Podcast
The Email Sound Booth with Liz Wilcox
Hosted by Liz Wilcox · EN
For online businesses that need to remix their email marketing efforts, and finally build an email list that makes them money and feels good to do it.
140episodes
Episodes
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EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: Ellen Yin- fun ways to get replies
3w ago00:07:40Tap to summarizeEpisode Overview Check out how to make email easy and fun with our exclusive offer: listgadget.com/summit Don't forget--just for signing up for this event, you get access to over 100 free deals + discounts to grow your business! Check out our coupon book here (and steal the idea for your own if you like: https://canva.link/z54sljb9e1t4nox Hey friends! Liz Wilcox reporting for duty from the Email Engagement Summit, where the audio is "mid" but the email game is fire. In this snack-sized ep, I sit down (virtually!) with the one-and-only Ellen Yin of Cubicle to CEO to jam about upping your email engagement in ways so simple it's not even funny. We spill our own behind-the-scenes hacks, swap hilarious stories, and debate the serious business of how to pronounce "GIF/gif/jif." If you like keeping your emails fun, real, and human—this one's your vibe. Episode Highlights Reply with ONE Word—It Works! Ellen Yin dishes on her easiest tip ever: just ask your subscribers to reply to your emails with a specific word. Seriously, try it! Like DM automation on Insta, but for your inbox. Not only does it bump up engagement, but it literally teaches your peeps that it's okay to hit reply (01:07). Make It Fun & On-Brand Liz Wilcox shares her 90s-themed welcome sequence where new subscribers reply with "too legit to quit." Not only does it keep things playful, but it's a total conversation starter (shoutout to all the MC Hammer GIFs that flood her inbox daily) (05:01). Don't Drop the Link—Start the Chat Both Ellen Yin and Liz Wilcox encourage swapping out those cold, direct links for easy calls to reply. Examples: inviting event organizers and attendees to reply for custom links, and only sending freebies after someone responds. Engagement + Connection = A+++ (03:38). Links & Resources List Gadget – The "plug and play" email engagement tool that inspired this very summit. Get your $9 deal at listgadget.com/summit Cubicle to CEO Newsletter – Join Ellen Yin's crew of 23k+ biz owners for weekly behind-the-scenes (peek at what's working IRL): https://cubicletoceo.co Check out Ellen's email here: https://ckarchive.com/b/lmuehmhnqrrrrcd7kkm78c8vr7lw8tgh30e3x Key Takeaway Stop overthinking engagement! The best moves are low-tech, high-vibe: ask for a reply, keep it fun, and show up as a real human (bonus points for 90s references and dance GIFs). Your email list will love you for it.
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EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: Kate Doster- pdf-itize your stuff for clicks and sales
3w ago00:08:07Tap to summarizeEpisode Overview Check out how to make email easy and fun with our exclusive offer: listgadget.com/summit Don't forget--just for signing up for this event, you get access to over 100 free deals + discounts to grow your business! Check out our coupon book here (and steal the idea for your own if you like: https://canva.link/z54sljb9e1t4nox What's up, inbox rockstars? This episode of the Email Engagement Summit, hosted by your very own Liz Wilcox, is a straight-up goldmine for anyone who's ever wondered, "How do I get folks to actually engage with my emails instead of sending them to Internet purgatory?" Kate Doster (aka the queen of PDF-izing your email game and wrangling the ADHD entrepreneur brain) drops in to share her signature strategy for higher engagement and making those sweet digital sales—without burning out. It's honest, fun, and full of hacks you'll want to try before your next send. Grab your oat milk latte and let's dive in. Episode Highlights 1. PDF-izing Your Emails: The Hottest New Trend Kate Doster spills her method for boosting engagement: stop writing another long-winded email and instead, bundle the value into a snazzy, branded PDF and attach that instead 01:22. Make your subject lines pop with words like "PDF", "Freebie," or a clear benefit—think "PDF: Post This If You Want Sales" 04:09. Hot tip: Tag on a product/sales blurb at the end of your PDF (because hey, you're working smarter, not harder) 02:12. 2. Triple Threat Click Tactics Link up everything—mockup image, button, and a good ol' P.S. text link—for max click-thru magic 05:02. The psychological ninja move? Drop a curiosity statement in your P.S., like "Let me know what you think about page two," so subscribers can't resist clicking 06:12. 3. Engagement = Replies = Inbox Party The by-product of this strategy? Actual human replies. People love thanking you for the extra effort and it boosts all those good engagement metrics 02:51. Links & Resources listgadget.com/summit – Plug and play email growth magic (sponsor and all-around clever tool referenced by both hosts) Check out Kate's email here: https://katedoster.kit.com/posts/free-pdf-need-sales-use-this-2 Kate Doster's Toolkit – Swipe Kate Doster's "Host Your First Bundle" resources (plus, get on her list for more genius emails): https://www.katedoster.com/ee Key Takeaway Why overthink your next email? Turn it into a value-packed, engaging PDF, test out those benefit-driven subject lines, link all the things, and juice up your P.S. Let your personality (and those links) shine, and watch your audience actually get excited about your emails. Engagement is just a PDF away.
