All In On LinkedIn - But Ignoring Your Email List
Let’s have a real conversation — the kind I’d have with you face-to-face if we were sitting in a workshop together, notebooks open and coffee in hand:
How’s your email list doing? Not the idea of one. Not the one from three years ago with the dusty subscribers. I mean the list that’s supposed to help you grow your business, land new clients, and sell with more ease.
For many entrepreneurs and business owners, the answer is: not great. Some haven’t touched it in months. Others are watching their subscriber count go down, not up. Meanwhile, they’re creating content, showing up consistently, even getting great engagement — but still not converting that attention into leads they actually own.
Now here's the part no one loves to hear, but needs to:
The Risks of Relying Solely on LinkedIn
You don’t own your audience on LinkedIn. If LinkedIn shifted the algorithm tomorrow or removed features (which it has done more than once), would you have a direct way to reach the people who are already interested in what you do? If the answer is no, then we’ve got a gap — and your email list is the bridge.
When You Don’t Grow Your Email List - Opportunities Are Missed
1. You Lose the Ability to Follow Up with Warm Leads:
Someone engages with your post or views your profile — they’re curious. But if there’s no intentional way to move them off-platform and into your ecosystem, that interest fades. It’s not personal, it’s human nature. Attention spans are short.
2. You’re Always Starting from Scratch:
Every launch. Every event. Every offer. You’re rebuilding momentum each time instead of nurturing a warm list of people who already trust you and want to hear from you. That’s a whole lot of energy being spent on chasing instead of converting.
3. You Have Visibility Without Control:
Being seen on LinkedIn is great. Being able to continue the conversation on your own terms is even better. Without a list, you’re borrowing space. With a list, you’re building your own table.
Growing An Email List Is Essential to Your Business Growth
Here Are The Benefits of Building An Email List
1. You Stay Top of Mind, Even When You’re Not Actively Posting:
With a list, you can show up in your subscribers’ inboxes on a schedule that works for you. That’s consistent visibility without being tied to daily content creation.
2. It Builds Long-Term Trust:
When people hear from you regularly in a quiet, personalized space like email, they get to know you. You’re no longer just the expert they saw once on their feed — you’re the go-to voice they trust when they’re ready to invest.
3. It Future-Proofs Your Marketing:
Let’s be honest — we don’t know what LinkedIn will look like in two years. But we do know email isn’t going anywhere. A growing list gives you stability and options.
LinkedIn-Only Ways to Grow Your List Authentically
Strategies to Grow Your Email List from LinkedIn
1. Add an Opt-In to Your LinkedIn Newsletter:
Yes — this very space. End an issue with a “Want to go deeper?” and offer a free, valuable resource behind an email sign-up. When people already trust your voice, they’ll want more from you — give them a natural next step.
2. Make Your Featured Section Work Harder:
Most people use this space to link to their website or a podcast feature. You? Instead, add a bold, visual, lead-generating freebie that solves one key problem your audience has.
3. Reach Out with Generosity (Not a Pitch):
When someone connects or engages meaningfully, be thoughtful. Try: “Hi Jasmine — saw you enjoyed my recent post on [topic]. I’ve got a short resource on that very thing. Would you like the link?” This is permission-based, personal, and often leads to real relationships — and real sign-ups.
When I work with clients, we don't just optimize profiles or write a few posts. We create a LinkedIn presence that aligns with your business goals — one that attracts the right people, grows your list, and supports long-term growth.
So if your current strategy feels like it’s all visibility with little return, you’re not alone. But the fix is easier than you think.
So, back to you. Has this inspired you to take a second look at how you’re using LinkedIn to grow your email list — and therefore your business?
What’s one small step you’ll take this week?
Denise (Dee) Boswell-Buck is a LinkedIn Strategist and Visibility Architect. She helps entrepreneurs and senior leaders stand out on LinkedIn as the go-to in their industry and earn more revenue.