Build a direct path back to the people already paying attention to you. One useful free thing. One simple opt-in page. Three follow-up emails.
A free resource from Philipe Reis
Why this exists
YouTube paid me more than $30,000. Then a platform change wiped more than 2,000 of my videos.
If all my money had been sitting on that channel, I would have been done. My email list was still there, so I could still reach people, launch something, and make sales.
The money lesson: build the direct relationship while the platform is still helping you.
You do not need a giant list. You need a clear reason for one person to give you their email, and a useful reason for them to keep opening what you send.
// What is inside
Part 1The exact 3-step setup.
Part 2A copy-paste opt-in page.
Part 3Your first 3 emails, written out.
// The exact setup
The 3-step platform-proof setup
1
Make one free thing that solves one expensive problem.
Pick one person, one painful money problem, and one useful result they can get without hiring you first.
2
Put it on one simple opt-in page.
Explain the result, show what is inside, and give the visitor one action. No menu. No second offer. No long life story.
3
Ask for the email so you can deliver it.
Do not ask people to "join a newsletter." Ask if they want the specific resource that fixes the specific problem.
// Step 1
One free thing. One expensive problem.
Your free resource does not need to solve the whole business. It needs to solve the first costly piece well enough that the reader trusts you with the next one.
Pick the problem with this filter
It is specific. The right person knows immediately that it is for them.
It touches money. It loses sales, wastes paid time, causes underpricing, delays a decision, or sends money toward the wrong fix.
It has a small first win. The reader can leave with a decision, script, checklist, calculation, or finished draft.
It leads somewhere honest. Your paid offer, service, or next email solves the next part of the same problem.
Simple rule: if the title needs the word "and," the resource is probably trying to solve too much.
Use this one-sentence test
Copy and fill in
The [RESOURCE NAME] helps [SPECIFIC PERSON] get [SPECIFIC RESULT] without [EXPENSIVE PAIN].
Three examples
For creators
The Sponsor Offer Checklist helps creators review price, usage rights, and deliverables before accepting a brand deal.
For freelancers
The Scope Creep Reply Pack helps freelancers answer extra-work requests before unpaid work grows.
For a local business
The Missed Lead Follow-Up Scripts help a local business restart conversations with people who asked for information but did not buy.
These examples show the structure. They are not performance claims.
Build your free thing here
One-page build sheet
WHO IT IS FOR
[One specific type of person]
THE EXPENSIVE PROBLEM
[The money, time, sale, or decision this problem affects]
THE SMALL RESULT
[The useful thing they will finish or decide]
THE FORMAT
[Checklist / template / script / calculator / swipe file / short guide]
THE RESOURCE NAME
[Clear result] + [clear format]
THE FIRST ACTION INSIDE
[The first thing the reader should do]
THE NEXT PROBLEM
[What they will need help with after the free result]
THE HONEST NEXT STEP
[Your service, product, reply question, or next useful email]
Done test: a stranger can understand the promise in one sentence, use the resource without calling you, and finish one clear action.
// Step 2
One simple opt-in page
The page has one job: turn the right visitor into a subscriber by making one clear promise. Keep the order below.
A small label that says what the free thing is.
A headline with the useful result.
One sentence that names the expensive problem.
Three bullets showing exactly what is inside.
One email field and one button.
A short line explaining that it is free and delivered by email.
Copy-paste opt-in page template
Full page copy
[FREE CHECKLIST / TEMPLATE / SCRIPT PACK / GUIDE]
Get [SPECIFIC RESULT] without [EXPENSIVE PROBLEM]
Use this free [FORMAT] to [SMALL USEFUL RESULT] before you [COSTLY OR RISKY NEXT STEP].
Inside, you get:
- [USEFUL ITEM 1]
- [USEFUL ITEM 2]
- [USEFUL ITEM 3]
Email address
[BUTTON: SEND ME THE [RESOURCE NAME]]
Free. Delivered by email. Unsubscribe anytime.
Example with the blanks filled
Creator example
FREE SPONSOR CHECKLIST
Review your next brand offer before you accept the price
Use this free checklist to check the money, usage rights, and deliverables before you say yes to a sponsor.
