🪧 5 Popups That Grow Lists Instantly

Hey, it’s Ray.

Let’s cut to the chase: If you’re serious about growing your list, popups aren’t optional,  they’re essential.

Why? Because no other tool gives you the same level of attention and conversion power, right when someone is most engaged on your site.

In fact, across dozens of brands I’ve worked with, the highest-converting signup source is always a well-timed popup.

Not footer forms.

Not sidebar widgets.

Popups.

The difference? They’re front and center. They’re direct. They get the job done.

The problem isn’t popups, it’s bad popups.

The kind that show up too soon, offer nothing of value, or feel generic.

But when you do them right? They’re list-growth rocket fuel.

Here are the 5 popup types I recommend every brand should test:

1. The Exit-Intent Catcher

Trigger: When someone’s about to leave.

Don’t let them walk away empty-handed.

Offer:

• Free shipping

• A guide or checklist

• A first-purchase perk

This turns “lost traffic” into subscribers who might’ve been gone forever.

2. The Timed Value Drop

Trigger: 30 - 60 seconds into browsing.

By now, they’re interested. 

Give them more reasons to stick around:

• An exclusive discount

• Early access to a collection

• Bonus content tied to the page they’re on

This feels like a natural next step, not an interruption.

3. The Content Upgrade Popup

Trigger: Reader hits 50% of a blog post or guide.

Instead of “join our newsletter,” make the ask relevant:

• “Get the PDF version of this guide”

• “Unlock 3 bonus strategies”

• “Download the full toolkit”

These usually convert because they’re contextual and valuable. 

4. The Product Education Popup

Trigger: On product pages.

Answer hesitations with quick value:

• How-to guide

• Lookbook / styling tips

• Ingredient or material breakdown

Example:  “Not sure if this is right for you? Get our 3-step guide.”

5. The Community Popup

Trigger: Homepage or after browsing 2–3 pages.

Invite shoppers into your brand world:

• Early drops & VIP perks

• Member-only content

• Lifestyle inspiration
  

 Example: 

Your Next Step

If your onsite signup forms aren’t optimized or if they’re underperforming, you’re leaving thousands of subscribers (and dollars) on the table.

Done right, tools like popups, flyouts, and embedded forms are some of the most effective levers you can pull for DTC list growth.

Cheers,
Raymond Chen
Founder & CEO, 11 Agency

More Ways to Level Up Your Email Game

If this sounds like a lot to manage, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

There’s a lot that goes into building a high-converting email strategy. 

If you’re serious about optimizing your email marketing, let’s talk. 

Here’s what we can do:

✅ Done-for-You Email Strategy: If you’re ready to scale but don’t have the time, we’ll build out a full email system that maximizes your revenue. You can book a call with me here. 

✅ Or, if you just want to grab a free resource, get a FREE 10-page KPI audit and a 128-point health scorecard to optimize your email marketing. Get it here!

Extra Tips to Boost Your Email Strategy

If you’re up for boosting your email game, I’ve got a few more gems for you:

📺 Watch My YouTube Tutorial: Create a High-Converting Welcome Sequence in 2025
Ready to turn new subscribers into loyal customers?

In this video, I’ll show you how to build a high-converting welcome sequence that boosts engagement and email deliverability. Using Klaviyo, I’ll guide you step-by-step on optimizing your flows for success. Plus, I’ll share key tips for Shopify brands to drive more sales with email! 👉 Watch it here

📝 5 Email Loyalty Marketing Programs That Drive Repeat Business
Many brands struggle to turn one-time buyers into loyal customers.

We’ve put together 5 proven email loyalty programs that encourage repeat purchases and build long-term relationships with your customers. Want to see the programs that actually work? 👉 Check out the full list here: 5 Email Loyalty Marketing Programs That Drive Repeat Business

💡 Let’s Connect on LinkedIn
I share daily email marketing tips, behind-the-scenes insights, and strategies that actually work. If you’re looking for extra value beyond this newsletter, let’s connect!👉  Follow me here.