16 Lead Generation Tools That Help Grow Your Email List

There’s a strategic tool that could be the key to multiplying your email list, but are you using it? From an MD to a founder, learn the specific tools these professionals swear by. It kicks off with a recommendation to use HubSpot’s Lead-Capture Forms and wraps up with insights on targeting specific demographics with Meta Ads. You won’t want to miss the sixteen cutting-edge tactics shared by our experts.

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Use HubSpot’s Lead-Capture Forms

We’ve seen the best results using HubSpot’s lead-capture forms to grow our email list. The platform’s customizable forms and pop-ups let us segment leads based on their behavior and interests, making our follow-ups more relevant. By linking it with our CRM, we automated email sequences that effectively nurtured new leads. 

As a result, we experienced a 30% increase in conversions within six months. HubSpot’s user-friendly interface and built-in analytics made it easy to see which strategies drove the most growth, helping us continuously fine-tune our approach.

Shane McEvoy, MD, Flycast Media

Utilize OptinMonster’s Exit-Intent Popups

OptinMonster has been incredibly effective for growing my email list due to its exit-intent popups and targeted lead forms. I’ve used it to create custom pop-ups for my blog and website, offering free SEO resources in exchange for email sign-ups.

One key reason it worked so well is the ability to segment audiences based on their behavior. For example, when someone shows interest in SEO content, I trigger an offer related to my newsletter. This personalization has significantly increased conversions, helping me grow my list to 7,000+ engaged subscribers.

Connor Gillivan, Entrepreneur, Owner & CMO, AccountsBalance

Launch Interactive Quizzes and Referral Programs

A lead generation tool that has significantly boosted our email list is a combination of interactive content and a referral program. We launched a quiz titled “Which Eco-Friendly Product Suits Your Lifestyle?” that not only engaged users, but also required an email address for results. This approach made our audience feel invested and curious, resulting in a 40% increase in sign-ups. In addition, we integrated a referral system where existing subscribers could invite friends to take the quiz, earning rewards for both the referrer and the new subscriber. 

This dual strategy created a sense of community around our brand and encouraged organic growth. By analyzing the data collected from the quiz, we tailored our content and product offerings to meet the interests of our audience, enhancing engagement. Overall, this interactive and rewarding approach has helped us grow our email list significantly while reinforcing our commitment to sustainability, allowing us to connect more deeply with our community and promote eco-friendly living effectively.

Swayam Doshi, Founder, Suspire

A/B Test Pop-Ups with Klaviyo

We find A/B testing pop-ups within Klaviyo has helped grow our clients’ email lists drastically. A good pop-up is like a good email—it should only show to users based on a set of conditions that are most relevant to them. For example, a pop-up that gathers an email based on the products/content that a user is most active with on your site. 

I’ve found that the key to successful email capture with Klaviyo pop-ups is a combination of timing, relevance, and design. Experiment with different approaches to find what resonates most with your audience. Remember, a well-crafted pop-up can be a powerful tool for growing your email list and driving conversions.

Erin Siemek, CEO, Forge Digital Marketing, LLC

Leverage LinkedIn Sales Navigator

LinkedIn Sales Navigator has been invaluable for growing our email list. It’s allowed me to connect with high-net-worth individuals who are interested in luxury properties on the island. I’ve personally added over 1,000 qualified leads to our list in the past 6 months using this tool, which has resulted in several multi-million-dollar sales.

Dino DiNenna, Real Estate Broker, Hilton Head Realty Sales

Implement Exit-Intent Pop-Ups

We tested an exit-intent pop-up on several websites. It’s simple, but it works. When people are about to leave the site, a pop-up offers them something valuable in exchange for their email. It could be a free guide or a special offer, but it has to be relevant to them.

I’ve tried a few different tools, but the pop-up has been the most effective by far. It doesn’t interrupt their experience too early and only appears when they’re on the verge of leaving. This way, I’m not annoying them, but still grabbing their attention at the right moment.

A big part of why it works is because people feel like they’re getting something useful. It’s not just, “Sign up for updates,” but something they actually want. So, the offer in the pop-up has to be specific and attractive. It needs to solve a problem or provide something they find valuable.

