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
Newest firstAll episodes
EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: Heather Ritchie- playing with preview text
Apr 2200:08:27Tap 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, y'all – welcome to another bangin' episode from the Email Engagement Summit! Liz Wilcox is in the house, audio vibes totally "mid" but value completely maxed. This time, she sits down with Heather Ritchie, aka certified content marketing strategist and your go-to for infusing email campaigns with realness (plus a side of LOLs). If you're tired of cookie-cutter emails and want inspo for being your absolute self (ADHD quirks, police humor, and all), this convo delivers! We're talking subject lines that SLAP, preview text that makes people giggle, and why letting your true personality show can turn unsubscribes into your new fave filter. Episode Highlights Humor + Honesty = Engagement Upgrade Heather Ritchie shares how ditching the "watered-down" version of herself and making her emails more personal, weird, and real gets actual replies from subscribers. (Bonus: subject line/preview text combos that make people smile!) 01:36–04:45 Personality is the Ultimate Repel (and Attract) Button Worried about losing folks from your list? Heather Ritchie says: Good! The right ones will stick – the rest will find their way out. Your emails shouldn't be for everyone, and that's the point. 04:52–05:11 Favorite Real-Life Subject Line Examples Get inspired by Heather Ritchie's best-loved lines – including Christmas antics and ADHD confessions. You don't have to be a stand-up comedian; just a little witty honesty goes a long way! 05:21–05:45 Links & Resources List Gadget: Email Growth Machine (Summit Discount!): listgadget.com/summit Get Heather Ritchie's freebie: Imposter Syndrome Interrupter (snag it from her email list for personality-boosted confidence with AI/journal prompts rolled in): https://writerslifeforyou.com/imposter-syndrome-interrupter-ees Check out Heather's email here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Cme2TfWy9xSZBAr-QDYsUUIuKPuYqSKbcn0pBiVAARg/edit?usp=sharing Key Takeaway Let your real self shine in your emails! Skip the boring, play with your subject lines and preview text, and don't be scared to show your quirks. The right people will vibe with you—and the rest will unsubscribe, clearing space for your true fans. Your personality? It's literally your email superpower. Craving more? Hit up Heather Richie's list for inspo, freebies, and the kind of subject lines that make you—and your readers—snort-laugh at your inbox.
Transcribe →
EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: Jessica Eastman Stewart- sharing girl scout cookie links to build trust
Apr 2200:08:16Tap 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 Yo, welcome to another episode from the Email Engagement Summit, hosted by your girl Liz Wilcox. This week, we're hanging out with Jessica Eastman Stewart, who brings the vibes and fresh ideas for building email community—without overthinking it. From crowdsourcing cool stuff year-round to creating shareable Girl Scout Cookie docs, Jessica Eastman Stewart spills on how "fun + service = trust" in your inbox. If you've ever doubted that community is the secret sauce for epic email engagement, buckle up: this one's for you. Episode Highlights Crowdsourcing Joyful Content Doesn't Have to Be Complicated Jessica Eastman Stewart shares her fave way to keep her Friday 5 newsletter readers hyped—by asking them to share tips, recommendations, and even Girl Scout cookie links. Sometimes the simplest ideas build the strongest communities 01:05. Girl Scout Cookie Roundup = Unexpected Email Magic Every cookie season, Jessica Eastman Stewart collects links from her audience who have Girl Scouts in their lives, pops them in a public Google Doc, and then shares that doc out a few times so everyone can buy (and eat) more cookies. It's community, it's connection... and it's delicious 01:57. Fun Ideas = Real Engagement (Yes, with Actual Numbers!) Not only did her readers love it (hello, 11–12% click rates to a Google Doc from a 16,000+ subscriber list), but Jessica Eastman Stewart made genuine connections with her audience and even ordered cookies herself—talk about walking the walk 05:44. Links/Resources ListGadget: Make Email Engagement Fun & Easy ($9 deal for summit peeps!): listgadget.com/summit Jessica's Friday 5 Newsletter — Sign Up for Weekly Joy + Tips: https://playbooks.jessicaeastmanstewart.com/ Check out Jessica's email here: https://pages.jessicaeastmanstewart.com/posts/jessica-s-friday-five-girl-scout-cookie-season-is-here Key Takeaway Stop overthinking your community-building emails. A little fun, a little service, and a shared cookie doc can turn "meh" subscribers into raving fans. Break some so-called "rules," try something unexpected, and don't forget to sprinkle in your own quirky personality—you never know which non-business thing will make your list fall in love with you.
