The Email Growth Show | Email Marketing Tips for Women Coaches, Course Creators & Online Business Owners

This episode almost stayed tucked away inside a much smaller series. I recorded it as the opening episode of The Black Friday Case Files, a run of interviews I did with other business owners about their real Black Friday sales, wins and flops included. But listening back to it, I realised it didn't belong somewhere only a small group of people would ever hear it. So here it is on the main show. I walk through three real years of my own Black Friday, three completely different strategies, and the honest numbers behind each one, including the year I made the least money and somehow grew my email list more than any other year I've run. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Three different Black Friday approaches I've actually run, not theory Why the year with the worst sales numbers did the most for my list What I'd tell myself if I were starting this year's Black Friday from scratch Links mentioned: Black Friday Made Simple: Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!

In this episode of The Email Growth Show, I'm pulling back the curtain on why I'm launching more often (but for less time), how I'm using these small promotional windows to create injections of revenue, and why Black Friday might be the perfect opportunity to sell something you already have rather than rushing to create something new. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why a launch doesn't have to mean launching something new How I'm using simple three-day launches in my own business Why your audience probably hasn't seen your offer as much as you think they have What I'd send during a simple three-day promotional window Different ways to create urgency without automatically discounting Why Black Friday is a reason to sell, not necessarily a reason to create Because before you create another course, workshop, template or offer... Maybe you just need to sell the thing you've already made. Links mentioned in this episode: 🎧 Join the Black Friday Case Files: https://listen.kyliekelly.com Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!

I ran my first audio pop-up event in years last month, and today I'm giving you the real numbers - including the part that flopped. Back in 2022, these tiny audio pop-ups grew my list by 100–150 people at a time. I brought them back this year as a monthly, low-lift growth engine instead of another giant summit. This episode is the full debrief: what worked, what didn't, and why I'm still calling it a win. What you'll learn in this episode: Why I chose scrappy Voxer-style audio interviews over a big polished summit The real August numbers - 303 signups, 370+ downloads, and just one $97 season pass sale Why a "failed" launch metric doesn't mean the event failed How much the event actually warmed people up for my Break Up With Instagram launch (and what that told me) Exactly how I find new collaborators without cold-pitching strangers Links mentioned: → Join the Black Friday Case Files waitlist (Sept 14–18): https://listen.kyliekelly.com Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!

I thought I was already pretty good at using AI - custom ChatGPT bots, strategic prompts, the whole thing. Then my biz bestie Anita Mac, AI strategist and founder of Biz Bestie Club, showed me what Claude could actually do, and it broke my brain a little. This week Anita joins me to break down the real difference between Claude, Claude Code, and the Chrome extension, why she never lets AI output go out the door without humanising it first, and how she built an entire membership sales page - copy, design and all - in under two hours. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The "human-AI sandwich" - why you should never just copy-paste AI output The real difference between Claude.ai, Claude Code, and the Chrome extension Why Projects are the one Claude feature most people skip (and shouldn't) The small habits that stop your Claude account running out of tokens How Anita built a full sales page - copy, design and all - in under two hours Links Mentioned: 🔗 Anita's Free AI Bestie Setup Gift (use code FRIENDSOFKYLIE for 100% off): http://www.bizbestieclub.com/setup 🔗 Anita's website: http://www.anitamac.com Try WhisperFlow for free: https://wisprflow.ai/r?KYLIE344 Guest Spotlight: Anita Mac About Anita: Anita Mac is an AI strategist and self-confessed tech unicorn who helps business owners connect the pieces of their business - technology, workflows and AI - so everything finally talks to each other. She's the founder of Biz Bestie Club, teaching women how to build their own AI brain and put AI to work in every part of their business. Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!

>> Audience Growth Pop-Up (Aug 24-28, free): listen.kyliekelly.com << In this episode, I'm breaking down why "audience size" and "audience security" are two completely different things - and why the fix for a launch that flopped is almost never a new offer. It's my "doors" framework for building a business with more than one way for the right people to find you. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why "no one wants this" is usually a discovery problem, not an offer problem The difference between audience size and audience security My "doors" analogy for building an ecosystem instead of one giant audience Why one touchpoint was never meant to create one sale on its own Why email is where the relationship continues - not where discovery happens The exact action step: how to audit your doors and build just one more Mentioned in this episode: Audience Growth Pop-Up (Aug 24-28, free): listen.kyliekelly.com Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!

