Starting an email list with zero subscribers

The 17-Email framework that replaced my client's Record Deal dreams: She'd been chasing labels for 3 years. Showcase after showcase. Meeting after meeting. "Just need that one break." Sound familiar? Then we built her email list. 312 subscribers. That's it. Here's what happened next: Week 1-3: Welcome sequence (3 emails) → Her story, not her stats → Behind the music, not just the music → One clear ask: reply and tell me your favorite lyric Week 4-7: Value drops (4 emails) → Voice notes from the studio → Lyrics before release → Personal stories that inspired each song → Zero sales, just connection Week 8-10: Soft launch (3 emails) → New single announcement to THEM first → Exclusive acoustic version for subscribers → "You heard it here first" energy Week 11-14: The ask (4 emails) → Limited vinyl pre-order → House concert lottery (20 spots) → Handwritten lyrics auction → "Support the next album" campaign Week 15-17: Momentum (3 emails) → Thank you + behind the scenes → What's next (with their input) → Surprise bonus track Results after 4 months: • £3,200 from 312 people • 47% email open rate • 23 superfans who buy everything • Monthly recurring revenue: £800 The label meetings? She stopped going. Because when you have 312 people who actually give a sh*t about your work, you don't need a middleman taking 85%. You need an email list. Direct-to-fan isn't just the future. It's the only sustainable path for artists who want to eat AND create.

If you're starting an email list, don't start a newsletter. (This helped me 3x my email list revenue). Right now, everyone’s saying the same thing: - “Start a newsletter.” - “Write every week.” - “Build your audience with consistency.” But that’s only one way to connect with your audience. And it’s the slowest way to make money. Truth: -> Newsletters can turn into chores. Because they end up being: • Rigid • Structured • A time suck And the real purpose of your list, to nurture leads and drive revenue, gets buried under the pressure to hit publish every week. So instead of starting with a newsletter, I started with a funnel. Here’s what I did: 1. Created a free offer that funneled people into an automated email sequence. 2. Sent 2–3 emails a week focused on storytelling, actionable insight, and selling when it made sense. 3. Ignored the pressure to fit into a newsletter box and just wrote what was relevant, impactful, and human. The results: • 3x higher email revenue • More real conversations with leads • Less pressure, more creativity Think of newsletters like your favorite TV show - each episode follows a theme and structure. That’s great for long-term connection. But if you’re trying to grow your list fast, nurture your leads, and close more deals? You don’t need a show. You need a system. A funnel is that system. It’s how you build relationships and revenue, automatically. So before you start a newsletter, ask yourself: Is this the best way to connect and convert my audience? Or is it just what everyone else is doing? P.S. Eventually, yes, build the newsletter. But start with the funnel. It’s faster, smarter, and actually makes you money while you build.

People are sleeping on YouTube as an email list growth channel... but here’s the truth: in just three weeks of posting on YouTube, I gained more email subscribers than I had in the previous three months. If you’re looking to grow your list with quality, organic leads, here’s how to get started: 1. Optimize Your Video Descriptions - Add a signup link for your newsletter in the description of every video. - Prioritize your most popular videos and work your way down. 💡 Example: A single link in one of my videos led to 152 new subscribers in just 10 days. 2. Use Effective Lead Magnets A simple “Join my newsletter” won’t cut it. Provide something valuable. Here’s what’s working for me and my clients: - Worksheets - Prompts or Scripts - Extended Screenshares For example, a PDF planner I created has already brought in a couple of hundred signups. 3. Focus on Workflow Videos Don’t overthink production quality—showing your process is enough. - Teach viewers how you’re solving problems, using tools, or helping clients. - Pair this with a relevant lead magnet, and you’ll see your email list grow. A couple AI creators I follow are crushing it with basic videos that focus on workflows rather than deep analysis or high-end editing. It works, and it’s manageable. What Tools to Use? Personally, I recommend Kit for your newsletter: - Unlimited landing pages (with paid plans). - Automation options. - Free plan includes 10k subscribers and one landing page—perfect for beginners. Here's the thing... even if you’re starting from scratch on YouTube, this “show your work(flow)” approach is a game-changer. It builds trust, delivers value, and brings in organic, high-quality leads for your email list. Why not give it a try?