Growing your email list as a recipe creator is essential for maintaining direct communication with your audience. An email list is an asset you control. Email marketing is still one of the highest engagement channels and allows for personalized content delivery without worrying about the volatility of social media algorithms. Maintaining a healthy email list not only drives traffic to your website but also opens up monetization opportunities through promotions and affiliate marketing.

Reaching an audience that’s already engaged

Nudging your Instagram followers to join your email list is a great strategy for recipe creators because it strengthens bonds with followers and diversifies your communication channels. Instagram followers who opt in to receive your emails are typically more engaged because, well, they already love your content on social media! This can lead to higher quality interactions, and by offering exclusive content, such as first looks at new recipes or discounts on affiliate products, you create a strong incentive for your followers to subscribe, enhancing your overall content reach and engagement.

With some time, dedication, and the right strategies in place, you’ll reap the benefits of an owned channel such as email for years to come. In this guide, we’ll show you some foundational tips for growing your email list, and how Grocers List can be a catalyst for driving that growth.

5 ways to grow your email marketing list

1. Add your ‘Comment-for-Recipe’ keywords

Strategy: Increase comment volume by asking your audience to comment a specific keyword on your next recipe post.

2. Set up your ‘Story Reply’ automations

Strategy: Increase story engagement by asking followers to reply with a specific keyword.

3. Let followers save recipes directly to their emails

Strategy: Allow followers to save recipes directly to their email instead of social media.

4. Optimize your link-in-bio form

Strategy: Provide a direct pathway for your audience to access your content and sign-up forms without leaving their Instagram app.

How to Implement:

1. Use one of the many free link-in-bio tools to offer links to recipes, blog posts, and email sign-ups.

2. Create a visually appealing landing page highlighting the benefits of subscribing.

3. Frequently remind followers to check the link in your bio for new content and exclusive offers. This can be done in your stories or posts.

4. Offer snippets of exclusive recipes on Instagram, directing followers to sign up via the link in bio for full access.

Why It Works:

• Direct Access: Simplifies navigation, making it easy for followers to find and use your sign-up form.

• Leverages Traffic: Capitalizes on the high traffic you’re already getting to your page with a link to click on that’s very noticeable on your profile.

• Enhanced Engagement: Promotes the link through posts, stories, and Highlights, creating multiple touchpoints for followers.

5. Create exclusive content and sign up incentives

Strategy: Offer exclusive content or incentives to encourage email sign-ups.

How to Implement:

1. Create exclusive recipes, cooking tips, or meal plans that are only accessible to email subscribers.

2. Highlight these programs on your Instagram posts and stories.

3. Provide a free recipe book, discount code to affiliate products, or access to a private community for new subscribers, such as your Close Story.

Why It Works:

• Value Addition: Exclusive content adds value to the subscription, making it more enticing.

• Loyalty: Subscribers feel special and valued, fostering loyalty and long-term engagement.

• Authority: Exclusive content positions you as an authority in your recipe niche, increasing trust and credibility.

Get your Instagram followers to cook more of your recipes!

Create your FREE Grocers List Creator account to:

1. Capture emails: Turn recipe tags into sign-ups, building your email list and owning your audience.

2. Boost website traffic: Drive fans back with exclusive recipe emails and branded plugs.

3. Unlock valuable insights: Understand which recipes resonate, inform brand partnerships, and track success.