If Instagram feels less reliable than it used to, this episode will show you how to build more front doors into your business - without doing all the things . In this episode, I’m breaking down the visibility options that have absolutely nothing to do with posting another reel or paying for Meta ads… plus the simple two-lane strategy I’d use if I were starting again today. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why visibility and social media are not the same thing The two growth lanes I’d choose: borrowed audiences + evergreen discovery How podcast guesting, summits, bundles and freebie swaps can grow your list Why SEO, Pinterest, PR and podcasting can become compounding business assets How your lead magnet turns visibility into actual email subscribers The three questions to ask before choosing your 90-day growth strategy Why audience quality matters more than chasing a giant subscriber number Mentioned in this episode: Your Next 1,000 Subscribers: https://kyliekelly.com/free 50 a Day mini course: https://50aday.kyliekelly.com/checkout Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!

In this episode, I'm sharing why I think the online business world has trained us to become incredible creators - but not very good marketers. We dive into why constantly building something new feels safer than promoting what you've already created, and the simple mindset shift that's completely changed the way I'm growing my business. If you've got offers gathering digital dust while you're busy dreaming up the next one, this episode is the wake-up call you didn't know you needed. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why creating new offers often feels easier than marketing the ones you already have The real reason we keep chasing "the next big idea" How to know whether a new offer is actually your highest-leverage move Why your best-selling offer probably isn't finished—it's just ready to evolve The simple audience growth strategy I'd focus on if I had to start my business from scratch Mentioned in this episode: Episode 259: Why Audience Growth Solves Almost Every Business Problem 50 a Day: Your Email List Can Grow By 50 People A Day... Without One More Instagram Post >> Black Friday Made Simple [coming soon] Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!

We just passed the halfway point of the year, which means one of two things: you're right on track, or you're staring down a list of January goals you haven't looked at since. This week I'm joined by Katherine Mackenzie-Smith - business coach and strategist for introverts and highly sensitive entrepreneurs, and creator of the Cozy Business framework - to talk about giving yourself permission to build a business that actually fits your energy, and how to plan the rest of the year without burning out trying to catch up. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why copying someone else's business system rarely works long-term, and what to do instead How to actually review the first half of your year before you plan the second Katherine's 90-day "expedition" approach to planning, and why it beats a 12-month plan Checking in with your energy daily so your to-do list stays realistic Why "you don't have to do all of the things - but you still have to do something" might be the most useful permission you give yourself this year Links & Resources: 🔗 Katherine's website: https://katherinemackenziesmith.com 🔗 Podcast: Cozy Business with Katherine (podcast) Guest Spotlight: Katherine Mackenzie-Smith Katherine Mackenzie-Smith is an award-winning business coach and strategist for introverts and highly sensitive souls, and the host of the Cozy Business with Katherine podcast. Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!

Most business problems aren't actually offer problems. They're traffic problems. In this episode, I'm unpacking why audience growth has become my biggest focus, how growing your email list makes every other part of your business easier, and why getting more of the right people into your world should be your number one priority for the rest of the year. If you've been wondering whether you need a new offer, a better launch, or another strategy... this episode might just change the way you think about growth. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why most businesses have a traffic problem - not an offer problem. The mindset shift that completely changed how I'm approaching business growth. How consistent audience growth makes launching, selling, and collaborations easier. Why diversifying your traffic sources matters more than ever. The simple maths behind adding 50 new subscribers a day—and what that could mean for your business. Why your email list is still the most valuable business asset you can own. Mentioned in this episode: 50 A Day – Learn the simple system I'm using to consistently grow my email list by up to 50 new subscribers every day (without relying on going viral). 👉 https://kyliekelly.thrivecart.com/50-a-day/ Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!

👉 50 a Day Mini Course: https://kyliekelly.thrivecart.com/50-a-day 👈 In this episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of my brand-new mini course, 50 a Day . While it teaches you how to consistently grow your email list, the real lesson is much bigger than that. If you're ready to stop building your business on rented land and start creating sustainable growth you actually own, this episode is for you. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The difference between borrowed audiences and an audience you actually own. Why consistency compounds - and how adding just a handful of subscribers each day can completely transform your business. The simple framework behind 50 a Day that combines borrowed audience strategies, evergreen visibility, and irresistible lead magnets. Why simple systems always outperform complicated strategies you never stick with. Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!

