Grow Your Email List with Gated Content

In a nutshell, gated content means your audience gives their email to unlock something special - like a video, article or guide. You’ve probably seen it before: “Enter your email to access this content.”

Here is how it works.

Step 1: Offer Something Valuable

To work well, your content must be:

• Useful
• Interesting
• Hard to find elsewhere

One great way to create gated content is by turning live experiences into exclusive replays. For example:

Host a live workshop or demo, then offer the recording as gated content. To make it even more valuable, include bonus material that wasn’t part of the live session, like:

• A downloadable cheat sheet or workbook
• A follow-up mini Q&A with the presenter
• A quick recap video with key takeaways

This gives people a reason to sign up - not just to catch what they missed, but to get more than what was originally shared.

Just remember: always let attendees know if the session will be recorded and how it may be shared.

Step 2: Share and Promote It

To get signups, people need to see your content.

Promote it:

• In your emails and newsletters
• On social media
• Inside your blog posts

Use strong images and headlines that spark curiosity - especially video thumbnails with people and a play button.

You can also share gated content directly when someone connects with you.

A quick LinkedIn direct message with a link can go a long way.

Step 3: Ask for the Email

Don’t forget to ask for an email address when interest is high.

Explain what they’ll get, why it’s worth it and ask permission to keep in touch. If the content is good, most people won’t mind.

🤔 What kind of gated content have you actually signed up for - and why did it feel worth it?