Where to Find Your Ideal Subscribers (Without Paid Ads or Summits)
If you’ve been trying to grow your email list and feel like you’re stuck, you’re not alone.
A lot of the common advice out there sounds something like this:
"Run Facebook ads!" or "Join a giant bundle or summit!"
And while those strategies can work, they usually require a hefty budget, tons of time, or a large audience you might not have yet — especially if you're building your business part-time.
The good news?
You can absolutely grow a high-quality, highly engaged email list without paid ads or mega-collaborations.
You just need to know where to look (and what to focus on).
In this post, I’ll show you exactly where to find your ideal subscribers — even if you're short on time, new to list building, or juggling this alongside a busy life.
Let’s dive in.
Why Finding the Right Subscribers Matters
When it comes to email list growth, it’s tempting to think that bigger is better.
But here's the real secret: it’s not about the size of your list — it’s about the quality.
A small, targeted email list of 300 people who love your topic and want your help will always outperform a random list of 3,000 people who aren’t really interested.
Your ideal subscribers are people who:
Genuinely care about the topic you teach
Want to learn from you (or buy your digital products)
Are actively looking for help, inspiration, or shortcuts
These are the subscribers who will open your emails, click your links, purchase your products, and even tell their friends about you.
So before we jump into where to find them, remember:
✅ You don’t need everyone — you just need your people.
✅ Focus on attracting the right subscribers, not just more subscribers.
The Top 5 Free Places to Find Your Ideal Subscribers
Ready to find your people without spending a dime on ads or burning yourself out trying to get accepted into huge summits?
Here’s exactly where to start:
1. Niche Facebook Groups
Facebook groups are still one of the most underrated ways to find targeted, engaged people.
Search for active groups around your hobby or expertise — crafting, quilting, baking, gardening, music, writing, whatever you teach.
How to do it right:
Be genuinely helpful. Answer questions, share tips, comment thoughtfully.
Don’t just drop your links — most groups have rules about that.
Instead, build relationships first. When people get curious about you, they’ll check your profile where you can have your freebie or website listed clearly.
You can also DM people when appropriate if they express direct interest.
Pro Tip: Add a pinned post or banner on your personal profile linking to your lead magnet!
2. Pinterest
Pinterest isn’t social media — it’s a visual search engine.
And it’s perfect for hobbyists, creatives, and teachers.
You can create simple pins that link to:
Blog posts that feature your lead magnet
Direct lead magnet landing pages
Free mini-workshops or challenges you’re hosting
Pinterest users are already searching for tutorials, tips, and project ideas. If your content matches what they’re looking for, they’ll happily join your list to learn more.
Pro Tip: Focus on evergreen topics (ex: "5 Easy Crochet Projects for Beginners" + lead magnet = fast list growth)
3. Your Personal Network
Don’t overlook the people you already know!
Friends, family members, colleagues, even old classmates might:
Love your topic themselves
Know someone who would love to learn from you
How to do it naturally:
Send a quick email or DM like:
"Hey! I’m starting a side business teaching [topic]. If you know anyone who might be interested, would you mind forwarding them this free resource I created?"Keep it low-pressure and casual.
You never know who they know!
4. Podcast Guest Appearances
Podcasts — even small ones — are gold mines for finding engaged audiences.
You don’t need to be famous to pitch yourself as a guest!
If you have something helpful to share (like tips, a process, or a success story), hosts will love you.
What to do:
Find smaller shows around your topic (you can even search on Apple Podcasts or Spotify).
Send a short, kind email offering a specific idea you could talk about.
Always mention your freebie during the show (hosts usually allow this).
One podcast appearance can bring you dozens of new, high-quality subscribers!
5. Strategic Mini-Collaborations
You don’t have to wait for a huge bundle or summit to collaborate.
Instead, you can:
Partner with another creator to cross-promote freebies
Swap email list shoutouts
Co-host a mini-free workshop or "challenge week"
Look for other creators at a similar stage as you — you can grow together!
How to Make It Easy for New Subscribers to Say "Yes"
Attracting new subscribers is one part.
Making it easy for them to sign up is the other.
✅ Have a Clear, Simple Lead Magnet:
Solve one small but real problem your ideal audience faces.
Example: "5 Quick and Easy Scrapbooking Layouts You Can Create in an Hour" — not "Everything About Scrapbooking Ever."
✅ Promote It in Key Places:
In your email signature
On your social media profiles
At the end of your blog posts
Inside your free Facebook groups
✅ Make the Signup Process Easy:
Use a short form (first name + email is enough).
Deliver the freebie immediately with a nice welcome email.
Bonus Tips to Grow Steadily Without Burnout
You don’t have to "go viral" to build an amazing list.
Here’s what matters:
Set Tiny Weekly Goals: Aim for 5–10 new subscribers per week.
Be Consistent: Promote your freebie weekly (somewhere — anywhere).
Celebrate Milestones: Your first 100 subscribers, 250 subscribers, 500 subscribers — they ALL matter.
Slow, steady growth beats burning yourself out any day.
Conclusion: You Don’t Need Paid Ads or Big Summits to Build a Great List
You have everything you need to find and attract amazing subscribers — without spending money or waiting to "get picked" for a giant event.
Start by focusing on:
Where your people are already hanging out
Building real connections
Offering something truly valuable and easy to access
Want to go deeper and set up your list growth system the smart way?
Join us inside the HobbyScool Part-Time Passion Club this!
Our monthly, targeted workshops will walk you through exactly how to build a business based on your passion — even with just 5 hours a week.