I suggest trying exit-intent pop-ups. They’re easy to set up and can really make a difference. Focus on offering something your audience can’t resist, and you’ll see your email list grow quickly.

Jared Stern, Managing Member, Uplift Legal Funding

Deploy ConvertKit Pop-Up Windows

The lead-generation tool that has worked best for me is a pop-up window on my website. When people go to exit, it shows up and delivers a message that entices visitors to enter their email address. This was built with ConvertKit, for free, and continues to drive leads for my web course into my list.

Jeffrey Calderon, President, Permits In No Time Inc.

Combine YouTube and SEO with Opt-In Guides

We’ve found that our most effective lead-generation tools for growing our email list have been YouTube and organic search engine optimization (SEO). These platforms have consistently driven high-quality traffic to our website, resulting in significant list growth. However, the real magic happens when we combine this traffic with strategically crafted “opt-in guides.” 

These opt-in guides are essentially free, valuable resources we offer to our visitors in exchange for their email addresses. For example, we have created a “Free Supercharge Guide” that has captured thousands of emails. When viewers find our YouTube videos or our website through Google searches, they’re presented with an opportunity to download these opt-in guides, which directly address their immediate needs or interests. 

By leveraging YouTube and SEO in conjunction with these opt-in guides, we’re able to capture and convert a much higher percentage of our traffic into email subscribers. This approach allows us to build a direct relationship with our audience, rather than relying solely on the ever-changing algorithms of social media platforms or search engines. It’s a strategy that has proven far more effective for us than paid advertising or other lead-generation tools, as it targets users who are actively seeking the type of information we provide.

Ryan Doser, Contributing Tech Author, TROYPOINT

Offer Free Tutorials and Guides

I’ve found that creating helpful content and promoting it on social media has been key to growing our email list. Specifically, offering free guides, templates, and tools on topics our target customers care about, like website optimization or lead generation, has converted many readers into subscribers.

For example, when we published an SEO checklist with actionable steps readers could take to improve their search rankings, we gained over 1,000 new email subscribers in a month. The simple but useful resource resonated so well with our audience that many were eager to receive more helpful tips and insights by subscribing.

We’ve also had success promoting our most popular content on social platforms where our potential clients spend time, like LinkedIn groups and Facebook communities for small business owners. Engaging with readers by answering their questions and participating in discussions about the post leads even more to join our email list.

Providing genuinely useful tools and information that solve the real problems your target customers face is the key to capturing their interest and building a quality email list. Reach them where they already are online, spark a valuable conversation, and they’ll keep coming back for more.

Jay Owen, CEO, Business Builders

Build Lists Through Social Media Ads

After years of finding what works for our agency and clients, I’d have to say list-building through social media has been the biggest tool for lead generation. Platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn allow us to create custom audiences of our target customers and run ads, driving people to subscribe to our email lists.

For example, one client was struggling to gain signups to their email list and product demos. We created several video ads for their key services and targeted business owners and executives in their industry. The ads were a huge success, driving a 9x ROI and over 10,000 new subscribers in the first month.

We’ve also found success using live webinars and events to capture leads. During the event, we promote our email list and content upgrades to capture attendees’ information. One major product launch webinar generated over 2,000 subscribers from a single 60-minute session. The key is creating valuable content and a clear call-to-action to join your email list.

While technology has made it easier to capture leads, personal outreach and networking are still highly effective. Simply starting genuine conversations with people, learning about their challenges, and sharing how you might be able to help them has led to adding many great leads and clients to our agency.

Doug Steinberg, Founder & President, Magnetik

Create High-Converting Pages with Leadpages

One of the most effective lead-generation tools I’ve used to grow my email list is Leadpages. It allows me to create high-converting landing pages without needing a ton of tech skills. What really makes it stand out is the ability to customize opt-in forms and pop-ups that directly integrate with email marketing services like Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign. I have found that offering a strong lead magnet, like a free eBook or a business audit through these opt-in pages, consistently drives growth. The tool’s analytics also help me track what is working so I can tweak and improve as needed.

