How to Build an Email List for Affiliate Marketing (The Easy Way)

If you want to learn how to build an email list for affiliate marketing…

This post is for you!

Because today, we’ll cover everything you need to know to build an email list as an affiliate marketer.

Furthermore:

We’ll look at some examples, so you have a list building blueprint you can follow.

Ready?

Let’s boogie…

Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on this site are affiliate links. If you click on one and buy something, I may get a commission at no extra cost to you. Go here to read the full disclosure.

How To Build An Email List For Affiliate Marketing
(In 7 Simple Steps)

Step 1: Choose An Email Service Provider

The first thing you need in order to build your list is an email service provider.

An email service provider is software that allows you to send email campaigns to a list of subscribers.

Personally, I use & recommend ConvertKit:

It’s reliable, beginner friendly & comes with powerful features you need for successful email marketing.

ConvertKit also offers a free account, so you can see if they’re a good fit for you.

There are many other email service providers that are awesome too.

And that’s why I’ve put this post together.

That lists the best email service providers for affiliate marketers.

Step 2: Create A Lead Magnet

You need to give people a reason to actually give you their email address.

And you achieve this by offering a lead magnet.

A lead magnet is an irresistible bribe offering a specific chunk of value to a prospect, in exchange for their email address.

Think of a lead magnet as a secret, a shortcut, or tips etc that your audience will find valuable.

A lead magnet can be anything, but you’ll find most lead magnets come in digital format.

Here’s a few examples of different types of lead magnets:

• eBooks
• Reports/PDFs
• Video training
• Checklists
• Cheatsheets
• Coupons
• Webinars
• Templates
• Courses
• Free trials
• Free samples

And here’s a look at real life examples…

This lead magnet is from WPBeginner.

The lead magnet is a WordPress Toolkit:

Here’s another lead magnet.

This one is a free affiliate marketing course from yours truly:

When creating lead magnets, there’s a few components your lead magnet should contain to be as effective as possible…

1: Solves a specific problem. Your lead magnet must solve a specific problem.

2: Quick and easy to consume. Instead of offering a 200 page book, you would offer something that’s a few pages long, so it’s quick and easy to consume.

3: Contains actionable steps. A lead magnet needs to contain steps someone can take immediately to see a result.

4: Relevant to your audience. Your lead magnet needs to be relevant to a problem your audience is facing.

If your lead magnet doesn’t contain these components, it won’t be as effective.

And remember, your lead magnet can be anything.

It just needs to be something your audience will find valuable.

Step 3: Create An Optin Form

An optin form is the form people fill in so they can be added to your email list.

The optin form goes hand-in-hand with the lead magnet.

Here’s an example of an optin form by Backlinko:

The optin form is the highlighted section in the image.

That’s a “form” people fill in so they can be added to Backlinko’s email list.

And the lead magnet is being offered (for free) on the form itself.

Which in this example, is free exclusive traffic tips.

Whatever email service provider you use, they’ll have a feature to allow you to create optin forms.

However:

There will be limitations on customization options.

So instead, you can also use a dedicated optin form builder.

The best ones are OptinMonster & LeadPages.

Step 4: Setup A Thank You Page

A thank you page is the page someone is taken to after they opt in to your email list.

Having a thank you page is not a requirement, but it’s highly recommended.

Most times, people will send their subscribers straight to the lead magnet, or to an affiliate offer. (Which is perfectly fine.)

But having a thank you page creates a better experience for the subscriber.

You can use that page to introduce yourself & build rapport, but more importantly, to also promote affiliate offers.

While at the same time, you email the lead magnet to your subscribers.

Here’s an example of my own thank you page:

When someone opts in for one of my lead magnets, I send them here once they’ve opted in.

I use this page to say thanks, confirm their lead magnet is being emailed to them & to promote an affiliate offer.

If you use a thank you page, always make an offer.

Pro Tip: It’s very common for affiliate’s to have a boring thank you page where no offers are made. You leave money on the table doing this. Always make an offer to your subscribers on your thank you page. Just be sure the offer is relevant & a great offer!

Step 5: Install Your Optin Form On Your Website

When you’ve created an optin form, you then need to install it on your website.

Where on your website you install it is up to you.

But here are 7 different areas to consider:

• Within blog posts
• As an exit intent popup
• In your sidebar
• On your about page
• As a splash page
• On your home page
• In the header or footer of your website
• In a timed popup

Let’s take a look at some real life examples…

The first is from Ryan Robinson.

He has optin forms within many of his blog posts.

Like this:

This optin form has been installed part way through one of his blog posts.

The next one is from OptinMonster.

This optin form is used as an “exit intent popup” where it appears as you leave their website:

And this final example is from King Kong.

This optin form has been installed on their home page:

You can install your optin form in as many different places as you like.

It’s also recommended to do that anyway, so you gain more exposure to your lead magnets & have more chances to grow your email list.

Step 6: Write An Email Sequence

An email sequence is a sequence of emails that are sent automatically when someone joins your list.

These emails are a great way to introduce yourself, provide content, and to promote affiliate products on autopilot.

There are 4 different types of email sequences you can write.

Each type serves a different purpose:

1: Welcome series. A welcome series is a great way to welcome new subscribers onto your list, to introduce yourself, and to let them know how you can help them.

2: Content series. The main goal with a content series is to provide value to your subscribers by sending them content they’ll find useful.

3: Promotion series. A promotion series focuses on the promotion of affiliate products.

4: Combination of the three. This type of series involves “weaving” welcome, content, and promotional emails together within one email sequence.

In my opinion, this type of sequence is the best.

Because you’re welcoming new subscribers, providing value, and promoting products all at the same time.

Never spam your list though.

People won’t buy from you if you’re spammy & desperate.

Step 7: Send Out Broadcast Emails

An email broadcast is a one time, real time email you send to your subscribers.

Email sequences are cool, because you can write emails in advance and then “set it and forget it.”

But there are times when you’ll want (or need) to send an email in real time.

And this is where you’ll send an email broadcast.

Here are 2 scenarios of when you would send an email broadcast:

1: When you have a new product. Perhaps you come into a new affiliate product you’d like to promote. Ideally, you’ll promote it to your email list (in real time) with an email broadcast.

2: Update on current events. Email broadcasts also come in handy to send updates on current events. Such as when new blog posts go live, or you record a new podcast episode etc.

While you should always be making offers when sending broadcasts, be sure to also provide value & build a relationship with your list.

Because at the end of the day, if your subscribers don’t like or trust you, you’ll never make money from that list.

Pro Tip: Consider telling stories within your emails. Share stories about yourself, your past, your goals, your struggles, your family etc. Story telling will help in forming a bond with your list.

Recap Of How To Build An Email List
For Affiliate Marketing

Step 1: Choose an email service provider

Step 2: Create a lead magnet

Step 3: Create an optin form

Step 4: Setup a thank you page

Step 5: Install your optin form on your website

Step 6: Write an email sequence

Step 7: Send out broadcast emails

Conclusion

And there we go.

How to build an email list for affiliate marketing.

Building an email list isn’t that difficult.

All you’re really doing is giving people something for free in exchange for their email address.

Then using email to communicate with those people & to sell them products.

Just remember though:

None of it works if you’re spammy, or if you promote junk.

It only works when you provide awesome content, recommend quality products & treat people with respect.

Now, over to you.

Are you now ready to start building your email list?

Let me know in the comments below.