While it is true that the best way to get leads today is through SEO, you should not at all ignore email list building it is still a powerful strategy if it is done correctly. To build leads through emails requires first and foremost a call to action on your website that is compelling enough so that users will leave you their email addresses. The best way to do this is to offer them something that they find valuable. You can, for instance, write a small report that gives information that users may feel is useful.
The next step for email list building is to come up with emails that users will actually want to open. The titles have to be clever and compelling otherwise your emails will just get trashed. Make sure that you nail the content each time if users even get the feeling that you are becoming boring or repetitive they will stop reading your emails. You have to make sure that every email that you send out has something that the recipients will find of value.
The other secret to email list building is knowing when to send emails first, stop emailing people every day no one is that interested in your products or your business. You must schedule your emails such that when users see it in their inboxes they are eager to open it. If you send emails too often they will be redirected to the spam folder or simply ignored.
Additionally, make sure that you give users the option to leave your email list should they wish to. Keeping people on there who do not wish to be just buys you ill-will. Make sure that you have software that can do this properly there is some that still sends out emails even after users have opted out which can be quite annoying.