You've started your online business. Things are going well. You know you need to have an email list to make your business grow, but every time you hear someone mention it you think... What do I even write about?  How do I get someone to sign up for my list?  What makes someone decide to learn more? That's all part of your email marketing strategy. The cycle of email marketing runs in a circular pattern: Outsider >> Acquaintance >> Ally >> Insider How do you do that? When someone considers subscribing to your email list, they are considering if they would want you at their dinner party... 1.  Offer them something to initiate that first, critical interaction.     So what is that?  It's called an opt-in, a lead magnet, a giveaway, etc.  We'll call it a lead magnet.   Your lead magnet helps your potential client/customer: Succeed at a new skill. Make a purchase. Get started on a first step. Learn some secret information. Save them time. Eliminates extra steps. 2.  Before you create a lot of extra work, consider the following: What does my customer want? What is the best method to connect with my customer? What do I already have to offer? What do I offer exceptionally well? What is the first thing my customer needs to know? 3. I've created a guide for you with 20 ideas for a quality lead magnet.  You can find that here.    Just like your closet or your pantry, when you focus on your email list remember, "Quality beats Quantity.  Every time." This is section one of the email marketing guide.  Next time we'll talk about how to make your first automated email sequence.