Glossary
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Email List Building | The process of growing a database of subscriber emails, typically for marketing, nurturing, and customer acquisition purposes. |
Lead Magnet | A valuable incentive (e.g., discount, freebie, download) offered in exchange for a user’s email address. |
Landing Page | A dedicated standalone web page created to achieve a specific goal, such as collecting email signups or promoting a lead magnet. |
CTR (Click-Through Rate) | The percentage of users who click a link within an email or advertisement. |
Conversion Rate | The percentage of users who complete a desired action such as purchasing, signing up, or downloading a resource. |
Customer.io | A messaging and automation platform used to send targeted, behavior-based emails and nurture user engagement. |
Post-Giveaway Nurture | A strategic follow-up campaign aimed at converting non-winning giveaway participants into engaged customers. |
Cost Per Subscriber (CPS) | The average cost spent to acquire one new email subscriber, calculated from marketing spend and list growth. |
Table of contents
Why Email List Growth Is Foundational (Especially for Startups)
Email is the one channel you own.

Unlike social media, where you rent attention, email gives you direct access to your audience—on your terms, at any time, without gatekeepers.
According to Litmus, email drives $36 for every $1 spent, and for startups like Daycation, it delivers:
✅ Sustainable growth
✅ A pipeline for repeat revenue
✅ An always-on retargeting channel
✅ Protection against rising ad costs
So instead of burning cash on one-off paid campaigns, Daycation focused on building a list of high-intent users who could be nurtured, converted, and retained.
Daycation’s Email Growth Metrics at a Glance
Metric | Result |
---|---|
Campaign Duration | 14 Days |
New Subscribers | 1,264 |
Cost per Subscriber | $1.15 |
Total Ad Spend | $1,215.76 |
Subscribers Who Booked | 25 (within 30 days) |
The Daycation 5-Step Email List Growth Playbook
This wasn’t luck. It was a carefully crafted, replicable system that any brand can adapt.
Let’s unpack each layer.
Step 1: Offer a Lead Magnet People Actually Want
No one gives you their email without a compelling reason.
Instead of a weak “Sign up for updates” button, Daycation offered a luxurious, limited-time giveaway: a chance to win a private cabana day for four at a 5-star Miami hotel.
This offer worked because it was:
- Relevant: It showcased exactly what the platform sells
- High-perceived value: A luxury experience, not just a discount
- Time-sensitive: Encouraged immediate action
Pro Tip: Your lead magnet should reflect your core product value. Don’t just bribe—educate or entice.
10 Lead Magnet Ideas for Startups
Type | Example |
---|---|
Giveaway | Win a $100 product credit |
Discount | 15% off your first order |
Quiz | “Find your perfect style in 60 seconds” |
Waitlist Access | “Be first to try our beta” |
Free Guide | “How to Plan the Perfect Daycation” |
Product Sample | “Claim your first box free” |
Webinar/Event | “Live demo: How to save 2 hours/day” |
VIP Club | “Early access to launches” |
Free Trial | “Try us for 7 days free” |
Bundle Deal | “Unlock a 2-for-1 offer” |
Step 2: Build a Landing Page That Actually Converts
Your lead magnet is only as strong as the page promoting it.
For Daycation, we used 9 key elements to build a landing page optimized for signups:
- Benefit-Driven Headline
→ “Win the Ultimate Pool Day for 4” - Lifestyle Visuals
→ Think rooftop pools, cocktails, and Miami sunshine - Clear CTA
→ “Enter to Win” (not “Submit” or “Sign Up”) - Minimal Form Fields
→ Only email required - Trust Indicators
→ 5-star ratings, press features, or user testimonials - Mobile Optimization
→ 75% of entries came from mobile—don’t sleep on UX - Urgency/Countdown
→ “Giveaway ends in 3 days” boosted daily conversions - Exit-Intent Popups
→ For users about to leave without signing up - Share Hooks
→ “Get bonus entries when you share with friends”
Average landing page conversion rate: 8–15%
Daycation’s conversion rate: 22.3% (above industry benchmark)
Step 3: Promote with Paid + Owned Channels
Even the best landing page fails without traffic.
Here’s how we fueled the engine:
Channel | Strategy |
---|---|
Facebook Ads | Targeted by location, age, travel behavior |
Instagram Ads | Visual-first, story ads + reels |
Homepage Banner | Drove site traffic into the funnel |
Influencer Reposts | Miami-based micro-creators boosted visibility |
Email List Cross-Promo | Existing users invited to share giveaway |
Step 4: Make the First Email Count
Once someone opts in, your job is far from over.
Daycation used Customer.io to send an instant confirmation email that:
✅ Welcomed new subscribers
✅ Reaffirmed the value of Daycation