Note [added after recording]: Since recording this episode, my Meta Ads account was unexpectedly disabled while under review. The results and numbers shared in this episode were accurate at the time of recording. If anything, the experience reinforced one of the biggest lessons you'll hear in this episode: don't rely on a single traffic source. Diversifying how people discover your business isn't just smart marketing - it's good business. Over the past couple of weeks, I've been running a little experiment that honestly made me question everything - in the best possible way. I launched Meta ads to complete strangers before I'd even finished creating my brand-new digital product. Yep… slightly unhinged, but surprisingly effective. But this episode isn't really about Meta ads. It's about what happened when I put my work in front of people who didn't already know, like and trust me - and why it reminded me that most business owners don't have an offer problem. They have a traffic problem. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why selling to cold traffic triggered a whole new level of imposter syndrome. The surprising numbers from my first Meta ads experiment. Why traffic is often the missing piece behind slow sales. How I'm building a business around systems instead of constant launching. Why diversifying your traffic sources is one of the smartest moves you can make. Mentioned in this episode: 50 a Day mini course: https://kyliekelly.thrivecart.com/50-a-day/ Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!

I recently made a business decision that surprised a lot of people… I moved my entire email list from Kit to Flodesk. But this isn't a "Kit vs Flodesk" episode. It's a conversation about something much bigger: how your business evolves, how your priorities shift, and why the tools that got you here aren't always the tools that will get you there. In this episode, I'm sharing why I made the move, what changed in my business, and the questions every business owner should be asking as they grow. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why I moved from Kit to Flodesk after four years How changing business models changes your software decisions The hidden cost of complexity in your business Why loyalty to tools isn't a strategy The question every business owner should ask regularly: "Does this still fit?" Mentioned: Check out Kit here: CLICK HERE Check out Flodesk here: CLICK HERE * these are both my affiliate links btw. Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!

What happens to your sales emails once your launch is over? If the answer is "absolutely nothing"… you're not alone. In this episode, I'm joined by marketing strategist Dama Jue , who shares how she repurposes her best-performing launch emails into an evergreen sequence that keeps making sales months - and sometimes years - later. We also dive into her genius 4x4 Footer strategy, why she refuses to batch her emails, and how simple automations can create more revenue without creating more work. If you're looking for smarter ways to get more from the emails you're already writing, you're going to love this conversation. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why your launch emails shouldn't disappear after cart close How to create an evergreen sequence from old sales emails The genius behind the 4x4 Footer strategy Why writing emails live can create stronger connection and conversions How conditional content creates a more personalised experience Simple ways to create more sales from emails you've already written Guest Spotlight: Dama Jue Dama Jue is an email marketing strategist, systems nerd, and creator of Lazy Funnels. She helps digital product creators sell more with simple automations, strategic systems, and low-lift funnels that keep working long after launch day. 🎧 Join Dama's email list: https://damajue.com/kylie Links & Resources: 🔗 Opt into Dama's email list here : https://damajue.com/kylie 🔗 Four By For Footer Training (affiliate link) 🔗 Free Airtable training Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!

A mentor I respect recently said something during a live training that genuinely stopped me in my tracks: "If I was starting from scratch in 2026, I wouldn't even bother building an email list." And honestly? I nearly fell off my chair. In this episode, I'm unpacking why that advice might make perfect sense for some business owners... and be incredibly dangerous for others. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why business advice without context can lead you in the wrong direction The real role email plays in a modern online business Why Skool communities and email lists work better together How AI is changing marketing [and what it can't replace] Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!

AI can now connect directly to email platforms like Kit and Flodesk. And while everyone seems to be asking whether AI can write their emails, I think they're missing the much bigger opportunity. In this episode, I'm sharing why I believe the future of AI in business isn't content creation - it's interpretation. We're talking about what happens when AI can analyse your data, spot patterns, surface insights in seconds, and help you understand your audience better than ever before. But we're also diving into the trust and consent conversation that comes with these new tools - and why business owners need to think carefully about how they use AI as this technology continues to evolve. Because while AI is changing how we create content, I think the businesses that thrive over the next decade will be the ones that understand their audience best. What You'll Learn in This Episode: What it means for AI tools like Claude to connect directly to your email platform Why I think most business owners are focusing on the wrong part of the AI conversation How AI helped me uncover surprising insights from my own email marketing The shift from information to interpretation - and why it matters The trust and consent questions every business owner should be asking Why relationships, community, and connection are becoming more valuable in an AI-powered world Key Takeaway The future doesn't belong to the people creating the most content. It belongs to the people who understand their audience the best. Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!

