Do you want to turn your Instagram followers into email subscribers?

I hope so! Because the truth is that you do not own your audience on Instagram. Meaning that if the platform were to disappear tomorrow, then you would lose the community of people that you have worked so hard to build around your brand. 

However, something that you do own is your email list.

In fact, starting an email list gives you direct access to your customers which makes it such a powerful marketing tool that every business owner needs to have. 

If you are on Instagram and you are not yet using the platform to drive your followers onto your email list, then today is the day that you are going to learn exactly how you can do this.

So let’s kick things up a notch and explore the 3 ways that you can turn your Instagram followers into email subscribers. 

1. Create a lead magnet and promote it to your Instagram followers

A lead magnet is a free download that you can offer your audience in exchange for them ‘opting in’ or subscribing to your email list. 

Most people are not going to simply join your email list because they like you and want to stay up to date with what you are doing. Instead, you need to offer them something that would be of value to them as an incentive to subscribe to your email list.

And that is exactly what your lead magnet should provide – value!

Once you have created a lead magnet, the next step is to jump on over to your Instagram account and promote it! Try talking about your lead magnet in places like your DM’s, stories, reels and posts. To get the word out there that you’ve got something free and of value to share with your audience. 

Remember to make sure that it is as easy as possible for your Instagram followers to opt into the lead magnet and become email subscribers. A great way to do this is by including a link in your Instagram bio, either as a direct link or alternatively through a linktree that has a clear call to action directing people to opt in. 

Having a mobile-friendly opt in page is also essential to its success in turning your Instagram followers into email subscribers, as the platform that your audience is coming from has already been optimised for mobile phone use. So make the signing up process simple to navigate and streamlined for the user.

Clearly display the value that your followers will gain from opting into your lead magnet and becoming email subscribers. 

Still unsure how to get started with your lead magnet? I can help you start building your email marketing database and elevate your online marketing strategy so that you can confidently connect with your audience.

2. Treat your email subscribers like VIPs

And when I say treat them like VIPs, I mean actually treat them like VIPs… don’t just say it and not deliver. 

So to give your email list a VIP experience with your brand, you want to be doing things like:

• Engaging with your email subscribers regularly
• Sharing exclusive content and limited time only deals 
• Even granting them first access to your offers

For those of you that are currently using Instagram as your main content platform BUT now have an email list and are unsure how to deliver on this VIP experience for your email subscribers, then try reshifting your mindset. 

You need to think of your email subscribers first and deliver MORE value to them than you do to your Instagram followers. 

Try creating content for your email list first and then repurpose this into bite-sized pieces of content that can be used on your Instagram page. This is going to save you time in your content creation process and time is one of the most valuable commodities that you have. 

The next thing to do is turn your Instagram followers into email subscribers by regularly talking about your email list in a way that makes people want to opt in and gain access to this VIP experience. 

For example, you could share a BTS style story of you writing an email for your list and give your followers a sneak peek of the content that’s inside. Or you might like to promote the fact that your email list receives exclusive content and first access to your offers. Whatever it is, give your audience a taste of what the VIP experience could mean for them if they become email subscribers. 

3. Promote a free online event to your Instagram followers to boost more conversions to email subscribers

When you have a small audience on Instagram and don’t yet have anything to sell, deciding to host a free online event that requires your Instagram followers to opt in or sign up is a great way to build your email list. 

Normally, we would see businesses run free online events as a part of a digital product launch, for example hosting a webinar and then pitching the product at the end. But we less regularly see business owners utilising this strategy to grow their email list and it’s a really great one.

This free online event doesn’t have to be extensive or something that takes up a lot of your time to prepare and execute. 

In fact, I would encourage you to keep it as simple as possible.

Some ideas that you could use include:

• A live workout
• A challenge
• A Q&A session
• A webinar
• A cooking demonstration
• Some kind of free training

Whatever you choose, it just needs to be something that delivers your audience with a quick win. 

And the idea with this one, similar to the lead magnet I mentioned earlier, is that you are giving your audience something of value for free in exchange for them opting into becoming email subscribers. 

I’d recommend that you promote this free online event to your Instagram followers via conversations in your DM’s, posts, reels, stories, and place a link in your Instagram bio. 

The take home message?

Email marketing is a powerful, long-term, marketing strategy. 

Setting up your email list as a way to provide your audience with a VIP experience with your brand that they can’t get anywhere else is fundamental to its success. 

People are more likely to opt in to your email list if they believe being an email subscriber will benefit them in some way. Creating a lead magnet or hosting a free online event is a great way to turn your Instagram followers into email subscribers, however providing your email list with a VIP experience with your brand is ultimately what is fundamental to it’s long-term success.

Interested in learning more about how email marketing can help you scale your business?

I teach this and so much more in Markerita, where you will learn the exact ingredients you need to build a modern-marketing system that converts your *dream clients* like a breeze and sets your business up for success in a way that feels good to you.

If you are still in the early stages of building your email list, then I’d recommend checking out Flodesk. They are great for small businesses and offer a free 30-day trial that you can use to explore their large range of beautifully designed email templates. You can also use this link to get you 50% off your first year with them!