Transcribe →
EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: Michelle Pontvert- summers off increased my affiliate sales!
Apr 2200:08:59Tap 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! It's Liz Wilcox, your fav inbox-obsessed friend, coming in hot from the Email Engagement Summit. This time I sat down with the brilliant Michelle Pontvert to geek out over a genius (and sanity-saving!) way to keep your subscribers engaged—even when you wanna go totally out of office for a month. Think guest blogging, but for your email list. Yes, for real. We get into her collaborative approach to content, how she keeps the inbox vibes fresh, plus how she managed to enjoy her summer break without ghosting her audience (and even made some extra cash while chillin'). Let's get that email engagement up without burning out, mmkay? Episode Highlights Collaborative Email Series Saves the Summer Michelle Pontvert explains how she recruited aligned business pals to share exclusive tips and stories with her list, letting her take a real summer break and keep the value rolling for her subscribers. Win-win-win! (01:00 – 02:48) How the Magic Happens (Without Losing Your Voice) She breaks down the nitty-gritty of inviting contributors, setting a theme ("From Sign Up to Sales" anyone?), adding her own intro and outro, and how she kept the vibe consistent—spoiler: she only wrote like three sentences per email herself! (04:22 – 07:33) Bonus: Monetizing While You Kick Back Michelle Pontvert shares how she wove in affiliate links to her collaborators' free or low-ticket offers, so she didn't just keep engagement up, she actually earned money on autopilot. Passive income, activated. (06:41 – 07:07) Links & Resources Check out Michelle's email here: https://www.canva.com/design/DAHFOZT6UaU/Rekv2P-Whn2u5M_NclHy5g/view?utm_content=DAHFOZT6UaU&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link2&utm_source=uniquelinks&utlId=h1c6cdc5ce9 Grab the free "State of Summits" report: michellepontvert.com/report Want in on the easy email magic? Check out listgadget.com/summit (our sponsor & fav tool for interactive emails) Key Takeaway You don't have to hustle 24/7 or drown in drafts to keep your email list lit. Tap into your network, feature talented buddies, and everyone wins—you, your audience, and your collaborators. Spoiler: your inbox can keep the party going, even when you're off sipping spritzers or recharging in peace. Hit up the links, get inspired, and set your email strategy to "easy mode"—more engagement, less burnout. You got this!
Transcribe →
EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: Ayebanoa Sapphire Benwari- little boxes, big wins
Apr 2200:12:45Tap 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, hey, party people! Welcome back to the Email Engagement Summit—the place where our audio is "mid," but trust me, the content absolutely smacks. In today's episode, I (your host, Liz Wilcox) got to hang out with the fabulous Ayebanoa Sapphire Benwari, aka "Dr. Sapphire" of email engagement fame. We dove deep into a super simple but hella effective email strategy: the "Little Box." Whether you love getting creative or keeping it basic, this under-five-minute hack promises to jazz up your emails, get more clicks, and help you stay in tune with your subscribers—without breaking a sweat. If you want practical takeaways, actual click stats, and some indie business owner energy: you're in the right place. Episode Highlights The "Little Box" Strategy for Sky-High Engagement Ayebanoa spilled all about a colorful, can't-miss box you can drop anywhere in your email. Use it to spotlight multiple offers, events, or links—and watch your click rates soar. Pro tip: make that box POP by using a different background color. Real Results & Fun Experiments Ayebanoa dished out juicy stats from real campaigns, showing exactly which offers drew the most clicks and how switching up box placement (top, middle, bottom) keeps things fresh, not formulaic. Keep It Fun & On-Brand You don't have to be a design whiz to try this, but if you want to flex your branding muscles—go for it! And remember: when you're having fun, your subscribers notice (and vibe with it). Links & Resources listgadget.com/summit – Easy plug-and-play HTML magic for your emails, sponsor shout-out! Check out Ayebanoa's email here: https://preview.mailerlite.io/preview/1635628/emails/182023030839445183 https://sapphirelearninghub.com/sendtheseemails/ – Hop on Ayebanoa's list to see the "Little Box" strategy in action and soak in some email inspiration. Key Takeaway Don't overcomplicate your engagement strategy—sometimes "just a little box" is all you need for big results. Break the rules, experiment with placement and copy, and above all: don't forget to have fun. Your list will thank you.
