Most people create an amazing freebie, promote it once, and then… that’s it.

13. Five Algorithm-Free Ways to Grow Your Email List (No Social Media Required!)

Five algorithm-free ways to promote your freebie and grow your email list.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re growing your first 1,000 subscribers or your next 1,000—wherever you are in your list-building journey, this post will help you quickly grow your list without relying on Instagram.

Why You Need to Prioritize Email List Growth

I want to start this conversation by saying—you do NOT need a massive email list to make sales.

You can absolutely start making great money from a small audience. However, when you want to start scaling your sales—hitting six-figure months, high five-figure months—you need more people in your world.

Why Email is Your Biggest Asset

Your email list is your most valuable asset because:

• You own your list. Unlike Instagram, which could get deactivated (trust me, I know), no one can take your email list away.

• Higher conversion rates. Email converts at 3-5%, while Instagram converts at 0.3-2.6%.

• You control the visibility. Social media relies on an algorithm, but every email you send lands in someone’s inbox. Whether they open it is up to you, but at least you know it got delivered.

Let’s put this into perspective:

• If you have 500 email subscribers and a 3% conversion rate, that’s 15 sales.

• If you have 500 Instagram followers and a 0.3% conversion rate, that’s 1 sale.

Huge difference.

So the big question is—how are you consistently growing your email list?

Most people create an amazing freebie, promote it once, and then… that’s it.

I want to change that today. Here are five algorithm-free ways to grow your email list so you can start bringing in more people, boosting your visibility, and increasing sales.

1. Summits & Bundles (The Strategy That Grew My List from 85 to 2,500 in 3 Months!)

Summits and bundles were a game-changer for me. This strategy took my email list from 85 subscribers to 2,500 in less than three months.

What’s a Summit?

A virtual summit is an online event where multiple industry experts come together to speak on a topic. At the end of your talk, you get to share your freebie with attendees.

What’s a Bundle?

A bundle is when multiple entrepreneurs contribute a freebie, and the host promotes the bundle to their audience. Everyone who signs up gets access to your freebie (and joins your email list).

How to Find Summits & Bundles

• Facebook Groups – Search for collaboration opportunities in business groups.

• Summit-Specific Groups – Check out Bundles of Bundles and Summit Hosts Hangout.

• Email Watchlist – If you get invited to a summit or bundle, follow the host for future opportunities.

• Ultimate Bundles – This platform hosts bundles in multiple industries.

• Lizzy Goddard’s Christmas Party – This is the bundle that helped me grow my email list from 85 to 2000 people.

Pro tip: Some bundles are more effective than others. Research the host’s audience before committing!

2. Podcast Guesting

Getting featured as a guest on podcasts is huge for visibility. Why? Because you instantly borrow trust from the podcast host.

Why Podcasting Works

• 450 million people listen to podcasts (expected to hit 619M by 2026!).

• Engagement is high – 34% of Americans listen to an average of 8.3 episodes per week.

• It’s an evergreen strategy – People can find your episode months or even years later.

How to Get on Podcasts

• Research niche podcasts – Look for shows that your ideal client listens to.

• Join podcast guest groups – Search for opportunities in Facebook Groups like “Podcast Guest Collaboration.”

• Use Podmatch – A paid service that connects hosts with guests.

• Create a Podcast Pitch Guide – Include your bio, talking points, and past features.

Bonus tip: Always mention your freebie on the episode and ask the host to link it in the show notes.

3. Link Swaps

A link swap is a simple but highly effective way to grow your list by leveraging other people’s engaged audiences.

How It Works

Link swaps are a win-win strategy. You partner with someone who serves a similar audience (but isn’t a direct competitor) and promote each other’s freebies in your email newsletters, podcast, social media etc.

• You introduce their freebie to your audience.

• They introduce your freebie to their audience.

This gets your opt-in in front of a warm audience—people who already trust the person recommending you.

How to Find Link Swap Partners

• Look at your business besties. Who do you already connect with on Instagram, in masterminds, or in memberships?

• Tap into networking groups. Facebook groups for business owners often have collaboration threads.

• Cold outreach. If you follow someone in your niche who has a complementary offer, send a friendly DM or email suggesting a swap.

Making Your Link Swap Effective

For best results:

• Choose partners with engaged email lists.

• Make sure your audiences are aligned.

• Write a warm, personal introduction for the freebie you’re sharing.

4. Paid Guest Expert Opportunities

This is one of my favorite strategies because it allows you to grow your list while getting paid.

What Are Paid Guest Expert Opportunities?

This is where you get invited as a guest expert into someone else’s membership, course, or mastermind to run a training or workshop.

Many membership site owners and program hosts are constantly looking for guest experts to bring fresh content to their communities. This is where you come in!

How to Find These Opportunities

• Reach out to your network – Start with people you already know in your industry.

• Facebook Groups – Many communities post calls for guest experts.

• Pitch yourself – Send a message offering to deliver value inside their group.

Why It Works

• You build authority in front of a warm audience.

• You get exposure to an engaged group of buyers.

• You’re invited in as a trusted expert, making it easier to convert leads.

Pro Tip: If you’re not confident with this strategy, start by offering a free guest training, then transition into paid opportunities once you’ve built a reputation.

5. Running Ads to Your Freebie

I know ads can feel intimidating, but they don’t have to be!

Why Ads Work for List Growth

• You can scale quickly – Instead of waiting for organic growth, you can bring in leads immediately.

• Ads let you target your ideal audience instead of relying on an algorithm.

• If your freebie converts well, ads will pay for themselves over time.

How to Start with Ads

• Test your freebie first – Make sure it converts organically before spending money.

• Set a small budget – Start with $5-$10/day.

• Retarget warm audiences – If you already have traffic, run ads to those who’ve engaged with your content before.

Final Thoughts & Your Next Steps

That’s it! Five algorithm-free ways to grow your email list:

1. Summits & Bundles – Get in front of a large, warm audience fast.

2. Podcast Guesting – Build authority and borrow trust from established hosts.

3. Link Swaps – Get in front of other people’s engaged audiences.

4. Paid Guest Expert Opportunities – Get paid while growing your list.

5. Running Ads – Speed up your list growth with a small budget.

Your Homework:

Pick one or two of these strategies and commit to implementing them this week.

Thank you for listening to this episode of Copy to Freedom: The Podcast. Subscribe for more lighthearted, inspirational, and actionable chats about business, marketing, and reclaiming your freedom.

Connect with Erin:

Website: https://erinmorris.co/

Instagram: @LaunchWithErin