Why I Ditched Freebies to Build a Better Email List
Why I Ditched Freebies to Grow My Email List
From the moment we step into the world of online business, the same advice echoes everywhere: "Build your email list as fast as possible. Offer a freebie, create a lead magnet, run a challenge—it’s the only way to grow."
I believed it too. For almost 10 years, I played along, creating opt-ins and free resources like my life depended on it. But after a decade of chasing numbers, I’ve stopped using freebies to grow my email list, and here’s why.
Type-A Moms Don’t Need Another Freebie
Let’s be real: as type-A moms, our lives are already overflowing. Between color-coded calendars, juggling kids’ activities, meal planning, and running a business, who has time to download another PDF only to forget it exists?
We don’t need another checklist that feels like a to-do list in disguise. What we need are strategies that actually work—solutions that cut through the noise, simplify our lives, and help us align our choices with the way we want to feel every day.
Here’s what I realized: freebies weren’t helping me deliver that. When I offered a freebie, I wasn’t necessarily attracting people who were ready to implement meaningful change. I was attracting people looking for quick fixes—or, more often, people who forgot they even downloaded the resource in the first place.
Does this sound familiar?
You download a freebie, but it never makes it past your downloads folder.
You print it out but never have time to look at it again.
You feel a pang of guilt every time you stumble across it, unopened, weeks later.
If that’s how I feel about most freebies, why would I build my business around them?
The Turning Point
Here’s what I noticed after years of building my list with freebies:
Email Crickets
People downloaded the freebie and disappeared. My follow-up emails went unopened, and when I finally shared an offer, the silence was deafening. It was clear they weren’t invested in me—they just wanted that shiny free resource.
Minimal Impact
Freebies are free—which means there’s no skin in the game. I’d see the same patterns: people would download my resource, skim it, and move on. Few people took action or followed through.
"Who Is This?" Vibes
Raise your hand if you’ve ever downloaded a freebie while multitasking, only to find an email in your inbox a week later and think, Who is this? Why am I on this list? It happens all the time, and it’s not how I want my audience to experience my work.
So, I made a bold change: I stopped offering freebies and said goodbye to the weekly newsletter grind.
What I Do Instead
Now, I invite my audience to join my waitlist to be notified when my programs and offers are open. No more cookie-cutter welcome funnels or generic “value-packed” sequences that feel like one-size-fits-all spam.
Instead, I focus on nurturing my audience before they subscribe. Through in-depth blog posts and limited, intentional social media, you can get a sense of who I am and what I stand for.
Here’s what this shift has done for my business:
Higher Engagement. My email list might be smaller now, but it’s full of people who actually want to hear from me.
Better Conversions. When I share an offer, my audience is already primed to say yes because they’ve taken the time to get to know me first.
More Alignment. I no longer feel pressured to crank out content that doesn’t resonate. Instead, I get to show up authentically, sharing when and how it feels right.
New Rules: Nurture Before They Subscribe
We’ve all heard the advice: "Nurture your email list." But for me, nurturing starts before someone even joins my list.
Think of it this way: if someone is going to invite me into their inbox—a space already overflowing with school newsletters, Amazon receipts, and “urgent” work emails—I want it to be intentional. I want them to want me there.
Here’s how I nurture my audience before they subscribe:
Create Free, Ungated Content
Instead of hiding my best insights behind a sign-up wall, I share them openly through blog posts and social media. This gives my audience the chance to engage with my ideas and decide if they align with their needs.
Encourage Actionable Steps
I focus on creating content that helps people take immediate, tangible action—like rethinking how they structure their day or setting boundaries with their time. This builds trust and shows that my advice works.
Invite, Don’t Push
My call to action isn’t “Get this free thing!” It’s, “When you’re ready to take the next step, here’s how I can help.” Whether it’s joining my waitlist or enrolling in a course, I want that decision to feel aligned and empowering.
Why This Works for Type-A Moms
As type-A moms, we live in a constant state of overachievement. We manage businesses, families, and personal goals with military-level precision, yet the endless demands often leave us stretched thin. When it comes to personal growth or business tools, we need things that work—not another time-waster that gets lost in the shuffle.
