15 Email List Building Strategies For Startup Fashion Brands

Unlock the secrets to email list success for your start-up fashion brand. From exclusive content offers to social media savvy, discover 15 powerful strategies to grow your audience and increase your sales. Your Brand’s journey to email marketing excellence begins here.

Growing your email list as a fashion designer and brand owner involves a mix of creative and strategic approaches. In the competitive world of fashion, building a strong email list is crucial for reaching and engaging with your audience and potential buyers. 

Email is an effective tool to celebrate new products, announce special offers, thank your buyers, educate your audience, and build a brand loyalty among your customers. Here are 15 potential strategies to consider.

1. Exclusive Content Offers:

Provide your audience with a reason to join your email list by offering exclusive content. This could include fashion tips, trend insights, or early access to new collections. 

Make your emails valuable and entertaining. That gives your potential audience a clear incentive to subscribe.


2. Social Media Integration: 

Leverage the power of your social media platforms to promote your email list. Create engaging posts that highlight the benefits of subscribing, and consider offering social media-specific incentives to encourage sign-ups. 

Social media is an excellent tool for efficiently reaching a broader audience and driving traffic to your capture page or sign-up forms. 

3. Referral Program: 

Implement a referral program where current subscribers can invite friends to join the email list. Offer rewards to both the person referring and the new subscriber.

This created a win-win situation. It’s a strategy that not only encourages existing subscribers to remain engaged but also expands your reach through word-of-mouth.

4. Pop-Up Forms on Website: 

Utilize pop-up forms on your website strategically. Ensure they appear at well-timed intervals and are not overly intrusive. 

These pop-ups should effectively communicate the value of subscribing to your email list. They can help create a positive user experience.

5. Collaborations and Partnerships: 

Partnering with other brands or influencers in the fashion industry can significantly boost your email list. Collaborators can help promote your list to their followers, and you can help promote their list to your followers.

This exposes your fashion brand to a new and potentially interested audience. It can expand your reach and help build your loyal audience.

6. Giveaways and Contests: 

Host giveaways or contests that require email sign-ups for entry. The prizes should be enticing and relevant to your brand. An automatic prize might be an instant site-wide discount. 

This can attract new individuals who are genuinely interested in your products and create a positive bonus for joining your list.

7. Segment Your List: 

As your email list grows, you should segment it. The segments can be based on interests, purchase history, or engagement level. 

This allows you to send more targeted and relevant emails to your customers. It can also help you identify which customers are your most profitable, and which ones are not active purchasers. More targeted and relevant emails enhance the subscribers experience, make it more personal, and can increase the likelihood of conversion.

8. Offline Opportunities: 

Take advantage of offline events like fashion shows and pop-up shops to collect email addresses. Use sign-up sheets or tablets for quick digital sign-ups.


This ensures you capture a touch point for those attending in-person events. These lists can be very valuable because you have already had a personal interaction with the individual.

9. Email-Only Promotions: 

Reward your email subscribers with exclusive promotions, discounts, or access to limited edition products. This fosters loyalty among existing subscribers and rewards them for joining your list. 

It also encourages others who want this exclusive access to your brand. By joining your list they become like members who get special offers and attention.

10. Engaging Content: 

Regularly send out high-quality and engaging content. You don’t always have to be selling something to your audience. 

Some interesting and non-sales oriented content can include behind-the-scenes looks, designer notes, or insights into the fashion industry. Compelling content encourages subscribers to participate and share your emails. This can expand your reach organically.

It also builds a stronger connection between them and your brand. They don’t feel like you are always selling them something, so they will be more attentive when you are selling. 

11. Leverage Customer Reviews and Testimonials: 

Incorporate customer reviews and testimonials into your emails. This builds trust, increases authenticity,  and encourages your audience to get involved.

Real user testimonials are an important form of persuasion because they are not coming from the seller. It can enlighten potential buyers with authentic insights about your products and help create a sense of community around your brand.

12. Website Optimization: 

Optimize your website with clear and compelling calls to action for email sign-ups. Utilize banners, footer forms, or integrate sign-up prompts during the online checkout process. The goal is to be able to capture an email address from every interested viewer that comes to your website. 

13. Participate in Online Forums and Communities: 

Engage in fashion-related forums and online communities to establish your presence. Share your expertise, subtly promoting your email list as a valuable resource for those interested in staying updated on industry trends.

Participate in the group, and respond to others. When people feel that there is a connection, they will want to explore your brand and sign up for your list.

14. Create a Lead Magnet: 

Develop a high-value lead magnet. This can be an exclusive eBook on fashion trends or it can be a special discount code for first-time subscribers. 


A lead magnet serves as an attractive incentive for potential subscribers to provide their email addresses. They are getting immediately rewarded for subscribing to your list.


15. Use Paid Advertising: 

If your budget allows, invest in targeted advertising on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Google. Target and reach out to potential subscribers who are interested in fashion. 

They are more likely to be attracted to your products and engage with your brand. Test each platform to measure which one gives you the best return for your spending level.

You cannot overlook the importance of email. It is an active way to stay personally connected to your audience, sell products, and build brand loyalty. 

By implementing some of these email list building strategies, you will expand your reach and also create a community of engaged subscribers who are eager to connect with your startup fashion brand.

What’s your breakthrough fashion concept? If you feel you have an idea that may have some promise, schedule a free strategy call and let's talk about it. You may have discovered a niche and a fashion product that could become a successful start-up and the fashion business of your dreams.

Stuck on product Production? At V.Mora we can help you through the entire production process from designing, to sourcing and so on through our Production Development services. If you are in need of the following Development and Production services: 

  • Sourcing 

  • Technical sketches   

  • Pattern Making

  • Prototype making 

  • Sample Making

  • Fittings 

  • Digitizing and Grading

  • Marker Making

  • Manufacturing


Please contact us at: vmorainquiry@vmora.com

About the Author

Fashion expert, Allison Howmann, graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology where she majored in Fashion Design and Minored in International Trade and Marketing. She has spent over 6 years in the NYC Fashion Industry utilizing her Design and Marketing skills. Allison has worked with several successful brands to help create their winning fashion development, small business operations, and sales and marketing strategies. You can find her creating original content on the V.Mora blog and the V.Mora Instagram.

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