✅ Set expectations for what’s next
✅ Reinforced brand tone (fun, aspirational, local)
Sample Welcome Email Breakdown:
Element | Example |
---|---|
Subject Line | “Welcome to Daycation—Your Poolside Getaway Awaits” |
Header Image | Miami rooftop pool |
CTA Button | “Explore Available Hotels” |
Copy Snippet | “No overnight stays, no hidden fees. Just sun, spas, and serenity—on your schedule.” |
Add value before asking for anything. First impressions stick.
Suggested Email Series (Post-Signup Flow)
Email # | Timing | Purpose |
---|---|---|
1 | Immediately | Confirm entry + reinforce value |
2 | Day 2 | Share top-rated Daycation locations |
3 | Day 4 | How it works: Booking explained visually |
4 | Day 7 | Reminder to book with a $10 incentive |
5 | Day 10 | Winner announcement + exclusive offer for others |
Step 5: Turn Giveaway Losers into Paying Customers
Once the contest closed, we turned “non-winners” into buyers using a limited-time coupon.
Offer | Result |
---|---|
$10 off first booking | 25 direct conversions in 30 days |
Time-limited (5-day expiry) | Drove urgency without cheapening the brand |
Framed as a “consolation prize”, this felt exclusive and kept the list warm.
Post-Giveaway Content Ideas to Keep the List Engaged:
- “Hidden Hotel Gems in [User’s City]”
- “How to Plan the Perfect Daycation”
- “New Hotels Just Added Near You”
- “Your Referral Code: Give $10, Get $10”
- “Top 5 Most Booked Daycations This Month”
Suggested Tables for Better UX & SEO
Step | Action | Impact |
---|---|---|
1 | Launch high-value giveaway | High-converting lead magnet |
2 | Optimize landing page | Increase conversion rate |
3 | Promote strategically | Low cost per subscriber |
4 | Nurture with email flows | Brand connection begins early |
5 | Drive booking post-giveaway | Monetize list quickly |
Takeaways for Any Brand Trying to Grow Their Email List
✅ Lead with value – Give people a real reason to subscribe.
✅ Make UX seamless – Fewer form fields. Clear CTAs. Strong visuals.
✅ Leverage urgency – Use countdowns, deadlines, and exclusivity.
✅ Don’t ignore mobile – Most opt-ins will happen on phones.
✅ Think beyond the opt-in – The real ROI comes from what happens after they join.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s a good cost per email subscriber?
It varies by industry, but under $2 is solid. Daycation hit $1.15. Anything under $1 is elite.
2. Do giveaways attract low-quality leads?
Only if your offer isn’t relevant. When the prize aligns with your product (like Daycation’s cabana day), you attract buyers, not freeloaders.
3. How long should a giveaway run?
7–14 days is ideal. It creates urgency without fatiguing your audience.
4. Should I use double opt-in?
If quality > quantity, yes. For low-barrier contests, single opt-in with strong backend hygiene (email validation, early engagement) can work.
5. How soon should I email someone after they subscribe?
Immediately. The first email sets the tone, builds trust, and increases engagement by 40%+.
6. What platforms are best for list building and automation?
Klaviyo for ecommerce. Customer.io for app-based brands. ConvertKit and Drip are solid for creators and info brands.
Final Word: The List is the Leverage
Your email list isn’t just a channel. It’s an owned asset that compounds.
When built right, it becomes:
- Your highest-ROI sales channel
- Your most accurate customer feedback loop
- Your retargeting machine, even when ad costs rise
- Your retention engine
So don’t just “build a list.”
Build a system.
That’s what Daycation did—and it paid off fast.
Ready to build your list like this?
At Blossom Ecom, we build lead-to-loyalty systems that don’t just grow your list—they turn it into revenue.
Want the full buildout, from landing page to email flows?
Let’s talk.
Need help implementing this?
Let us take the hassle of managing your email marketing channel off your hands. Book a strategy call with our team today and see how we can scale your revenue, customer retention, and lifetime value with tailored strategies. Click here to get started.
Curious about how your Klaviyo is performing?
We’ll audit your account for free. Discover hidden opportunities to boost your revenue, and find out what you’re doing right and what could be done better. Click here to claim your free Klaviyo audit.
Want to see how we’ve helped brands just like yours scale?
Check out our case studies and see the impact for yourself. Click here to explore.
Read Our Other Blogs

How to Craft Email Newsletters That Build Real Brand Loyalty



Top 3 Best eCommerce Content Management Systems of 2025



Email Marketing vs. Social Media: Which One Should Your Brand Focus On?




Not Sure Where to Start?
Let's find the biggest retention opportunities in your business. Get a free Klaviyo audit or retention consultation.

