Let’s face it: growing an email list is a grind. You’ve tried every trick in the book, but your list is still crawling along at a snail’s pace. It’s time to shake things up and leave your competitors in the dust.
Enter webinars – the secret weapon that’s transforming email lists from meh to massive.
In most industries, webinars are still an untapped goldmine. The few businesses savvy enough to use them? They’re watching their email lists explode.
If your competitors are sleeping on webinars, it’s your chance to swoop in and set your list growth on fire. And if they’re already on board? Well, you better jump on this train before it leaves the station.
Here’s the kicker: like all hot marketing tactics, webinars won’t stay this effective forever. But catch this wave at the right moment, and you could be looking at 5x, 10x, or even 100x growth in your email list. Fast.
Ready to dive in? Buckle up – we’re about to turbocharge your email list with the power of webinars. (And if you’re just starting out, don’t forget to check out our article on 7 actionable list building strategies to kickstart your list growth)
What Are Webinars?
If you don’t know what webinars are, here’s a simple definition:
A seminar/workshop held over the internet.
Unlike reading an article, you get to see the tactics/tips in action during a webinar. A webinar is a great way to educate your audience and at the same time grow your email list.
This is how a webinar works:
- You pick a topic that you would like to teach your audience.
- Pick a date and promote your webinar to your audience.
- On the date of your webinar, you go live and teach your audience with a presentation and live screen sharing.
If any of these steps sound daunting, don’t worry! I will guide you through all the steps in this article.
Let’s look at a real-world example to see how the pros do it. SEMRush, a leading SEO and digital marketing platform, is crushing the webinar game. They’re hosting an “Expert Panel: AI and Future of Marketing” webinar that’s generating serious buzz.
Notice how they’ve nailed the essentials:
- A hot topic that’s on every marketer’s mind (AI in marketing)
- A panel of experts to draw in the crowds
- Clear date and time information
- An easy sign-up process that captures those precious email addresses
This is exactly the kind of webinar that can explode your email list. It offers value, addresses current trends, and positions the host as an industry leader. Plus, who wouldn’t want to learn about the future of their industry from a panel of experts?
By the end of this article, you’ll be ready to create your own SEMRush-level webinar and watch your email list grow faster.
1. Find The Right Topic: The Magnetic Pull of Your Webinar
Picture your webinar as a party. The topic? That’s your headliner act. Choose wisely, and you’ll have a line around the block. Choose poorly, and you’ll be left with an empty room and a whole lot of virtual crickets.
But here’s the good news: picking a killer topic isn’t rocket science. In fact, it’s as simple as listening to your audience.
The Golden Rule of Webinar Topics: Give ’em what they want, not what you think they need.
Let’s break it down with some real-world examples:
- Freelancers: They’re not just after more clients. They’re dying to know how to handle that nightmare client who’s been keeping them up at night. A webinar on “Turning Difficult Clients into Your Biggest Fans” would have them scrambling for a spot.
- Internet Marketers (the ones allergic to elbow grease): They want traffic, sure. But they want it yesterday, and without breaking a sweat. “10X Your Traffic with These Lazy-Proof SEO Hacks” would have them signing up faster than you can say “page views.”
- New Parents: They’d sell their soul for a good night’s sleep. “The Exhausted Parent’s Guide to Getting Your Baby to Sleep Through the Night” would have them registering with one hand while rocking the cradle with the other.
See the pattern? These topics scratch where your audience is itching. They address real, pressing wants – not just abstract concepts.
When brainstorming your webinar topic, put yourself in your audience’s shoes. What keeps them up at night? What’s their biggest frustration? What’s that one thing they’d pay good money to solve right now?
Let’s look at a real-world example that nails this concept. Email on Acid, a company that helps businesses perfect their email campaigns, hit the bullseye with their webinar topic.
Their webinar, “How to Write Great Emails with Clarity and Effectiveness,” is a masterclass in giving the audience exactly what they want. Here’s why it works:
- Addresses a Universal Pain Point: Every marketer struggles with crafting emails that actually get read and drive action. This topic promises to solve that problem.
- Clear Value Proposition: The title tells you exactly what you’ll learn – how to write better emails. No guesswork needed.
- Focuses on Results: By emphasizing “clarity and effectiveness,” they’re promising tangible outcomes, not just theory.
- Aligns with Their Expertise: As a company specializing in email optimization, this topic showcases their knowledge while staying relevant to their audience.
- Broad Appeal: This topic isn’t just for their direct customers. It’s valuable for anyone who uses email marketing – which casts a wide net for potential sign-ups.
Email on Acid didn’t choose a topic like “The Technical Aspects of Email Rendering Across Platforms.” Sure, that might be important, but it doesn’t have the same magnetic pull. Instead, they zeroed in on a skill their audience is desperate to improve.
By following Email on Acid’s lead and choosing a topic that directly addresses your audience’s desires and pain points, you’ll be well on your way to webinar success – and a rapidly growing email list.
2. Spread the Word: Leverage Your Blog and Email List
You’ve got a killer webinar topic, but if you don’t shout it from the rooftops, you might as well be talking to an empty room. It’s time to put on your marketing hat and get the word out!
Now, if you’re a webinar newbie, listen up: You can’t rely on the “if you build it, they will come” approach. Unlike the big players who have dedicated webinar pages and a loyal following eagerly awaiting their next online event, you need to make some noise.
Your secret weapons? Your blog and your email list.
Start with a Blog Post:
Think of your blog as your webinar’s personal billboard. Craft a post that gets your readers excited about what’s coming. Here’s what Michael Hyatt, a master of online engagement, does:
Notice how Hyatt keeps it simple yet enticing:
- Compelling title that promises value
- Brief description to whet the appetite
- A prominent call-to-action (that “Register Now” button is hard to miss!)
