🛑 Why You Should Never Buy a List

Hey, it’s Ray.

Let’s get one thing straight:

If you’re still thinking about buying an email list, don’t.

Not even a “targeted” one. 

Not even if it’s “clean.” 

Not even if it’s “opted-in.”

I’ve been doing this for over a decade, and I’ve seen what happens… every time.

It’s never worth it.

That’s the very reason why top email marketing software like Klaviyo and Mailchimp never recommend it.

And even people in forums online are not suggesting it.

Let me tell you a quick story…

🚨 The $5,000 Mistake: I Pray You Shouldn’t Make

Years ago, a client came to us excited.

They had just “invested” in a 10,000-contact list.

Supposedly, ecommerce buyers.

Supposedly opted in.

Supposedly relevant.

You know what happened?

• Open rates: 4%

• CTR: 0.1%

• Spam complaints: through the roof

• Their domain? Blacklisted.
  

Their legit customers suddenly stopped getting emails.

And they had to spend weeks and thousands fixing the damage.

Moral of the story?

There are no shortcuts that actually work, just expensive detours.

Here’s What Happens When You Buy a List

Let’s break it down:

❌ You violate spam laws

CAN-SPAM, GDPR, CASL… pick your poison.

If the contact didn’t explicitly opt into your brand, you’re already in the danger zone.

❌ Your deliverability tanks

Email providers (like Gmail and Yahoo) are smarter than ever.

Once they detect spammy behavior, they’ll throttle, or block everything you send.

Even to people who actually signed up.

❌ You damage your brand

First impressions matter.

Would you trust a brand that showed up in your inbox uninvited?

Didn’t think so.

What to Do Instead (That Actually Works)

Here’s what we do for every client that wants real growth:

1. Build a High-Converting Signup Form

Don’t just “add a popup.”

Make it irresistible:

• Use a clear headline (“Unlock 10% off your first order” still works)

• Add social proof

Keep the fields short (Email + First Name = enough)

2. Use Paid Traffic… to Grow Your List

Instead of buying a cold list, pay to send warm traffic to a landing page with a killer opt-in.

• Targeted Facebook/Instagram/TikTok ads

• Run a quiz funnel

Use lead gen hooks like “Find Your Fit” or “Get Your Personalized Routine”

3. Turn Every Customer Into a Subscriber

I see so many brands forget this.

If someone buys from you but doesn’t opt in, you’re leaving money on the table.

• Add an opt-in checkbox at checkout

• Offer a reason to subscribe post-purchase (“Track your order + get updates”)

• Run a winback campaign with an opt-in CTA
  

4. Make Your Emails Worth Joining

If your emails are just discounts and product drops… meh.

Add value:

• Share behind-the-scenes content

• Feature real customers

• Educate (how-tos, usage tips, brand stories)

When people love your emails, they want to hear from you.

Ready to Build a List That Actually Converts?

Buying a list might feel like a shortcut, but it does more harm than good.

Real growth comes from smart strategy and genuine connection.

If you're testing forms, refining automations, or just unsure what’s working, that’s why I’m sharing this.

I’ve helped brands grow high-converting lists without hurting deliverability or trust.

Try these tactics. See what clicks.

And when you're ready to scale smarter, let’s make it happen together.

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!

Take Your Email Strategy Even Further

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

📺 Check Out Our YouTube Tutorial!
Want to create a high-converting pop-up form that actually drives results?

In my YouTube video, I walk you through the process of designing popups in 2025 that boost email deliverability, grow your list, and drive more conversions. Using tools like Klaviyo and platforms like Shopify, I’ll show you exactly how to optimize your forms for success. 👉 Watch it here:  

📝 Stay Ahead with 2025’s Email Marketing Trends

Not sure what’s working in email marketing right now? You’re not alone. Many brands play it safe until they see what’s actually driving results.

We’ve broken down the biggest email marketing trends for 2025, so you can stay ahead, boost engagement, and drive more revenue. Want to know what’s working?

👉 Read my blog here: Email Marketing Trends in 2025 That Will Show Results

💡 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.