Whenever entrepreneurs ask me, “I just started my business and I want to use email marketing. But I don’t have a subscriber list yet. How do I get one?”

Here’s what I tell them:

1. You are the expert at something. That’s probably why you started that business of yours.
2. Write a “Top 10 Tips” list about whatever that thing is you’re so good at. Alternatively, you can write a “Top 10 Mistakes” list (fear works great too).
3. Put a newsletter signup form on your website, and tell people they can get that top 10 list if they signup for your list. Promise to give more tips in future issues.

Jenn is a great example of this. Read her story here.

Want more tips? See also: Personalizing welcome emails w/freebies, and 5 practical autoresponder ideas