: Get your first subscribers with zero followers
You don’t need virality. You need repetition and good aim.
Start with places where your audience already hangs out: Facebook groups, Reddit threads, forums, and small creator communities. Be helpful first, then offer the lead magnet when it truly fits.
Simple outreach message (copy and paste)
Send this to creators, community members, or people who asked a question you can solve:
Hi [Name], I saw your post about [problem]. I put together a quick [checklist/templates] that helps with [specific result]. Want me to send it over?
If they say yes, reply with the link to your opt-in page (not an affiliate link).
Community post template (copy and paste)
Post this inside a relevant group (follow rules, don’t spam):
I keep seeing questions about [problem]. I made a free [checklist/templates] that shows my beginner steps for [result]. If you want it, comment “send” and I’ll message you the link.
That one post can get you your first 10 to 30 subscribers if the pain is real and the promise is clear.
Step 6: Welcome email #1 (and what to send next)
Your first email sets expectations and starts trust. Keep it human.
Welcome email #1 template (copy and paste)
Subject: Here’s the [lead magnet name] you asked for
Hi [First name],
Here’s your [lead magnet]: [link]
Quick note so you know what to expect from me: I’ll send a few short emails this week on [topic], with the exact steps I’m using as a beginner-friendly plan.
Question for you: what’s your biggest struggle with [topic] right now?
Talk soon,
[Your name]
A simple first-week plan (3 emails)
Email 2 (Day 2): A quick win tip, plus a mistake to avoid.
Email 3 (Day 4): A short story or example, then recommend one helpful tool (affiliate link is fine if it truly fits).
Email 4 (Day 6): “If you want my full process, here’s what I use,” then link to your best resource page.
Keep promos honest. People can tell when you’re pushing random offers.
Ethical growth and deliverability basics (don’t skip this)
Don’t buy lists, don’t scrape emails, and don’t add people who didn’t ask. That’s how you get spam complaints fast.
As your list grows, protect inbox placement:
- Double opt-in: optional, but helpful for new senders and list quality.
- SPF and DKIM: prove your ESP is allowed to send from your domain.
- DMARC: tells inboxes what to do if something fails authentication.
If you want a plain-language overview, this guide explains what those records do and why they matter: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for deliverability.
LeadsLeap has different methods of ensuring deliverability, so doesn’t need the above – BUT they insist on confirmed optin.
FAQ: building your first email list
How many subscribers do I need to make affiliate sales?
It depends on the offer and trust, not the number. A small list that fits the offer can convert better than a large list that doesn’t care.
Should my lead magnet be a PDF or an email course?
Start with a 1 to 3-page PDF or a template pack. It’s faster to make and easier to finish.
Do I need a website?
No. A single landing page is enough to start. You can add a site later.
How often should I email my list?
For beginners, 1 time per week is fine after the first-week welcome sequence. Stay consistent.
Can I promote affiliate links right away?
Yes, but earn it first. Give a quick win, then recommend tools that match that win.
Your next 3 actions (do these today)
- Choose one micro-promise and write it in one sentence.
- Create a 1-page lead magnet and a basic opt-in page.
- Post once in a targeted community and send 10 helpful outreach messages.
Building a list from zero can feel slow at first, like pushing a shopping cart with a wobbly wheel. Then you fix the wheel, and every step gets easier. Start now, and you’ll be glad you did when your first commissions come from emails you can send on demand.
Best Mailer for Affiliate Marketers
I use several – depending on the affiliate program I’m using.
LeadsLeap is a great page builder and free to join, but the big disadvantage is the subscribers are required to confirm their request for information (double optin) which the owner says gives you a more committed subscriber. The paid (Pro) version allows more features and unlimited subscribers, which is a real bargain. It has fantastic additional features that I wouldn’t be without, particularly the image hosting, the ability to create reviews of your program which will rank highly in search engines, and you will get traffic from the site itself. Highly recommended – open a free LeadsLeap account here to have a look round.
The industry standards, for ‘new affiliate marketers’ are thought to be Aweber and GetResponse. I have accounts with both of these, and they ‘do the job’ (well). My preference is for Aweber, maybe because I have been using it for longer, so I’m more familiar with it. However, it can get expensive more quickly than GetResponse.
I wouldn’t use anything but LeadsLeap, if it weren’t for the double-optin requirement. It’s a bit of a Marmite tool, but I’m definitely in the ‘love it’ campaign. It has features you don’t even know you need until suddenly you do – and there they are in LeadsLeap!
At least take a free account and learn about it here.