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EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: Claudia Lucero- how cheese helped me get replies
3w ago00:04:29Tap to summarizeEpisode Overview Check out how to make email easy and fun with our exclusive offer: listgadget.com/summit Don't forget--just for signing up for this event, you get access to over 100 free deals + discounts to grow your business! Check out our coupon book here (and steal the idea for your own if you like: https://canva.link/z54sljb9e1t4nox What's up, cheese lovers and inbox warriors! This episode is a melty, gooey dive into engaging your email list—featuring the queen of DIY cheese herself, Claudia from Urban Cheesecraft. We chat about keeping your audience interested, using polls to shape your biz, and tracking what actually leads to sales (spoiler: sometimes it is cheese). Grab your favorite snack (cheese not required, but strongly encouraged), and let's get into the good stuff! Episode Highlights Mini-Polls = Maximum Engagement Claudia talked about using simple mini-polls at the end of her weekly emails to ask subscribers what cheese they want to learn next—turns out, Halloumi is the crowd fave! 00:01:39 Tagging for Smart Tracking She's not just winging it anymore! Claudia now tracks poll votes with tags, which helps her connect responses to future sales and see who buys what. You know you're leveling up when your data game gets sharper than your cheddar. 00:03:02 Ask and They Will… Buy! Real talk: past polls and prompts for product ideas led to real sales. When Claudia asked for burrata fans, people bought kits and classes. Now, she's doubling down on tracking for even more mozzarella money-moves. 00:03:26 Links & Resources Urban Cheesecraft Email List & Free Cheese-Making Class Jump on Claudia's list and get her 20-minute cheese class for free. Because who doesn't want to brag about homemade cheese? https://urbancheesecraft.com/ Urban Cheesecraft on Instagram. More cheese content, more good times: https://instagram.com/urbancheesecraft ListGadget: Email Engagement Tools- Make your emails interactive (polls, reactions, timers, oh my!) like the pros featured in this summit: listgadget.com/summit Key Takeaway Don't overthink your emails—just ask your crew what they want, get creative with your engagement (hello, quick polls!), and keep tabs on what works. Your list is more than just addresses—it's a cheese-loving community ready to help you shape your biz (and your next workshop flavor).
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EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: Christina Lenkowski- segmenting for sales
3w ago00:05:54Tap to summarizeEpisode Overview Check out how to make email easy and fun with our exclusive offer: listgadget.com/summit Don't forget--just for signing up for this event, you get access to over 100 free deals + discounts to grow your business! Check out our coupon book here (and steal the idea for your own if you like: https://canva.link/z54sljb9e1t4nox Hey friends! This episode of the Email Engagement Summit is hotter than my iced matcha on a July afternoon. Liz Wilcox is chatting with the magical connector herself, Christina Lenkowski! Spoiler: She's the real MVP behind so much of our email success vibes. Christina Lenkowski drops some serious wisdom on juicing up your email engagement, segmenting like a pro, and making your subscribers actually want to show up (imagine that!). Whether your email list is thriving or collecting pixel dust, you're about to get inspired to try new stuff. Episode Highlights Segmentation FTW Christina Lenkowski talks about leveling up her email game by segmenting her lists, especially around webinar launches. This resulted in open rates in the 60-70% range and click-through rates to make any marketer weep with joy 01:36. Parallel Launch Sequences Instead of blasting everyone with the same sales emails, she ran parallel sequences: one for webinar attendees, one for the regular list. Each group got tailored CTAs, making everyone feel seen 03:14. Setting Expectations = More Engagement Want people to show up to your stuff? TELL THEM WHAT TO EXPECT. Liz Wilcox shouts out how Christina Lenkowski's up-front approach increased show-up rates and kept people hooked 04:13. Links & Resources List Gadget Summit Special — the "plug and play" email sorcery tool everyone's raving about: listgadget.com/summit Get Christina Lenkowski's podcast pitch swipe files (plus join her too-awesome-for-words email list): https://publicity-x-christina.kit.com/lizsummit Check out Christina's email here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yazUC81HM4q_pJO-qgWef89HKhY20xCpmpTS1xFIgDc/edit?usp=sharing Insta laughs and publicity inspo: @publicityxchristina Key Takeaway Email engagement isn't magic—just be intentional! Segment your list, tailor your approach, and set clear expectations so your subscribers always know what's coming. When you connect with your audience genuinely (and shout about it like the quirky business owner you are), your email list turns into a party everyone actually RSVPs to.