Transcribe →
EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: Liz Mosley- wanna be on my podcast?
Apr 2200:06:21Tap 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 Ever have a podcast guest ghost last minute and panic about empty content calendars? Tune in to hear how Liz Mosley turned a scheduling snafu into an epic engagement extravaganza. She didn't just scramble, she invited her own list to pitch for the open guest spot, sparking a tidal wave of connection and creativity with her audience. We talk playful pitches, rejection reframes, and why inviting your subscribers behind the velvet rope is always a vibe. Grab your coffee and let's make inboxes human again. Episode Highlights When Life Gives You Canceled Guests… Liz Mosley shares how a last-minute cancellation led her to open up a podcast guest slot to her email subscribers, giving detailed pitching instructions and sparking a wave of creative responses 01:00. Community Vibes > Transactional Emails Instead of the usual broadcast-from-the-mountaintop approach, Liz Mosley and Liz Wilcox dig into how getting your list involved creates real community ("not just another sales funnel, thank you very much") 03:59. A Rejection Challenge Worth Clicking Liz Mosley drops her free Trello board template that helps you rewire your brain for rejection—and maybe start celebrating those "no's" 05:23. Links & Resources List Gadget: The summit's proud sponsor—supercharge your emails with polls, leaderboards, and more. listgadget.com/summit Get on Liz Mosley's List + Free Rejection Challenge: https://lizmosley.myflodesk.com/c0tqmjsnl5 Check out Liz's email here: https://view.flodesk.com/emails/66337caba5eccea8a4552b8d Key Takeaway Don't just "talk at" your list, invite them in! Whether it's crowdsourcing a guest, running a quirky game, or reframing rejection, real connection happens when your audience feels like collaborators, not numbers. Open your digital doors and let your list be part of the journey. (Bonus: the replies just might make your day.)
Transcribe →
EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: Adam Schaeuble- my email list saved my threads account
Apr 2200:07:01Tap 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, pod pals! In this latest episode of the Email Engagement Summit, I get to vibe with Adam, my favorite podcast host ever, on the wild power of your email list. Spoiler: Email isn't just "old school" marketing. Nope, it's actual magic. We dive into how keeping it real and consistent with your list turns casual subscribers into super fans (the kind that'll fight the bots for you). Episode Highlights No AI Here, Friends: Adam kicks off every newsletter with a stamp of authenticity—reminding readers it's 100% human-written, in real time, and super unfiltered 01:09. The Threads Fiasco: When Adam gets his Threads account disabled by a bot (oh, the irony), he vents to his list and—plot twist—asks his community to help. Cue the super fan takeover. Within six hours of sending the email, his account is reinstated. Email list for the win 03:58! Consistency Is Queen: For years, Adam has dropped his newsletter and podcast weekly, never missing a beat. That's the real secret sauce for building trust and engagement 06:10. Links & Resources listgadget.com/summit: Sponsor & the tool for spicing up your emails with polls, timers, leaderboards, and more. Get on Adam's newsletter: https://www.podcastingbusiness.school/news Check out Adam's email: https://www.podcastingbusiness.school/blog/my-threads-account-got-shut-down-now-what Super fans shoutout: Pat Flynn & the "Superfans" book (good read!) Key Takeaway Being real, like actually real, and showing up consistently for your people transforms your subscribers into a ride-or-die crew. So don't just automate and ghost; get personal, get weird, and watch your email list move mountains (and maybe even tangle with the tech overlords).
