How to Build an Email List on Payhip? (5 Easy Steps)

Checking my inbox. Nothing. No sales. No signups. No traffic. Why? Because I had no email list. No one to launch to. Nobody to tell. It was like throwing a party and forgetting to send invites.

That moment was the wake-up call I didn’t know I needed. I wasn’t just missing a sales strategy, I was missing the audience. So I rolled up my sleeves, dug into Payhip’s tools, and figured out how to start building my list directly from the platform. No third-party apps. No monthly software subscriptions. Just the stuff Payhip already gives you.

So if you’re starting from scratch or you just haven’t prioritized email yet (no shame), here’s exactly how to build an email list on Payhip in 5 easy steps — using tools that are already built into your account.

Step 1: Turn on Email Collection at Checkout

Alright, first thing’s first. Go into your Payhip dashboard, click “Marketing” → “Mailing Lists,” and make sure email collection is enabled. By default, Payhip collects your customers’ email addresses whenever they make a purchase — but you need to tell it what list to send those emails to.

Set up a new list. I called mine “Main List”, because I was feeling very creative that day.

Why this matters?
Because that checkout moment is GOLD. Someone’s already buying from you — they’re in the zone. You don’t want to miss the chance to follow up later, send product updates, or offer related deals.

Bonus tip:
Enable the GDPR-compliant checkbox if you’re selling in Europe, so buyers explicitly opt in. Keeps you out of legal hot water. Ask me how I know. If you’re not sure how to handle that, this guide on GDPR compliance for email marketing walks you through everything you need to stay safe and compliant.

Step 2: Offer a Free Lead Magnet

This step was a game-changer. I created a free PDF, literally just a two-page checklist for my niche audience and uploaded it as a $0 product on Payhip.

When someone clicks to download it, guess what happens? Boom. Their email is added to your list.

And no, it doesn’t need to be fancy. Some ideas that worked for me and others:

• A sample chapter or worksheet

• A digital calendar or planner page

• A swipe file or cheat sheet

The key here is making something helpful and relevant to your paid product. You’re not just giving stuff away for fun — you’re building trust. You’re starting the conversation.

Pro Tip: Make sure your product title and description focus on the benefit:
“Download Your Free Content Planning Template” works better than “Free PDF.”

Need inspiration for what kind of content gets people to sign up? Check out these email sequence strategies to boost your course sales many of them double as great freebie ideas.

Step 3: Turn Product Pages Into Sign-Up Funnels

Okay, this one’s sneaky but effective.
Your Payhip product pages can do double duty they don’t have to just sell something, they can also build your list.

When I launched my email course, I used the Payhip product page like a landing page. Big headline. Bullet points. A strong CTA. No distractions. And I didn’t even need to use an external tool like ConvertKit or Mailchimp’s landing pages.

Here’s what worked:

• Headline: “Start Your Free 3-Day Email Challenge”

• Description: Focused on transformation, not features

• Cover image: I used Canva to design a bold, branded graphic

And that page? It converted at 47%.
Better than anything I tried to build with page builders before.

Want to see how to bring in even more results with your emails? Try using storytelling in email marketing to increase emotional resonance and click-throughs.

Step 4: Use Payhip’s Built-in Email Tool to Stay in Touch

Once you’ve got people on your list… don’t ghost them.
Seriously, that was my next mistake building a list and then not sending anything for weeks. By the time I sent an email, they were like, “Wait, who are you again?”

Payhip makes it super easy to send broadcast emails straight from your dashboard. No integrations required. You can:

• Write simple email blasts

• Promote a new product

• Send exclusive discounts

• Segment your audience based on purchases

And yes, the editor is basic — but that’s the point. You’re not writing fancy marketing fluff. You’re just talking to real humans.

My tip? Keep it personal. Write like a friend. Include their first name. Link them to your store. Make it conversational.

If you’re not sure where to start, here’s how to write engaging welcome emails that actually make people want to stick around after they sign up.

Step 5: Promote Your Freebies to Grow Your List (Everywhere)

Last step, and this one’s all about consistency.
You’ve got your email system running now you need to get eyes on it. That means putting your Payhip freebie (your lead magnet) everywhere.

I added the link in:

• My Instagram bio

• YouTube video descriptions

• A pinned Tweet

• Blog sidebar

• Even on a post-it note in a product photo, lol

Traffic doesn’t always mean conversions, but targeted traffic to a freebie? That builds your list like magic. And if you’re consistent — even with a small audience, the list compounds over time.

Want to improve how those emails perform once people join? Here’s how to use email analytics to improve open rates. Because even the best freebie won’t help if your emails aren’t getting seen.

I grew my first 500 subscribers in about three months this way. No ads. No software. Just using Payhip + free content + a little hustle.

Final Thoughts

Email is still the most powerful marketing tool for online sellers but only if you use it.
And the best part? If you’re using Payhip, you don’t need to bolt on a bunch of other tools or pay for 5 different platforms just to collect emails.

Everything you need is already there.

So stop waiting for the “perfect” funnel or the fancy software or the 10k Instagram following. Start building your list today — one freebie, one signup, one person at a time.

Because one email?
That could be your next customer.