✨ Learn more about the Interactive Offer Intensive: https://kyliekelly.com/ai-offer-intensive ---------- Most lead magnets aren't being consumed - they're being collected. Downloaded. Saved. Added to a folder called "I'll look at this later." And then never opened again. In this episode, I'm sharing why I think we're entering a new era of audience growth - one where information alone is no longer enough. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why traditional lead magnets are becoming harder to stand out with The shift from information to personalisation How I turned an old PDF into Subject Line Studio The difference between passive content and interactive experiences Why quizzes, assessments, calculators, planners, and AI-powered tools are gaining traction How to create a lead magnet people actually use instead of simply download Key Takeaway The value isn't the PDF. The value is the expertise inside the PDF. The PDF is just the container. ✨ Learn more about the Interactive Offer Intensive: https://kyliekelly.com/ai-offer-intensive Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!

Today I'm joined by launch strategist and copywriter Brenna McGowan to talk about a question that's been floating around the online business world lately: Is launching still working in 2026? Fresh off one of her biggest launches ever, Brenna shares what she's seeing work right now, why cookie-cutter launches are falling flat, and how pre-launch strategy can completely transform your results. If you've ever felt like launching is harder than it used to be, this conversation will give you practical strategies and a whole lot of hope. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why launching isn't dead - but lazy launching is The importance of pre-launch content and buyer consideration How trust impacts conversions in today's market Creative launch strategies including private podcasts, auctions, affiliates, and ROI calculators What to do if your last launch didn't go to plan How to use data instead of emotions when evaluating launch results Guest Spotlight: Brenna McGowan Brenna McGowan is a launch strategist and copywriter who helps online business owners create intentional pre-launch strategies that build trust, increase conversions, and make launches feel significantly less stressful. 🔗 Brenna's Launch Report: https://brennamcgowan.co/launch-report/ 🔗 Reducing Launch Stress With An Effective Pre-Launch Strategy with Brenna Mcgowan [Ep 156] Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!

250 episodes. Honestly… that feels a little wild 😭 When I recorded episode one, I had no idea this podcast would become such a huge part of my business - or teach me so much about what it actually takes to build something that lasts. In this milestone episode, I’m reflecting on the biggest lessons I’ve learned after 250 episodes, multiple business pivots, burnout seasons, visibility experiments, and building a six-figure business through relationship-led email marketing. This is a more personal episode. Less “how to” and more “here’s what I know to be true now.” If you’re building a business and wondering whether consistency, email, relationships, or playing the long game actually matters… this one’s for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why consistency is boring… until it becomes your biggest advantage The biggest lesson I’ve learned about relying on social media for business growth How relationships have created more opportunities than reach ever has Why overworking is not the same as building What building 250 podcast episodes taught me about trust and visibility Why building things you actually own matters more than ever Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!

👉 Join Email Marketing Skool for $9 p/m today 👈 Email marketing should not feel this hard 😅 If you know you should be building your email list… but you’re still inconsistent, overthinking every email, relying way too much on social media, or staring at a blank screen wondering what to send… this episode is for you. Today, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at Email Marketing Skool and the AI Email Marketing Treasure Chest - a growing library of practical, interactive tools designed to help you actually do your email marketing instead of just thinking about it. I’m also sharing why I believe so strongly in owned audience growth, how my business generated over $120K through relationship-led email marketing last year , and why now is the best time to jump in at founder pricing. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why email marketing feels harder than it needs to How I’ve built a six-figure revenue stream through email What’s inside the AI Email Marketing Treasure Chest Why implementation > information How Email Marketing Skool helps you grow without relying on social media Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!

In this episode, I’m sharing a very honest story about an absolute parenting disaster [nighttime scooter ride included 😅] and the business lesson it smacked me in the face with: The hard doesn’t disappear. It just changes shape. If business feels heavier than expected right now, this one’s for you. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why entrepreneurship never fully becomes “easy” and why that’s not a bad thing. The difference between avoiding hard and choosing the hard that aligns with your life Why successful business owners aren’t more confident - they’ve just built more resilience How to think about sustainable business growth differently Why hard seasons don’t mean you’re failing... Ready to grow your business without social media or burnout? → Digital Shop: https://shop.kyliekelly.com → Free Resource - Your Next 1000 Subscribers → Free Community - Email Marketing Skool p.s - Loving the show? Hit follow or subscribe so you never miss a new episode. And if you want to support the podcast, sharing it with a biz friend is the best way to spread the love!