How To Get Your First 100 Email Subscribers As An Executive Function Coach
Updated: Sep 24
If you are an executive function coach without an email list, you’re losing opportunities to stay connected with people who could become your next clients.
In this post, I walk you through why an email list matters, how an email list contributes to the customer journey, and 5 steps to get your first 100 email subscribers.👇
Table of Contents
Picture this: You meet a parent at a workshop who loves what you have to say.
They take your card, tell you they’ll reach out, and then… nothing.
Six months later, they need an executive function coach, but your name has disappeared into the black hole of people they once met.
An email list keeps that connection alive.
  Â
If you’ve ever felt like growing your executive function coaching practice meant waiting around for people to find you, this article is for you.
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 contact 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 Go High Level.
Other popular softwares are Mailerlite, Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or Flodesk.
All you need is a name and email to get started.
Once signed up, import your spreadsheet contacts.
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:
âś… Actionable ideas you can use right away
âś… Free templates and resources I use with clients
âś… 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 lead magnet.
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 seed 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! 🤙🏻
FAQs
How often should I email my list?
Start with once a week or every other week and choose a schedule you can realistically maintain. Consistency matters more than sending emails constantly.
What should I write about if I run out of ideas?
Use questions, struggles, and patterns you hear repeatedly from clients, parents, educators, or referral partners. One useful question can easily become an email with a quick story, strategy, and next step. This article on how to turn coaching sessions into content may help.
When should I start promoting my coaching services to my email list?
You can mention your services from the beginning as long as your emails regularly provide useful content. A simple invitation to learn more or book a call gives interested readers a next step without turning every email into a sales pitch.
This article is a part of the larger category of:
Related Articles:
Want support in getting you first 100 email subscribers?
Consider joining hundreds of educators and professionals who have completed our executive function coaching certification and are building profitable executive function coaching practices using their teaching experience.
You'll gain all the tools, templates, and techniques you'll need as a coach, plus you'll make new friends and have a community you can rely on to grow and learn. Learn more.Â
Here is one of our favorite reviews. You can read all recent reviews on this page.Â
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.