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EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: Cat Griffin- using song lyrics to connect with subscribers
3w ago00:05:44Tap to summarizeEpisode Overview Check out how to make email easy and fun with our exclusive offer: listgadget.com/summit Don't forget--just for signing up for this event, you get access to over 100 free deals + discounts to grow your business! Check out our coupon book here (and steal the idea for your own if you like: https://canva.link/z54sljb9e1t4nox Alright, folks, buckle up for a lyrical ride! In this session, Cat Griffin shows us how email marketing doesn't have to be dry or spammy—it can actually be fun (who knew?!). Cat spills all the tea on using Oasis and Cher song lyrics to spark legit conversations with her email list. We talk pop-culture vibes, authentic branding, and how to get subscribers hitting that "reply" button because they actually WANT to talk to you. If you think business emails have to be boring…this episode might just set you straight. 🎤 Episode Highlights Turning Song Lyrics Into Inbox Gold Cat Griffin shares how riffing off Oasis lyrics like "Don't Look Back in Anger" and "Today's Gonna Be The Day" has become her secret weapon for more organic, laugh-filled engagement. She's not just building an email list—she's building friendships, one chorus at a time. Getting Real Replies (Not Just the Auto Ones) Using music references, Cat Griffin doesn't just ask her subscribers to "hit reply"—she gives them a reason to. The result? Genuine conversations, stories about what everyone's working on, and fun debates about which song is which. Spoiler: her husband still thinks Cher's "Shoop Shoop" song was by the Bad Boys. 02:04 Keep It On-Brand—And Actually Fun Cat keeps her email voice unapologetically her. If using lyrics feels natural, go for it. If asking "what are you up to?" feels off, skip it. The key? Authenticity, baby—and her audience is here for it. Kat Griffin breaks it all down at 03:06. Links/Resources Free Collab Guide from Cat all about growing your list through collaborations (perfect if you're tired of solo-hustling): https://www.catgets.social/f/how-to-be-a-collaboration-rocstar Check out Cat's email here: https://preview.mailerlite.com/c9h7d2v8a1 The Email Engagement Summit hub: listgadget.com summit Key Takeaway Don't be afraid to make emails a little weird—or a lot YOU. If you want engaged subscribers (not just numbers), ditch the stiff "newsletter" voice and write like a human with personality—even if that means quoting Oasis or Cher. The best engagement comes when you AND your list are having fun.
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EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: Sam Vander Wielen- the newsletter IS the prize
3w ago00:04:48Tap to summarizeEpisode Overview Check out how to make email easy and fun with our exclusive offer: listgadget.com/summit Don't forget--just for signing up for this event, you get access to over 100 free deals + discounts to grow your business! Check out our coupon book here (and steal the idea for your own if you like: https://canva.link/z54sljb9e1t4nox What makes an email list so irresistible that people actually look forward to your next send? That's exactly what we unpack with the one and only Sam Vander Wielen! Forget boring email freebies—Sam Vander Wielen spills her spicy secrets on making your emails the very thing everyone wants. We're talking branded newsletters, value bombs, and a little Insta-teasing magic to get people lining up for your subscriber club. If your list could use more raving fans, this one's for you! Episode Highlights Give Your Emails an Upgrade Sam Vander Wielen shares how branding her weekly newsletter and making it an 'event' helps supercharge sign-ups—and keeps readers actually wanting to read. She finds giving her newsletter a real name and purpose is a total game-changer for engagement (00:00:54). Hype It Up on Social Got something juicy coming up in your next email? Tease it! Sam Vander Wielen talks up next week's newsletter on Instagram or wherever her audience hangs out, which drives a TON of new signups (00:02:40). Forget the Freebie, Focus on the Inbox The big myth busted: you don't have to offer a lead magnet. If your emails deliver genuine value, people will sign up just for your content (00:01:27). Mind. Blown. Links / Resources Sign up for Sam's Sidebar newsletter and get weekly inspo from Sam Van Der W—you and 63,000+ biz buddies: https://www.samvanderwielen.com/newsletter Check out Sam's email here: https://mailing.samvanderwielen.com/posts/my-wake-up-call-about-online-safety Try ListGadget and level up your emails with polls, timers, and more at listgadget.com/summit Key Takeaway Ready for better engagement? Make your emails so dang valuable that people want them for the emails alone. Brand your newsletter, tease it on social, and focus on pure value. The lesson: Become the "can't-miss" email in their inbox!
