When it comes to building an email list from scratch, many of us seem to think there’s only one way to do it.

Well, it makes sense why many of us seem to think that way.

We assume that’s how we start building an email list from scratch when everyone builds their email list that way.

Yes, it’s true this is what you should do if you want to build an email list.

Even I also build my list this way.

But the good news is there are many ways you can do to build your email list.

In fact, there are three different ways to start building your email list. It doesn’t need to be the ONLY way to build your email list.

The method that you see most authors do is only one of them.

Of course, you still have many factors to consider. But regardless of which method you pick, you need to have these things ready first.

Before you begin

Back then, you could just sign up with any email marketing platform using your standard Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, and Outlook email.

But now, all email marketing platforms such as Mailchimp, Mailerlite, and ConvertKit require you to have a professional email address.

And that means your email has to be from your domain name, with the address has to be yourname@yourwebsitename.com.

Does it mean you need to have a website if you want to use these email marketing platforms?

Well, it’s recommended to have one, of course. But you can always get your website up and running later on if you’re pressed for time.

You already know that you need to have a professional email address.

But to get that, you need a domain name and a hosting plan.

You can get your domain name from Namecheap since it’s where I got my domain name from.

As for the hosting plan, many shared hosting plans come with an email service. And they’re pretty affordable too even if you’re running your business on a shoestring budget.

You can begin by creating email addresses once you already completed the nameserver setup in your domain setting.

I recommend SetraHost since this is the hosting I’m using right now.

Once you have everything ready, you can now begin with your DMARC policy setup.

If you don’t complete it, Google, Yahoo, and MSN will label your emails as spam.

Three ways you can start building an email list from scratch

Now that you already completed the DMARC requirement, you can start building your email list.

So, what do you need to get your readers to join your email list then?

Believe it or not, you don’t need anything fancy to get them to join your email list.

All you need is a landing page with an email signup and you’re pretty much done.

But the issue here is how you can create a landing page. It sure does sound like you will need to have a website no matter how you slice it.

Well, not necessary.

The first two methods don’t require you to have one in place.

But it doesn’t hurt to get it up and running considering that you will eventually need it, anyway.

Method 1: Create a landing page through your email marketing platform

Email marketing platforms these days, save for MailPoet, allow you to create a landing page.

You can customize the landing page however you want, put the link in your front and back matter and you’re pretty much set.

That’s it?

Of course, you will still need to write a welcome email to your new subscribers and create an autoresponder sequence if you want to engage deeper with your new subscribers.

But overall, it doesn’t take you that long to get it up and running.

The downside with this method is that you will need to change the link to the landing page if you’re switching to a different email marketing platform.

As long as you don’t plan to make a switch, then this issue won’t pose much problem for you.

This method works best if you write under multiple pen names and creating a website for each of them is too impractical for you.

But I suggest you get a domain name that sounds like an imprint to consolidate all your pen names under one brand.

It helps with managing multiple email lists more manageable too now that you have everything in one place.

Method 2: The online store approach

This is the method I write about in this blog post where you use your online store to get people to download your free ebook.

The way it works is simple – you set any of your books to free and promote the link to the free ebook on your front matter, back matter, and your social media profiles.

Your readers will then place an order like they normally would for your other paid books and they will receive an email with a link to download the book.

If you integrate your online store with your email marketing platform, it will then add your readers’ email addresses to your email list.

The downside with this method is that you may not receive the consent to send emails to them.

Yes, it’s true they need to provide their email address to download the book. But it doesn’t mean they give you the consent to send emails that contain your latest blog or anything of that nature.

They may allow you to send promotional materials such as your upcoming release or store promotions.

But not so much on the content front, though.

And let’s not forget that you may get banned by Amazon for having a link to your online store in your front and back matter.

From what I understand, you can have a link to your online store in your front and back matter.

But I don’t see anything wrong with being on the cautious side. The last thing you want is for Amazon to ban you over something as simple as this.

This method is the way to go if you have a permafree book and you want to drive an email signup through social media.

Method 3: Your website landing page

This is the method that almost everyone I know, myself included uses to build the email list.

Yes, it will take you some time to get everything up and running especially when you’re creating a website from scratch.

But the best part about this method is that you can promote the link anywhere you think possible including your front and back matter.

Switching to a different email marketing platform?

You only need to reconfigure your email signup form and you’re pretty much set.

If you’re like me who uses Divi to create the landing page, it only takes you minutes to reconfigure the email signup form.

You don’t need to worry about having to change the link in your book since you’re not making any changes to the landing page other than the email signup form.

I will say this is the best way to build your email list since it works for every author, even for those who write under multiple pen names.

And you don’t have to worry about getting under Amazon’s scrutiny either since Amazon does allow a link to your landing page in your front and back matter.

Which one you should pick?

This is a hard question to answer considering that I’m not sure about the circumstances you’re in.

But all I can say is this – spend the time considering the pros and cons of each method based on your situation and pick one of them to get started.

The sooner you start, the sooner you know which one works best for you.

Start building your email list now if you haven’t already.

Your future you will thank you for choosing to build your email list over anything else