The 1 Thing You Can Do Every Day to Grow Your Subscription Box (Plus 10 Simple Ways to Do It)

Discover 10 powerful ways to build your email list year-round so you can grow your subscription box, increase launches, and boost recurring revenue.

If you asked me, “Sarah, what’s the one thing I could do every single day in my business that would make the biggest difference?” I wouldn’t tell you to post on Instagram. Or design the perfect logo. Or spend hours sourcing the most unique products to put in your box.

So what would I tell you? Simple. 

Build your list.

Because if you’re not building your email list (and your audience) year-round, the pool of people you have to sell to gets smaller and smaller.

And then what happens?

• You launch - and it falls flat.
• You post - and it feels like nobody’s listening.
• You’re trying to grow - but you’re talking to the same people over and over again.

You need to always be bringing new people into your world. And getting new people on your email list. 

So today, I’m going to give you 10 different ways to build your list.

And no, you don’t need to do all ten. But you do need to choose a few and keep them running in the background consistently.

Because this is how your subscription grows.

Why List-Building Matters (at Every Stage of Subscription Box Growth)

Whether you’re brand new to subscription boxes or you’re a seasoned subscription box owner, your job is the same.

You have to get in front of new people.

I’m in the ninth year of my subscription box, and I still have to focus on list building. It doesn’t stop just because you’ve been around for a while. If you want consistent subscribers, you need consistent new eyes on your business.

Every time you launch a box or introduce a new product, you’re selling to a pool of people.

If you’re not replenishing that pool, it shrinks.

And when it shrinks enough, growth gets harder than it needs to be.

So let’s fix that.

10 Ways to Build Your List This Year 

1. Add a popup to your website

This is one of the easiest list-building tools you can set up, and it works quietly in the background while you’re doing everything else.

If you’re driving traffic to your website every day, why wouldn’t you be capturing emails while people are there?

A popup helps you collect email addresses from visitors who aren’t ready to buy yet. And trust me, a lot of people aren’t ready on their first visit.

They just need a reason to stay connected.

2. Create an opt-in on your website 

An opt-in is simply something helpful your audience can get in exchange for their email address.

You can do this in two main ways:

1. A simple landing page freebie
One focused page, minimal copy, with one goal: get the email.

2. An opt-in tied to a blog post
This is one of my favorite ways to do it, because you can create content that naturally leads into the freebie.

Examples of opt-ins that align with a subscription box:

• A printable that matches the theme of your current box
• A checklist that goes with your box category (like a beach packing list)
• A style guide (like “5 ways to style this month’s tee”)
• A care guide, tips list, or quick-start resource based on what you sell

If they’d love the freebie, they’re more likely to love your box.

Learn more about putting free opt-ins to work for your subscription box business. 

3. Run a giveaway

Giveaways are one of the best ways to build a list when you’re starting from scratch. And they can still work well for established box owners if you run them a few times a year.

One important rule to remember: 

Your giveaway must align with your subscription box.

If you give away something generic (like a big Amazon gift card), you’ll attract people who just want free stuff, not people who want your subscription box.

Put together a prize that will attract your ideal customer. 

Check out this blog post for more on running a successful giveaway. 

4. Promote a lead magnet on social media 

A lead magnet and an opt-in can technically be the same thing.

The difference is how it’s positioned:

• An opt-in is often something extra inside content someone is already consuming (like a blog post).
• A lead magnet is the main attraction. It’s what you’re promoting directly.

This is where ads can work beautifully because you can run them to cold traffic and bring brand-new people into your world.

Lead magnet examples:

• A cheat sheet (packaging, supplies, tools)
• An ebook or quick guide
• A checklist
• A “top 10” resource list aligned with your niche

5. Add an email opt-in at checkout

If someone buys from you once, there’s a good chance they’ll buy again if you stay in touch.

That’s why you want an email opt-in checkbox at checkout so customers can choose to receive marketing emails.

This is an easy way to grow your list daily, especially if you’re making consistent sales.

6. Create a fun quiz

Quizzes work because they’re fun, shareable, and curiosity-driven. But they have to align with your ideal customer.

For example:

• “What style are you?”
• “What’s your [niche] personality?”
• “Which [theme] fits you best?”

Then, to get the results they enter their email.

Quizzes are simple, effective, and very shareable.

7. Offer a discount or a free gift

Discounts aren’t my favorite because discounts can train customers to wait for a deal.

I prefer a free gift. It feels more fun and more generous. Free gifts can also help you move excess inventory without cutting your price.

You can offer:

• A free gift for joining the list
• A free gift with purchase
• A limited-time bonus item

8. Host a workshop, challenge, or event

This is one of the fastest ways to get a large number of people onto your list.

It can be:

• Free
• Low-dollar
• A short challenge
• A live workshop
• A bootcamp or mini-series

Just make sure your checkout or registration includes clear wording that they’re joining your email list when they sign up.

And if your event is connected to what’s inside your box, you’re bringing in exactly the right people.

9. Tease sneak peeks or behind-the-scenes with an opt-in

People love exclusivity. Use that. 

• Blur or pixelate a sneak peek image and require an email to see the full version
• Offer a “watch me pack boxes” behind-the-scenes video in exchange for an email
• Share early access previews for subscribers on your list

This works because it creates curiosity and makes people feel like insiders.

10. Get in front of new audiences through collaboration

If you want to grow your list, you have to get in front of more people. Getting in front of someone else’s audience - someone whose audience shares a lot in common with your ideal customer - is a great way to do just that. 

Collaboration ideas:

• Joint giveaways with complementary brands
• Partnering with businesses that share your ideal customer
• Guest teaching or being featured in someone else’s community
• Podcast guesting (with a free opt-in to share)

The biggest tip here is to make it a win-win.

Look for partners with a similar audience size so it feels mutually beneficial.

And when you show up, show up to serve. Not to sell. Serving builds trust fast.

When you build your list year-round, you don’t have to panic at launch time. You don’t have to rely on a single big moment. You’ll always have new people discovering you, joining your world, and getting ready to become subscribers.

Your subscription grows when your audience grows. 

So choose your starting point and go get some work done.

Don’t overcomplicate this. Simply pick one list-building strategy and implement it this week.

And for so much more on starting, launching, and growing a subscription box, join us inside Launch Your Box.