How To Get Your First 100 Email Subscribers As An Executive Function Coach
- Sean G. McCormick
- Jun 17
- 7 min read
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If you’ve ever felt like growing your executive function coaching practice meant waiting around for referrals, this article is for you.
You’ll learn exactly how to build your first 100 email subscribers so you can take control of client growth, increase your income, and stop whispering into the void every time you launch a new offer.
This guide will walk you through why an email list matters, what holds most coaches back, and a simple process to get your first 100 email subscribers.
Let's get into it 👇
Why It Matters To Have An Email List As An Executive Function Coach
You Can Stay Connected With Your Audience
An email list keeps you top-of-mind with the people who matter most to your business.
Whether it’s a parent you supported last year or a neuropsychologist who might refer to you again, email gives you a direct way to stay helpful and relevant without chasing down individual conversations.
You Can Sell Offers Without Exhausting Yourself
Instead of explaining what you do one person at a time, email lets you promote your webinars, blog posts, templates, or coaching packages to everyone at once.
It’s a way to multiply your reach without multiplying your hours.
That means more income and less burnout.
You Have a Safety Net No Matter What Changes Online
Social media platforms and search engine algorithms change constantly, but email is stable.
If Instagram tanks your reach or your website traffic dries up, your email list still works.
It’s a digital safety net you actually control.
You Build a Reputation Instead of Just a Profile
Every email you send is a chance to teach, support, and show your personality.
Over time, your audience starts to see you as a consistent, go-to expert.
That kind of brand trust isn’t built overnight, but email speeds it up by putting you in someone’s inbox week after week.
3 Reasons Why Executive Function Coaches Fumble The First 100 Email Subscribers
Reason 1: Fear Of New Tools
Many coaches freeze the minute they hear the words “email platform.”
They picture endless tabs, confusing automations, and a tech nightmare they can’t undo.
So they do nothing.
Or, they overthink the platform choice, trying to research their way to a perfect decision.
But the reality is they’re all pretty similar. Pick one and get moving.
Reason 2: Feeling Too Salesy
Some coaches think email feels transactional or cold.
They worry about sounding pushy or spammy.
So instead, they do everything manually and never scale their impact.
In reality, email is how you share your best ideas and stories.
It’s serving at scale.
Reason 3: Not Understanding the Customer Journey
Many coaches don’t realize that their clients need to build trust before making a decision.
They move through a journey from awareness to loyal customer, where trust is built in between.
For executive function coaches, it can look something like this:
A good email strategy walks them through this journey without pressure, and uses stories, value, and timing.
5 Ways To Get Your First 100 Email Subscribers As An Executive Function Coach
1. Start With Your Network
Make a list of every parent, educator, or professional you’ve worked with.
Add in colleagues, friends who ask for advice, and anyone who has referred someone to you.
Use a spreadsheet to input their names and emails.
This is your seed list.
You can use my pre-made "Dream 100" spreadsheet included in my CEO Dashboard Template. Download it here.
2. Choose And Set Up Your Email Service Provider
There are many options that you can choose from in terms of email delivery services.
Don’t overthink it.
I use Mailerlite which is free for under 1,000 subscribers.
You can sign up for an account with Mailerlite here.
Other popular softwares are Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or Flodesk.
All you need is a name and email to get started.
Once signed up, import your spreadsheet contacts.
Here is a guide on how to import your spreadsheet contacts into Mailerlite:
Step 1: Log in and go to Subscribers
Log in to your MailerLite account.
Click “Subscribers” in the top menu.
Step 2: Create a Group
Click “Groups” and create a new group for your imported contacts (example: “Coaching Interest List”).
This helps you organize and send targeted emails later.
Step 3: Click “Add Subscribers”
In the Subscribers tab, click “Add Subscribers” then choose “Import from file.”
Step 4: Upload Your Spreadsheet
Upload your CSV or Excel file.
Make sure your file includes at least a column for email and a name (optional but helpful).
Step 5: Match Columns
MailerLite will ask you to confirm which column is which.
For example, column A = Email, column B = Name.
Make sure the data is matched correctly.
Step 6: Assign to Group
Select the group you just created to assign the new contacts.
Click “Finish Import.”
Step 7: Confirm Your Subscribers
After importing, your contacts may show as “unconfirmed.”
Send them a simple welcome email, like the one in the next step, and ask them to confirm their subscription if needed (MailerLite does this automatically if double opt-in is turned on).
3. Send Your First Campaign
Write a simple message that tells your seed list that you’re starting a newsletter.
Let people know:
Who it’s for
What they’ll get out of it
How often you’ll send it
Include an unsubscribe link and make sure it comes from a professional email address tied to your website.
Here's an example of what this welcome email could look like:
Hi [First Name],
I’m reaching out because you’ve been part of my journey as an educator, parent, or professional.
I’m launching a monthly email newsletter to share the tools, tips, and strategies I use in my work as an executive function coach.
This newsletter is for people like you: educators, parents, and professionals who want practical ways to support those struggling with focus, follow-through, time management, and organization.
You’ll get:
✅ Actionable ideas you can use right away
✅ Free templates and resources I use with clients
✅ Updates on webinars, coaching spots, and courses
I’ll send it once a week on Wednesdays at 10 a.m. PT. You can unsubscribe at any time.
If this sounds helpful, keep an eye out for the first one next week.
All the best,
[Your Name]
[Your Professional Email tied to your website]
Unsubscribe here ➡️ [Insert unsubscribe link]
4. Set a Consistent Newsletter Cadence
To avoid ghosting your list or sending sporadic updates, use a simple template each time and send the newsletter on a consistent schedule.
I recommend the PAS format:
Pain
Start with a pain your audience feels
Agitate
Illustrate the pain with a relatable story
Solution
Share a helpful solution
Include a link back to your blog or a helpful tool.
Your newsletter acts as a bridge, guiding readers back to your website where they can dive deeper into the topics you introduce.
Once there, they naturally explore your offers.
The funnel looks something like this:
5. Continue Inviting People
Keep inviting people to join your newsletter in different ways.
Put a newsletter sign-up form on your website.
Offer a lead magnet, like a free planner template or student self-assessment.
Every time someone downloads it, they join your list.
To learn how to set up your first lead magnet, check out my article: How To Build Your First Lead Magnet as an Executive Function Coach 🧲
Also be sure to mention your newsletter at the end of every webinar, in your email signature, and on your social media.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need to be a tech expert or marketing guru to get your first 100 email subscribers. Here's 5 ways to get started now:
Make a list of current and past contacts
Choose an email service provider
Import your list and send a clear, value-based first email
Use a newsletter template like PAS for consistency
Promote your newsletter regularly with lead magnets and links
Hope this helps! 🤙🏻
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About Me
Hey! I'm Sean 👋
I'm a former public school special education teacher who realized that executive function skills are more important than knowing when George Washington crossed the Potomac.
Since then, I've made it my mission to teach anyone who will listen about how to develop these key life skills.
In 2020, I founded Executive Function Specialists to ensure all students with ADHD and Autism have access to high-quality online executive function coaching services. We offer online EF coaching and courses to help students and families.
Realizing I could only reach so many people through coaching, in 2021 I started the Executive Function Coaching Academy which trains schools, educators, and individuals to learn the key strategies to improve executive function skills for students.
In 2023, I co-founded of UpSkill Specialists, to provide neurodivergent adults with high-quality executive function coaching services.
When not pursuing my passions through work, I love spending time with my family, getting exercise, and expanding my brain through reading. You can connect with me on LinkedIn.