Transcribe →
EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: Caleb Dempsey- leaderboards doubled my click rate on a list of 80k
Apr 2100:06:34Tap 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 hey, inbox innovators! Liz Wilcox here, and this time, I'm hanging with the dopamine dealer themself, Caleb Dempsey, at the Email Engagement Summit. If you've ever wondered how to make your list folks basically beg to open and click your emails (without bribing them with avocado toast), then roll up your sleeves for this convo. Caleb Dempsey breaks down their "dopamail" framework—think gamification, leaderboard flexing, and feedback loops that get even your lurkers off the sidelines. Ready to make that Monday newsletter — dare I say — FUN? Let's do it. Episode Highlights Leaderboard Magic with List Gadget Caleb Dempsey shares how they use List Gadget to give peeps a literal points-based reason to show up and engage (01:12). Spoiler: turns out, we all crave a little scoreboard glory. Feedback Loops That Actually Work "Do something, earn reward, feel good." It's not just your childhood sticker chart—Caleb Dempsey turns this into an 80% engagement boost in just 6 months (03:45). No Participation Trophies, Just Pure Winner Takes All Forget runners-up. Only one can claim the quarterly crown and the physical prize (03:10). Savage but motivating! Links/Resources List Gadget — Plug-n-play polls, leaderboards, and dopamine triggers for your emails Caleb's Actually Fun Email Newsletter — Get schooled by the boss of email engagement Link to Caleb's email: https://events.ecamm.com/posts/community-shoutouts-ed-s-studio-hack-and-your-schedule Check out our coupon book here — https://canva.link/z54sljb9e1t4nox Key Takeaway Make your emails the best thing in someone's inbox with real actions, instant feedback, and a sprinkle of fun. Caleb Dempsey proves people will open, click, and cheer for you (literally!) when there's community, competition, and clear rewards. Stop being boring in the inbox—gamify it, own it, and watch engagement soar. Transcripts can be found here.
Transcribe →
EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: Tracy Beavers- expressing gratitude + giving away free stuff
Apr 2100:06:35Tap 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 Heyyyyy, biz besties! It's your professional email party planner (okay, just kidding—sorta), coming at you with another episode of the Email Engagement Summit! Today, I hung out with the one and only Tracy Beavers to riff on getting more juice out of your email list. We geek out over quirky emails, show some serious gratitude, and spill deets on how to get people actually talking back to you. Yup, replies aren't just for your mom's happy birthday messages. Let's dive in! Episode Highlights 1. The Power of the Annual "Thank You" + Freebie Tracy Beavers drops her go-to move: at the end of the year/start of a new one, she shows her email fam some love, thanks them hard, and then slips in a sweet lil' PS freebie (hello, brain-rewiring exercise!) for anyone that replies with a secret word. Spoiler: 40+ people hit her up last round (01:05–02:30). 2. Make Engagement FUN (Yes, Even for Adult Humans) Why wait for New Year's? You can literally ask fun/funny stuff like, "What's the weirdest thing you ever sold for a school fundraiser?" and people will reply—even if it's just to share horror stories about band candy (01:38). Fun + human = inbox connection. 3. Why Gratitude Works Magic Liz Wilcox gives mega props to Tracy Beavers for being the queen of gratitude. Turns out, just reminding people you like having them in your world turns "ghost subscribers" into actual PEOPLE who want to reply, click, and hang with you in your inbox (03:43–04:25). So simple, but so gold. Links/Resources List Gadget – The sponsor and email wizardry tool we're all using. Automate those polls, timers, surveys & more with just a smidge of HTML. Check out Tracy's example email here. https://tracybeavers.biz/lizsummit – Hop on Tracy Beavers's list for chill tips, real biz stories, and the occasional wild animal cam update. https://canva.link/z54sljb9e1t4nox – Check out our coupon book here. Key Takeaway If you want your email list to actually ENGAGE with you (not just collect virtual dust), show your people some love, ask offbeat questions, and make it super easy (and fun, duh) for them to hit "reply." Turns out, your next sale could start with a simple thank you or a weird fundraiser memory. Numbers are great, but real conversations = the secret sauce. Transcripts can be found here.