Ronald Osborne, Founder, Ronald Osborne Business Coach

Leverage Zillow with Strong Follow-Up

I’ll probably get crucified for this, but actually, Zillow with a minimal spend. However, your follow-up game has to be on point. It also helps that I have a great sales rep there that helps. Besides that, it’s all referral-based on my network.

Antonio Picillo III, REALTOR/BROKER, Century 21 Bradley

Use Apollo.io for Targeted Outreach

The lead-generation tool that has helped grow our email list the most is Apollo.io. It offers a massive database of key decision-makers, allowing us to filter by industry, role, and company size to find the right prospects. Apollo’s integration with other tools, like our CRM (HubSpot) and email marketing platform (Instantly.ai), has streamlined the process, making it easy to build and segment targeted lists. 

Additionally, its email verification feature ensures we’re only reaching valid addresses, which has drastically improved our deliverability rates, leading to improved open rates and meetings booked. With these capabilities, Apollo has been instrumental in scaling our email outreach efficiently!

Will Ross, Owner, Upper Hand Marketing

Capture Emails and SMS with Attentive

One lead-generation tool that has significantly helped grow our email list is Attentive’s website popup for email and SMS capture. This tool has not only streamlined our approach but also transformed how we connect with potential guests, driving engagement and long-term loyalty.

Here’s how it works: Attentive’s tool is designed to capture attention right when visitors land on our website. Its smart targeting displays a personalized popup to users at optimal moments, encouraging them to subscribe to both email and SMS notifications. By offering an incentive—such as a discount or exclusive early access to promotions—we’ve seen an impressive boost in conversion rates.

Since implementing this tool, we’ve experienced a noticeable 25% increase in email signups. This is largely due to the dual-channel strategy of capturing both email and SMS details, ensuring we maintain contact with subscribers in the way they prefer. Additionally, our SMS list has grown by 100%, which has proven to be an invaluable channel for time-sensitive campaigns and flash sales, driving immediate traffic and conversions.

The key is to make the experience feel seamless for users. We’ve focused on keeping the design of our popup simple yet engaging, using clear language and making sure the incentive is valuable enough to compel action. Attentive also allows for user-journey segmentation, so we can tailor messaging to different audience segments based on actions they are taking and/or not taking on the site.

By using a dual-channel approach with both email and SMS, you can diversify your touchpoints and increase your chances of reaching and converting leads. The combination of capturing more data in one interaction and utilizing that data for personalized follow-up has been a game-changer for our email marketing efforts.

If you’re looking to grow your email list, I highly recommend exploring tools that allow you to leverage both email and SMS. Attentive’s platform is a great example of how you can use smart popups to create meaningful, lasting connections with your audience.

Trevor Mata, Brand Marketing Manager, Six Flags Entertainment Corporation

Target Specific Demographics with Meta Ads

Meta ads have been a game-changer for growing the leads for an experimental product I am working on. By targeting specific demographics and interests on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, I’ve been able to reach a narrow and niche list of potential customers who are more likely to be interested in my products or services. The detailed targeting options and performance-tracking features have allowed me to optimize my campaigns and generate a steady stream of leads. 

I’ve seen better quantity while using instant forms, but better quality when I add friction in via web form fill, though the cost tends to balloon up in these instances. I would say the marketing pro support and technical support—especially with the new bugs that keep popping up at the platform level—can be improved upon.

Pritesh Patil, Senior Marketing Manager

Mix Purchased Lists and Local Outreach

The lead-generation tool that has currently helped us grow our email list the most would be a mixture of purchased lists and local outreach. We have utilized purchased lists for direct mail campaigns that then turn into automation campaigns, and we are seeing great results. 

We also are working with our communities to create local outreach to referrals and other healthcare professionals, which is huge in localized rural communities. These referrals assist in sending over leads and create a successful symbiotic relationship. 

We also use an Assessment Tool on our website that feeds into our marketing and sales funnels. These have been instrumental in capturing website visitors and traffic, which then turns them into leads.

Madison Allen, Marketing & Communications Manager, Sinceri Senior Living

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