How to Grow Your Email List with a Free Resource

People don’t join an email list because you ask them to. They join because you offer something they want.

That offer is often called a lead magnet. It’s a free resource people get in exchange for their email address, and it’s one of the most reliable ways to grow your list.

Why your email list matters

Social media is useful, but you don’t own it. A platform can change its rules, and your posts can stop reaching people overnight. Your email list is different. It’s yours, and when you send something, it lands in someone’s inbox.

A free resource turns a passing reader, listener, or follower into someone you can reach again.

What makes a good free resource

The best ones share a few traits:

It solves one small problem. Not everything you know. One useful thing.
It’s quick to use. Something people can read, watch, or do in under 15 minutes.
It matches what you’ll offer later. If you plan to sell a course on public speaking, a free guide on calming nerves before a talk is a natural fit.
The name says what it does. “5 Questions to Ask Before You Pitch a Podcast” beats “My Free Guide.”
Ideas you can offer

For authors and aspiring authors

A sample chapter
A reader discussion guide for book clubs
A checklist, such as “10 Things to Do Before You Query an Agent”

For bloggers and writers

A resource list of the tools, books, or sites you rely on
A template, such as your blog post outline or content calendar
A short email series that teaches one skill over five days

For podcast hosts

A bonus episode
Show notes or a guide that goes deeper on a popular episode
A guest pitch guide for people who want to be on shows like yours

For speakers, teachers, and leaders

A one-page summary of your most-requested talk
A worksheet that walks people through one exercise you teach
A short video lesson

For influencers and advocates

A starter guide for people new to your topic
A list of first steps someone can take this week
A printable they’ll want to keep, such as a checklist or reference sheet
Try a quiz with results by email

A quiz is one of the most engaging free resources you can offer. People like learning about themselves, and they’re happy to share an email to get their results.

Here’s how it works on Huldah:

Build a short survey. Five to eight questions is plenty.
Ask for an email to see the results. People add their email at the end.
Send their answers by email. Include a few next steps you’ve written, such as a helpful post, your free guide, or an invitation to learn more.

Some ideas:

Author: “What’s stopping you from finishing your book?”
Speaker: “What kind of speaker are you?”
Podcast host: “Is your show ready to launch?”
Leader or advocate: “Where are you on your path to speaking up?”

A quiz also teaches you about your audience. Every answer shows you what people struggle with, and that helps you decide what to write, teach, or sell next.

How to make your free resource this week
Pick one problem. Think about the question people ask you most.
Choose a format. Use what’s easiest for you: writing, video, audio, or a quiz.
Make it short. Aim to finish it in a day or two. You can improve it later.
Build a signup page. Say what it is, who it’s for, and what people will get.
Set up your welcome email. This is where you deliver the resource. (See our post on the one email every creator should have running.)
Share it everywhere. Put it in your bio link, at the end of blog posts, in podcast episodes, and on stage.
Setting it up on Huldah

On Huldah, your signup page, survey, welcome email, and email list all live in one place. Your AI guide walks you through building the page, connecting the form, and turning on the email that delivers your resource. You bring the idea and the words.

Not ready for a full platform? Start with a free link page. It includes an email signup, so you can start collecting subscribers today.