Transcribe →
EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: Nadine Nethery- digital scratch cars with 100% open rate?!
Apr 2100:09:21Tap 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 Ever wanted to make your email list as obsessed with your content as you are with cold brew? Nadine Nethery is dishing out a delightfully fun strategy—interactive scratchy cards—that'll have your subscribers engaged, clicking, and literally scratching for more. We're talking next-level open rates, website traffic boosts, and some major "dang, that's clever" moments. Tune in for all the details and a behind-the-scenes peek at the tech and psychology making it work. Episode Highlights The Scratchy Card Email Hack Nadine Nethery spills the beans on her interactive digital scratchy card strategy. In a nutshell? It's a segmented, surprise-and-delight email sequence that sends select subscribers to a custom web page to "scratch" off offers. Actual fun meets major list engagement (01:11). Bananas Open Rates & Segmentation Sorcery We're talking genuine 100% open rates and 58% click-throughs. Yeah—you read that right. By sending her emails only to hot segments (think actives, past buyers, or click-happy lurkers), Nadine Nethery ensures nobody's left yawning (04:31). Super-Simple Tech Stack Don't fear the tech! All you need is Drip (her email platform) and a sprinkle of embedded HTML code on a landing page. Plus, the subject line magic—"want a sneaky scratchy?"—pretty much guarantees those opens (07:07). Links & Resources List Gadget (summit sponsor): listgadget.com/summit Check out Nadine's Virtual Scratchie Email here. Get Your Own Scratchy Card & Join Nadine Nethery's List: https://link.candocontent.com/liz Check out our coupon book here: https://canva.link/z54sljb9e1t4nox Key Takeaway Engagement isn't just about snappy copy—sometimes, it's about making your emails so interactive and fun that your audience wants to click. Try the scratchy card strategy and watch your open and click rates go bananas. Bonus: genuine conversations, more loyalty, and a list that's hyped for your offers. Transcripts can be found here.
Transcribe →
EMAIL ENGAGEMENT SUMMIT: Amy Behimer- personal videos to move them closer to client status
Apr 2100:09:20Tap 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, hey! Welcome to another round of the Email Engagement Summit, where the audio's "meh" but the vibes and value are chef's kiss. I'm Liz Wilcox and today I'm hanging out with health coach and certified people-connector Amy Behimer. If you've ever worried your emails sound like they were composed by a robot with a caffeine addiction, you're in for a treat. Amy Behimer breaks down her unique, super human way of making her email list feel like an old friend—spoiler alert: it involves personalized videos and a whole lotta heart. Episode Highlights 1. Too Much Info? Here's the Fix01:07 Amy Behimer shares how her audience of folks with autoimmune issues is overwhelmed by health info overload. Her #1 goal: make every subscriber feel seen, not spammed. 2. Personal Videos FTW01:46 Instead of setting automated "thanks for subscribing" emails and calling it a day, Amy Behimer uses quick, personalized videos to welcome hot leads, call them by name, and invite actual replies. No bots allowed. 3. Connection > Automation04:44 Amy Behimer is all about real deal relationships. One client only booked a call after she heard her own name in Amy's video—and now she's been a member for over a year. Sometimes, ya gotta slow down to win big. Links / Resources ListGadget.com Summit – For making your emails extra snazzy, as recommended by Liz Wilcox. Amy's email – Check out her warm welcome video Amy's Free Habit Quiz – Want to see the magic in action and figure out your next health move? https://canva.link/z54sljb9e1t4nox – Check out our coupon book here. Key Takeaway Forget about chasing numbers or obsessing over open rates—turn your list into a community by actually being human. A lil' personalized attention (like a quick video shoutout) goes way further than the fanciest automation ever could. Connection is the real growth hack. Transcripts can be found here.
Transcribe →