Remember, you don’t need to spill all the beans in your blog post. Give them just enough to pique their interest and direct them to your registration page for the full scoop.
Tap Into Your Email List:
If you’ve got an email list, even a small one, it’s time to put it to work. Send out an announcement that makes your subscribers feel like they’re getting an exclusive invite to the hottest event in town.
Remember, promoting your webinar isn’t a one-and-done deal. Consider a series of reminders leading up to the big day. Each message should ramp up the excitement and urgency.
By leveraging your blog and email list, you’re not just promoting your webinar – you’re warming up your audience, building anticipation, and setting the stage for a successful event.
3. Harness the Power of Social Media
You might think, “Social media promotion? Duh!” But hear me out – there’s more to it than you might realize.
First off, many folks still skip this step. Don’t be one of them. Your social media followers are eager to hear from you, even if your following is small. A tweet here, a Facebook post there – it all adds up.
But here’s the kicker: posting once isn’t enough. Social networks have notoriously low organic reach. Translation? Most of your followers won’t see a single post.
The solution? Post frequently. We’re talking 3-5 times minimum across your platforms. Start a month before your webinar, ramp up a week prior, and give a final push the day before.
Remember, consistency is key. The more you post, the higher your chances of catching your followers’ eyes – without spending a dime on ads.
So, don’t just post and ghost. Keep that social media drum beating right up until your webinar starts. Your growing email list will thank you.
4. Team Up: Find a Webinar Partner
Ever heard the saying “Two heads are better than one”? Well, in the world of webinars, it couldn’t be more true. Finding a webinar partner can be your secret weapon to supercharge your email list growth. Here’s why:
- Divide and Conquer: Imagine cutting your workload in half while doubling your impact. That’s the magic of a webinar partnership. You handle the slides, they manage the Q&A. Boom! Instant efficiency.
- Double the Expertise, Double the Value: Two industry experts sharing insights? That’s like getting a two-for-one deal on wisdom. Your audience will eat it up!
- Expand Your Reach: Your partner brings their audience, you bring yours. It’s like hosting a party and having your friend invite all their cool connections. Hello, new subscribers!
Make a list of blogs or businesses in your niche that complement (not compete with) your offerings. Reach out and pitch your partnership idea. Don’t get discouraged if you hear a few “no’s” – it only takes one “yes” to make magic happen.
Here’s a nifty trick: Create separate registration pages. You promote your partner’s page to your list, and they do the same for you. It’s a win-win that’ll have both your lists growing faster than you can say “You’re on mute!”
5. Give Your Webinar a Second Life: Record and Repurpose
Don’t let your webinar fade into oblivion once it’s over. Instead, breathe new life into it by recording and repurposing the content. This simple step can transform your one-time event into an evergreen lead magnet, continuously attracting new subscribers.
Think about it: not everyone can attend your live webinar due to time zone differences or scheduling conflicts. By recording your webinar, you’re opening the door to a whole new audience segment. It’s like saying, “Missed the live show? No worries, we’ve got you covered!”
Here’s how you can make the most of your recorded webinar:
- Use it as a lead magnet: Offer the recording in exchange for email signups.
- Create a content upgrade: Break the webinar into bite-sized chunks for easy consumption.
- Promote it on social media: Share snippets to pique interest and drive traffic.
Remember, a recorded webinar can keep generating leads for months after the live event. It’s the gift that keeps on giving!
So, next time you host a webinar, hit that record button. You’re not just saving a webinar; you’re saving potential subscribers and expanding your reach. Now that’s what we call a win-win!
6. Transform Your Webinar into a Content Upgrade
Want to supercharge your email list growth? Enter the content upgrade – your secret weapon for turning casual readers into loyal subscribers.
A content upgrade is like a VIP pass you offer at the end of your blog post. It’s a bonus that takes your content to the next level, giving your audience even more value. The catch? They need to join your email list to get it.
Here’s the key: make your content upgrade irresistibly relevant. Many miss the mark by offering upgrades that don’t quite fit their blog posts. Let’s say you’re writing about landing freelance gigs. A content upgrade like “7 Ways to Snag More Freelance Clients in 7 Days” will be way more enticing than “How to Handle Difficult Clients.” Both are useful, but the first one speaks directly to what your reader wants right now.
Now, how can you turn your webinar into a killer content upgrade? You’ve got two options:
- Offer access to an upcoming live webinar
- Provide a recording of a past webinar
Both can be incredibly effective. Check out this example from Jeff Goins’ blog:
You can also create a webinar archive page, offering recordings in exchange for email addresses. SEMRush nails this approach:
By repurposing your webinars as content upgrades, you’re not just recycling content – you’re creating a powerful tool to grow your email list and provide ongoing value to your audience.
Want to dive deeper into the world of content upgrades? Don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to Content Upgrades. It’s packed with tips and tricks to help you master this list-building technique.
Conclusion
Let’s be real: if you’ve never hosted a webinar before, the idea might make your palms sweat. It’s like public speaking, but with a digital twist. And yes, it can be a bit nerve-wracking at first.
But here’s the thing: each webinar you host will boost your confidence. Before you know it, you’ll be a webinar pro, wondering why you ever hesitated in the first place.
Remember the golden nugget: webinars have the power to double your email list overnight. That’s right, overnight! So, it’s time to push those excuses aside and take the plunge.
So, toss those excuses aside and take the plunge. Your future subscribers are waiting!
Now, over to you:
- Have you hosted a webinar before? How’d it go?
- Planning one soon? Share your topic!
Drop your thoughts below. Let’s turn those webinar jitters into success stories together!
by Ahoy
