25 THINGS TO SAY TO GET PEOPLE ON YOUR EMAIL LIST

It's not clickbait if I deliver on what the subject line says

I cry when I see a social media post like this:

This might be the only post a fan sees this week. Or month.

And even so, then what?

We can’t stop at just reaching our fans on social media, oh no.

We have to help our fans escape. To unplug from the system.

It’s not easy, though, like Morpheus says in The Matrix:

“You have to understand, most of these people are not ready to be unplugged. And many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system, that they will fight to protect it.”

We are at war, and our mission is to reach our fans without appeasing algorithms, making dance videos, or hopping from one new social media platform to the next. No.

So, the next time you’re thinking about posting something to get your fans talking, figure out a way to get those fans subscribed.

Once they are subscribed, you have a direct line of communication with them.

First, set up a landing page. This is where people go when you ask them to sign up for your email list.

🚫 Don’t ask people to DM you their email address
🚫 Don’t ask them to email you, and you’ll add them to your list later

Set up a landing page. Trust me on this.

Using Mailchimp? Read up here, here, and here.

Using Substack? Read here.

Using Squarespace? Read here and here.

Still no clue? Get in touch.

Once you have that sorted, make a social media post like this:

Once you’re ready to release your magic to the world, you send it to your email list first, and skip the rigged game of attention roulette that you play when you post on social media.

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Oh yeah, here are 25 things you can post to get people to click the link to your shiny new landing page:

1. New track is done, who wants to hear a snippet?

2. New product coming to the shop next week - get on my email list and I’ll send YOU the link first!

3. I’m writing a new piece on something near and dear to my heart - subscribe to my email list and I’ll send you my hand-written notes.

4. Working on a new photo project with a friend, and it involves a ladder and 30 gallons of red paint. Get on my email list for a sneak peek.

5. Shooting a music video next week. Want to see all the behind the scenes photos and silliness? Click to get on our email list.

6. Someone stole my guitar two months ago at a gig. Want to know how I recovered it? Sign up for my email list.

7. We’ve got like 20 ideas for the name of our next album. Help us narrow it down.

8. My writing isn’t just about opening the laptop and tapping on the keyboard for several hours. Let me show you my writing space, and how I maintain my creativity.

9. Love nu-metal? Our drummer has a shrine to nu-metal, complete with sealed vinyl, signed posters, and, well… get on our email list to see it!

10. I visited some creative friends this past weekend, and we had such an ah-hah moment, that we nearly cried. I’ll tell you all about it in my next newsletter.

11. We hit 23 cities on our last tour. 17 diners. 12 truck stops. 10 motels. And five… well, subscribe to our newsletter. Next week we’re gonna send out a big tour wrap up.

12. Thanks for all the love and support! Next week I’m hosting a Zoom call with you, my amazing fans. Get on the email list and I’ll send you the details.

13. Next week will be the two year anniversary of the release of my first book. Sign up for my newsletter because next week I’m sharing everything I’ve learned about releasing a book in those two years.

14. Over the last four years of running my podcast, I’ve asked every guest their biggest piece of advice for anyone just getting started, and I’m sharing my favorite bits in my newsletter next week.

15. I was 17 when I played my first show, and I told the sound man “fuck you” on the mic. Yeah, don’t ever do that. I’ll explain in my next newsletter what he told me after the show.

16. I’ve got over 200 effects pedals, and every week in my newsletter I talk about one with a quick video.

17. I found a store that sells horror movies on VHS, and I’m in love. Full story in my newsletter next week.

18. Did you know I broke two bass drum pedals on my first tour? It’s true. Sign up for my email list and I’ll explain how to not break all your gear when you’re on the road.

19. I’m halfway down with my new book, and want to celebrate the milestone with a rough draft reading. Get on my email list and I’ll send you an audio snippet.

20. The theme of my radio show this week was sad songs, and I had a hard time limiting it to one hour, so next week’s newsletter will have the songs I left off the show.

21. My favorite poet just celebrated their 60th birthday! Subscribe to my newsletter because I’ll be talking about my favorite pieces from them over the years.

22. Summer is coming up and that means SUMMER TOUR SEASON. In my next newsletter I’m sharing the story about the time I got left at a truck stop (without my phone).

23. When I was a kid I worked this summer job and made friends with this older kid who played in bands, and he gave me a worn out copy of Slayer’s ‘Hell Awaits.’ Ten years later I ran into him and you won’t believe what band he’s in.

24. I’m visiting my favorite record shop next week when I visit NYC. Make sure you’re on my email list, because I’m planning on spending lots of money there, and I want to tell you all about it.

25. I make sleepy time metal mixes every week. For some people it puts them to sleep, others say they’re great for working or studying. Subscribe and listen for yourself!

Use these as inspiration, or copy and paste them as you see fit. These ideas are your now.

Other ways to support Social Media Escape Club:

• Become a paid subscriber and get early access to my subscriber video chats

• Buy me a coffee via Ko-Fi, Venmo (@sethwxyz), Cash App ($ethwerkheiser), or PayPal