One of the best and easiest ways to grow your email list is by creating a free resource library. Ever since I created the free printables library in October, the number of newsletter subscribers more than tripled and it’s growing every day. I wanted to offer a content upgrade for a long time, but I couldn’t find a good way to do it.
If you are unfamiliar with this, a content upgrade is a download you create that will only be accessible in exchange for signing up for an email list.
There are many apps and plugins that help you with this, but most of the plugins I tried were expensive and had more features that I needed. Instead of using something that made people subscribe every time I added a new resource, I decided to create my own library. The really great part is that you can do this for free and you don’t have to use plugins. That is unless you really want to.
You can create a free resource library with the following:
- a new WordPress page
- MailChimp (or the newsletter software you usually use)
- Download Monitor (optional)
- Genesis Easy Columns (optional)
How to get started
Before you create your resource library, you actually need to make something for your users to download. You don’t need a library if you only have one item, like an eBook, but you will need it if you plan on sharing more items or adding new ones every month.
I decided to use the library for free printables. At the moment, you can find weekly planners and blog planning sheets. My plan is to add new items every month or every two months. I’d like to add calendars, checklists and worksheets and maybe even recipe cards and digital papers.
Making printables is not hard. It’s actually fun and easy. And what I like most about it is that you can create printables for yourself and share them with your readers. Or you can create worksheets and checklists as a content upgrade for a new or popular post.
The downside of using a free resource library
To be honest, there aren’t many cons to creating a library for you email opt-ins. People are more likely to give you their email if they receive something in return. You probably write great newsletters, but they don’t know that so they need a little encouragement.
Some people will unsubscribe after they receive the password: I know this might bother you, but the number of persons that unsubscribe is low. Since I already offer a lot of freebies without collecting emails, this isn’t something that I’m too worried about. The number of people that subscribe, read your content and click your links is much larger.
You will receive emails from people that don’t receive or lose the password: This also doesn’t happen often, but it can be annoying. To make sure that your subscribers will remember the password, add a little note in the newsletter about the library.
How to create a free resource library
Step 1: Create a password protected page
If you are on WordPress, you can create a new page from your dashboard. On the right side of your post editor, you have the Publish menu. To password protect your page, click on Visibility, select Password Protected and enter your password.
Since this isn’t your blog or email, you don’t have to add the strongest password you can think of. You should add something that is easy to remember and relevant to your brand.
Step 2: Add your freebies
To add items to the library, I use two free plugins: Download Monitor and Genesis Easy Columns. There are many ways to do this and you can also do it without any plugins.
Download Monitor makes it easier to offer downloads from your site. You can upload files to your Media Gallery and keep track of downloads using this plugin.
I recommend saving your files as PDFs and you should also create a thumbnail for your library. I use Genesis Easy Columns to create columns that will make it easier to add the thumbnails. Despite the name, this plugin works with any theme. You don’t have to use a Genesis theme, but you will have to activate it by going to Settings > Easy Columns. The plugin lets you create between two and six columns.
I create the columns and then add the images in each column. After that, I add the download links that Download Monitor generates under each image.
I love using this method instead of creating a gallery with other plugins because I can also add text or images of different sizes.
Step 3: Add the link to your final welcome email
When your library is ready, all you have to do is add the link to your final welcome email. I’m using MailChimp, but you can probably do this with any newsletter software.
You can edit the forms from Lists/Signup Forms.
You can and should customize all your forms, but the lead magnet (your freebie or the library link and password) goes in the Final “welcome” email.
This is your chance to welcome your new readers and maybe write a bit about yourself and your blog.
That’s it! You now have a resource library full of valuable content that will determine your readers to sign up for your email list.
Every time you add a content upgrade to a new post, you only have to add the link to your signup form. You can find the URL under Signup Form.
Let me know if you have any questions. I’d love to help you!
Thanks for sharing this tutorial! I found it very helpful to create a resource library for my blog 🙂
This was so helpful! I had been looking for a long time and was not finding a post that explained this as clearly as you did. Thank you! Still trying to figure out the Genesis Easy Columns, does not seem to be showing up in editor after downloading. Do you still use this plugin? Thanks again!
I’m glad it was helpful, Katie. I’m still using Genesis Easy Columns. After you install and activate it, you should see 5 new icons in your editor’s toolbar. They are right after the Toolbar Toggle button. Let me know if it works.
The new icons did not show up in my editor toolbar, but that might have something to do with the theme I use. You’re advice was still extremely helpful. Thanks!
Thank you so much for sharing! I’ve been somewhat intimiadated to create my resource library! Through your steps, I set up the framework over breakfast. Can’t wait to start uploading more content now!
Thanks for your feedback, Ann-Marie! I’m so happy to hear that it’s easy to follow.
Thanks for creating this tutorial. It was extremely helpful.
You’re welcome, Balle. I’m really happy to hear that.
This was incredibly helpful! I was looking for a free, easy setup to start my resource library, and you provided it!
So glad to hear that, Nicki! There are easier ways to do this, but they involve premium plugins.
Exactly. I need as much FREE as I can find. I successfully set up my library. I’m so excited and grateful for your blog post!
Hello Cristina,
thank you for this amazing tutorial! I just want to ask you how to add images in the columns? Should I just pick how many columns I want and then just add images? I am quite struggling at this point. Thank you.
Have a nice day
Lucie
Hey Lucie,
When you insert the columns, it will generate something like this: [one-half-first][/one-half-first][one-half][/one-half]. This is the code for two columns.
Just move your cursor between [one-half-first] and [/one-half-first] and insert your images from the media gallery. You can also add text under each image. It’s just like writing a normal post, but you will have to add the content between the code for each column.
Let me know if you have other questions.
I am so lost on how to make the columns and make the thumbnail to go in the columns… Could you please clarify this as there are not instructions on this in this post. Thanks so much!
Jillynn
This post is amazing exactly what I was looking for! I’m launching my blog on Friday and have been wanting to create a resource library as an opt-in, but I was not sure how & this has answered all my questions! Thank you sooooo much!!!
You’re welcome, Mia! Good luck with your new blog.
This was SO helpful – thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome, Bethany! I’m glad to hear that.
This was so helpful, thank you! Can you explain how to add freebies without using plugins?
Thank you so much for this post. It is very helpful and insightful.
I just wanted to tell you, that this post was full of amazing content, no fluff! I absolutely loved it. This is the first time I have ever read one of your posts and I will be adding you to my go to list of bloggers. This is the exact info I was looking for at this time. I am currently putting the final touches on my blog and I am trying to figure out what to add as my opt in freebie and how. You have answered tons of questions I had and took all the confusion out of it in just one post. I can only imagine how the rest of your site’s content will be. I can not wait to dive into it.
xoxox
Thanks, Peggy! I’m glad you like it.
I just started my blog and was looking for a way to create a password protected freebie library.
This post was easy to follow.
Thank you so much Christina.
This is my first time on your blog and I’m definitely subscribing.
You are amazing!
Thank you so much, Grace! I’m glad it was helpful and easy to follow. Good luck with your blog!
Hey, Cristina! Gutenberg is out and it’s 2019 — would you still recommend this method? I found this article (though I’m already a subscriber!) through a Google search of how to add links to images in a gallery for offering free printables. Thanks for sharing your advice!
Thank you, I found this blog post very helpful! 🙂
Hi! Thank you for the great explanation! I was struggling to find a way to offer different stuff in an opt-in and could not figure a way. Creating multiple subscription forms with a different incentive seemed too complicated. Your solution is genius. Thank you.