This strategy works for type-A moms because:
We Value Intentionality.
Everything we do, from the meals we plan to the systems we implement in our businesses, is about being efficient and purposeful. When we choose to subscribe to an email list, it’s because we see clear value—not because we were enticed by a shiny freebie that we’ll never use.
We Hate Clutter—Digital and Otherwise.
Our inboxes are often as packed as our kids’ extracurricular schedules. The last thing we want is another influx of irrelevant emails from someone we don’t remember subscribing to. This approach eliminates the noise and focuses on building a connection that feels meaningful.
We Need Solutions That Save Time, Not Waste It.
Freebies often promise big results but require significant time and effort to implement. When we join a community or email list, we’re looking for actionable, time-saving insights that actually fit into our busy lives. By nurturing your audience first, you’re showing them exactly how your expertise fits their needs before they ever give you their email address.
We Prefer Quality Over Quantity.
Type-A moms don’t care about volume; we care about impact. A handful of truly valuable insights are far more meaningful than a flood of generic freebies and emails. This approach delivers value upfront and respects your audience’s time, making them more likely to engage and trust you when they’re ready to commit.
Take Action: Next Steps to Implement This Strategy For Yourself
Ready to ditch freebies and create a more intentional, engaged email list as a business owner? Here’s how to get started:
01. Audit Your Current Freebies
Take stock of any existing lead magnets or freebies you’re offering. Ask yourself:
Are they genuinely helpful, or are they just flashy downloads?
Are the people who download these freebies converting into engaged subscribers or paying customers?If the answer is “no” to either, it’s time to rethink your strategy.
02. Focus on Ungated Content
Instead of creating another downloadable resource, shift your focus to content that’s freely available. Consider:
Blog Posts: Write in-depth articles addressing the biggest challenges your audience faces.
Social Media Content: Share actionable tips, relatable stories, and quick wins on your preferred platform.
Videos or Audio: If you’re comfortable, create short videos or podcast episodes to connect with your audience on a deeper level.
This approach allows your audience to explore your ideas without the pressure of signing up for something they might not be ready for.
03. Create a Strong Waitlist Option
Instead of offering a freebie, invite people to join your waitlist for upcoming offers or programs. This could look like:
A simple, compelling message on your website: “When you’re ready to take the next step, join the waitlist to hear about my upcoming programs.”
Adding urgency with exclusivity: “My programs fill up fast, so the waitlist is the best way to secure your spot.”
04. Nurture Through Public Content
Commit to nurturing your audience before they ever join your email list. Build trust by showing up consistently with valuable content that speaks to their pain points and goals.
Be Relatable. Share real-life stories about juggling work and family, dealing with overwhelm, or finding time for self-care.
Offer Quick Wins. Provide tips and strategies that are simple to implement and deliver immediate results.
Show Your Expertise. Demonstrate how your approach can make their lives easier, more efficient, or more fulfilling.
05. Shift Your Email Strategy
Once people join your email list, make sure the experience feels intentional and personal:
Send Fewer, More Meaningful Emails. Focus on quality over quantity, sharing insights and updates that truly matter.
Eliminate Funnels That Feel Forced. Let your email subscribers decide when and how they want to engage with your offers.
06. Track and Adjust
As you implement these changes, keep an eye on your metrics:
Are your open and click-through rates improving?
Are your subscribers more engaged when you share new offers?
Are you seeing higher conversions for your programs or products?
Be willing to adjust your approach as you learn what resonates most with your audience.
Conclusion: Freebies Aren’t Necessary In Online Business
Ditching freebies might feel risky at first, but for type-A moms who value intentionality, simplicity, and meaningful solutions, it’s a strategy that makes sense. You don’t need a giant email list to build a thriving, profitable business—you just need the right people on it.
Start small. Focus on creating content that truly resonates, and trust that when your audience is ready, they’ll show up.
When you’re ready to take the next step in your business journey, dive into my blog or join the waitlist for my next offer. Let’s make this work for you—on your terms.