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EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: John Meese- gotta reply to get the invite
3w ago00:08:41Tap to summarizeEpisode Overview Check out how to make email easy and fun with our exclusive offer: listgadget.com/summit Don't forget--just for signing up for this event, you get access to over 100 free deals + discounts to grow your business! Check out our coupon book here (and steal the idea for your own if you like: https://canva.link/z54sljb9e1t4nox What's up, inbox enthusiasts! On this episode, I sat down with email wizard John Meese author of "Serve 2 Sell" and upcoming book "Sold Out Coach." We're talking next-level email engagement—not those boring open rates and click rates, but real human connection. Think: transforming your emails from one-to-many snoozefests to high-converting, one-on-one convos with dream clients. Seriously, if you've ever wondered how to get legit replies (and not just from your mom), this is your jam. Plus, we get a behind-the-scenes peek at John's signature "include you on the calendar invite" move and how it leads to sold-out high-ticket programs. Let's roll. Episode Highlights The Magic CTA John Meese spills the beans on his secret, super-casual CTA: "Would you like me to include you on the calendar invite?" This simple question gets boatloads of actual replies—way more than the old-school "register here" link. 01:40 From Inbox to High-Ticket Coaching We dig into John Meese's sneaky-genius system: featuring real client stories, hosting live Q&As, and then inviting interested people via a personal response. This method fills up group coaching programs with warm, qualified leads, not cold lurkers. 05:47 Deliverability & Engagement Like a Boss Forget shallow metrics. John Meese shows that getting real replies boosts deliverability and starts real relationships—so you land in the inbox, not the spam folder, and actually get paid. 06:15 Links/Resources ListGadget — spice up your email game John Meese's site & free crash course: https://servetosellbook.com/liz (Get real examples, a free assessment, and tips for selling your brain without losing your weekends!) Key Takeaway Don't just chase numbers—get personal, get real, and ask for that reply. You'll fill up your calendar and your high-ticket programs with people who are already rooting for you. Be a human, not a robot. Emails work when you do.
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EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: Eman Ismail- don't write it all at once! increase sales by waiting til last minute
3w ago00:08:35Tap to summarizeEpisode Overview Check out how to make email easy and fun with our exclusive offer: listgadget.com/summit Don't forget--just for signing up for this event, you get access to over 100 free deals + discounts to grow your business! Check out our coupon book here (and steal the idea for your own if you like: https://canva.link/z54sljb9e1t4nox What's up email geeks! In this episode of the Email Engagement Summit, I Liz Wilcox (your host with the most questionable WiFi) bring on email strategist extraordinaire Eman Ismail to spill the beans on how to turn your audience from "meh" to mega-engaged. We chat about why it's cool to ditch your rigid email launch schedule, stalk your inbox for REAL subscriber questions, and fire off exactly the emails your peeps need—right when they need 'em. Whether you're an over-planner or a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-convertkit, you'll be pausing those pre-scheduled campaigns after this one! Episode Highlights Let Your List Lead the Launch Eman Ismail shares how she purposely left gaps in her launch email schedule so she could listen to her audience mid-launch and create insanely relevant emails. Spoiler: It resulted in action-boosting, dollar-dropping replies and major sales. (01:00) The Power of Specificity When a subscriber asked how Eman Ismail's course compared to "Copy School," she pivoted on the spot, writing a head-to-head email that directly tackled that question. That single email sealed the deal for not one, but TWO course sales at $1K a pop! (02:30) Don't Be Scared to Go Off-Script Both Eman Ismail and Liz Wilcox admit that leaving blank space in your launch schedule (aka: winging it with replies to real-time questions) can be scary, but it's also the secret sauce to building community and making more sales. (06:01) Links/Resources listgadget.com/summit: The plug-and-play email toolkit making this summit (and our email dreams) possible. Get the deets and a special deal! Eman Ismail's Quiz: Discover your ideal newsletter style and join Iman's list for inspo, how-tos, and a free video walkthrough: https://emancopyco.com/quiz Key Takeaway Stop talking at your list—start talking with them. Leave room to respond, obsessively check those replies, and send emails that make your subscribers feel seen (and ready to hit that "buy" button). Embrace the chaos, trust your gut, and remember: engagement isn't about being perfect—it's about being present.
