Are you throwing lead magnets into the void and hearing nothing but crickets? Here's the game-changing strategy that grew my email list by hundreds daily.

If you're staring at your email subscriber count wondering why it's moving slower than molasses in January, you're not alone. I got a DM this week from a sweet client named Megan that made my heart hurt a little because I've been EXACTLY where she is.

"Joanne, I know we need to build an email list. I keep giving away lead magnets and nobody is biting on them. Yet you're growing your email list by hundreds every single day. Will you tell me your secret sauce?"

Here's the truth, friend: It's not about having a secret sauce. It's about how you present the content.

The Old Playbook Isn't Working (And That's Okay!)

For three whole years, I played by the traditional rules. You know the ones:

• Create a generic PDF freebie
• Slap it on every social platform you can find
• Cross your fingers and hope people will bite
• Nurture them through endless email sequences

My email list grew... sort of. But nowhere near enough to sustain the business model I was building—a model based on selling targeted, low-ticket offers that deliver big results through email marketing.

And here's the kicker: Free lead magnets don't work AND they don't bring in revenue.

So I put on my CEO hat and asked myself the hard question: If my only job is to grow my email list, how can I do it better?

The Customer Journey Game-Changer

Instead of creating one-size-fits-all freebies, my team and I started looking at email list building through the lens of the customer journey. We began tailoring our content three specific ways based on WHERE our people are hanging out and WHY they're there.

Let me break this down for you:

LinkedIn: The Authority Play

On LinkedIn, generic lead magnets go to die. Seriously, they get zero traction.

What DOES work? Posts that show your authority, give massive value, and prove you know what you're talking about. Then I simply end with a soft CTA like: "If this resonates with you, follow me here and consider subscribing to my free newsletter."

Pro tip: I create multiple identical newsletter signup forms but tag them differently on the backend. My LinkedIn subscribers get tagged as "LinkedIn people" so I can send them content that matches their preference for no-fluff, tactical information.

Instagram: The Entertainment and Education Mix

Instagram folks are in a different headspace. They're there for entertainment OR they're in that sweet spot of figuring out which mentors and influencers they want to follow.

So on Instagram, I DO use lead magnets—but strategic ones. Maybe it's a quiz, maybe it's something that leads them to the podcast for deeper learning. These people are in the discovery phase of their customer journey, so I meet them there.

Pinterest: The How-To Haven

Pinterest is our newest playground, and the strategy here is completely different. Pinterest users aren't looking for generic freebies—they want specific solutions.

Think recipe-style content: checklists, step-by-step guides, how-tos. If someone's searching Pinterest, they have a specific problem they want solved RIGHT NOW.

The Real Secret (It's Not What You Think)

Here's what most people get wrong: They take one lead magnet and blast it across every platform without considering why people are on that platform in the first place.

The magic happens when you:

1. Understand your audience's mindset on each platform
2. Tailor your messaging to match that energy
3. Create backend systems to nurture each audience appropriately

I'm not creating 100 different lead magnets. I'm taking one core piece of content and presenting it in the way that speaks to each platform's unique audience.

Your Action Plan (No Overwhelm, I Promise)

Instead of getting frustrated and thinking you need dozens of lead magnets, try this:

Step 1: Identify where your ideal clients are spending their time Step 2: Understand WHY they're on each platform (entertainment, education, problem-solving) Step 3: Take your best-performing content and adapt the PRESENTATION for each platform Step 4: Set up backend tagging so you can send targeted content to each segment

The Bottom Line

Your email list isn't growing because you're not speaking the right language to the right people in the right place.

Stop trying to be everything to everyone everywhere. Start being the perfect solution for the right person on the right platform.

Make this one adjustment—tailoring your lead magnet strategy to match your audience's platform mindset—and I bet you'll see your email list growth triple.

Try it and let me know how it goes! Hit me up on Instagram at @ItsJoanneBolt and tell me which strategy worked best for you.

What platform are you going to tackle first? Drop a comment and let me know!