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EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: Chad Allen- the 11 word email with a 10% click rate
3w ago00:07:22Tap to summarizeEpisode Overview Check out how to make email easy and fun with our exclusive offer: listgadget.com/summit Don't forget--just for signing up for this event, you get access to over 100 free deals + discounts to grow your business! Check out our coupon book here (and steal the idea for your own if you like: https://canva.link/z54sljb9e1t4nox What's up, inbox heroes? Liz Wilcox here, bringing you another fire session from the Email Engagement Summit—where the audio's "meh" but the content's chef's kiss. In this episode, I sit down with the one and only Chad Allen to dig into a sneakily simple email that sparked wild engagement with his audience (we're talking a reply tsunami and click rates that'll make you spit out your iced coffee). From irresistible subject lines to videos that actually motivate your people, we dish on how to rally your community, make hearts flutter, and turn that digital inbox into a living, breathing movement. 3 Episode Highlights The Magic of 11 Words When Chad Allen dropped an email with the subject line "This email has 11 words," his audience lost their minds (in a good way). 50% open rate, nearly 10% click rate. All for a short, punchy email and a relatable video. Short 'n sweet can still bring the heat (01:06–02:20). Inspiration over Instruction Instead of flogging yet another how-to guide, Chad Allen sent his peeps a two-minute "you got this" pep talk by Ira Glass. Result? Flooded inbox with grateful replies—even though he didn't ask for them (03:19–04:22). Sometimes, all your people want is a little inspiration to keep them moving. Community Vibes = Reply Gold When you truly know your audience, you can spark a conversation just by sending the right message at the right time. Liz Wilcox hypes up the power of knowing what your people need to hear, no matter your niche. Inspire and motivate, and the replies will come flying in (04:56–06:15). Links / Resources listgadget.com/summit – Level up your emails with polls, leaderboards, timers, and more. https://www.chadrallen.com/writingretreatplanner– Get writing templates, planners, infographics, and a motivational nudge for your creative journey. Check out Chad's email here – https://ckarchive.com/b/k0umh6h5rqrzqt6n33wn4aor507m5f8hzxg Key Takeaway You don't need to write a novel to get people clicking, replying, and actually loving your emails. Know your audience, keep it real, and serve up a punch of inspiration—sometimes being their cheerleader is more valuable than being their instructor. Press send, rally your digital crew, and watch the engagement roll in. Inbox magic, millennial-style ✌️
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EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: Tina DiVita- eliminating friction + no pitching = sales
3w ago00:05:07Tap to summarizeEpisode Overview Check out how to make email easy and fun with our exclusive offer: listgadget.com/summit Don't forget--just for signing up for this event, you get access to over 100 free deals + discounts to grow your business! Check out our coupon book here (and steal the idea for your own if you like: https://canva.link/z54sljb9e1t4nox What's up, inbox besties?! In this episode of the Email Engagement Summit, Liz Wilcox sits down with the totally brilliant Tina DiVita—brand + systems builder and self-proclaimed "let's make it EASY" queen. We're talking allll about ditching email friction, keeping it 100 with subscribers, and how to get folks actually raising their hands (aka, booking calls) with way less awkwardness. Spoiler: There's AI magic, story-based messaging, and fresh takes on the "wanna hop on a call?" hustle. Ready for email engagement that doesn't feel like pulling teeth? Grab your coffee (or boba, I see you), and let's get into it! Episode Highlights Ditch the Booking Pressure—Lower the Barrier! Tina DiVita shares how she stopped pushing people to "book a call" right out of the gate and switched to a chill "reply yes for next steps" CTA. Genius? 100%. Friction? Gone. (02:47) Letting AI Be Your Email Wingman Struggling to show up in the inbox? Tina DiVita built a custom AI tool trained on her brand voice + client stories so she always knows what to say. Hello, consistency! She ran a 30-day campaign with a wild 59–63% open rate and booked four discovery calls. (00:57) Consistent, Story-Led Emails (No Aggressive Pitching Required) Instead of sell, sell, sell, every email led with a relatable story or client win—and the pitch just showed up naturally at the end. Feels good, right? It's all about building trust and turning connections into conversations. (02:47) Links/Resources https://www.divitacreative.com/brandvoicebuilder – Hop on Tina DiVita's list and get her free Brand Voice Builder. Peep that yellow button in the header, fam! (04:38) Check out Tina's email here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oPLea9HiEmePFyhrk8wx1CJEIzx3Qo9u6TrsHmVTUek/edit?usp=sharing listgadget.com/summit – Sponsor alert! Make your emails interactive with polls, timers, referrals and more. Plug, play, profit. Key Takeaway If email marketing feels like trying to get your cat to attend a Zoom call… you're probably making it too hard. Make engagement EASY: tell real stories, ditch the scary calls to action, and invite replies like you would from a friend. Consistency is better than perfection every time.
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