Inside, you get:
- The details to request before quoting
- The rights and deliverables to check
- A simple reply structure for your counteroffer
Email address
[BUTTON: SEND ME THE SPONSOR CHECKLIST]
Free. Delivered by email. Unsubscribe anytime.
What the form must do
Collect the email address.
Add that person to the correct list or tag.
Show a clear confirmation after the form is submitted.
Send Email 1 below with the real resource link.
Leave these off: a long navigation menu, multiple offers, a vague "learn more" button, a required phone number, and claims you cannot prove.
// Step 3
Make the ask for the email
People are not looking for another newsletter. They are looking for a result. Lead with the free result, then explain that you need their email to send it.
Platform post
→
Opt-in page
→
Email 1
→
Emails 2 and 3
Spoken call to action
Video, podcast, or live
I made a free [FORMAT] for [SPECIFIC PERSON] who want to [SPECIFIC RESULT] without [EXPENSIVE PROBLEM]. It gives you [ITEM 1], [ITEM 2], and [ITEM 3]. Use the link, enter your email, and I will send it to you.
Written call to action
Caption, post, or description
Trying to [SPECIFIC RESULT] without [EXPENSIVE PROBLEM]?
I put the exact first step into a free [FORMAT].
Inside:
- [ITEM 1]
- [ITEM 2]
- [ITEM 3]
Get it here: [OPT-IN PAGE URL]
Test the path before you share it
Open the opt-in page on your phone.
Submit the form with an email address you control.
Confirm the subscriber reached the correct list or tag.
Confirm Email 1 arrived and every link opens the right page.
Read all three emails once with every placeholder replaced.
// Ready to copy
Your first 3 follow-up emails
This sequence does three jobs in order: deliver the promise, help the reader use it, and show the honest next step.
[RESOURCE NAME] Your free thing.
[EXPENSIVE PROBLEM] The costly problem it starts to fix.
[SMALL RESULT] The first useful win.
[PAID RESULT] The next result your offer delivers.
Email 1Send: immediately after opt-inJob: deliver
Deliver the resource and point to one action
Email 1 copy
Subject: Your [RESOURCE NAME] is here
Preview text: Open it and do the first step now.
Hey [FIRST NAME],
Here is the [RESOURCE NAME]:
[OPEN THE RESOURCE: RESOURCE LINK]
You asked for this because [EXPENSIVE PROBLEM] is getting in the way of [WANTED RESULT].
Start with [FIRST ACTION FROM THE RESOURCE]. When you finish, you will have [SMALL CONCRETE OUTPUT].
Do not file this away for later. Open it now and finish that one action.
If anything is unclear, reply and tell me where you got stuck.
Talk soon,
[YOUR NAME]
PS. In the next email, I will show you which part of [PROBLEM] I would fix first.
Email 2Send: the next dayJob: create the first win
Help them find the expensive part
Email 2 copy
Subject: Fix this before you spend more on [THING]
Preview text: Find the expensive part of the problem first.
Hey [FIRST NAME],
Before you buy another tool, hire someone, or add more work, answer one question:
Where is [PROBLEM] touching the money?
Look for one of these:
1. A sale you are losing
2. Paid time you are wasting
3. Work you are doing without charging
4. Money going toward the wrong fix
Open the [RESOURCE NAME] again:
[RESOURCE LINK]
Use [SECTION OR STEP] and write down the one cost you want to stop first. Do not fix everything. Pick one.
Reply with your answer in one sentence.
Talk soon,
[YOUR NAME]
Email 3Send: two days after Email 2Job: offer the next step
Bridge the free win to the paid result
Email 3 copy
Subject: Your next step after [RESOURCE NAME]
Preview text: The free resource starts the job. Here is what comes next.
Hey [FIRST NAME],
The [RESOURCE NAME] helps you [SMALL RESULT].
That is the first win. The next part is [NEXT PROBLEM].
You can keep doing it yourself with [DIY METHOD]. If you want help getting to [PAID RESULT], that is what [OFFER NAME] is for.
It is built for [SPECIFIC PERSON] who want to [PAID RESULT] without [EXPENSIVE PAIN].
See the next step here:
[OFFER LINK]
If now is not the right time, keep the free resource and use it. That is why I made it.
Talk soon,
[YOUR NAME]
PS. If you are not sure whether [OFFER NAME] fits, reply with your situation and I will tell you honestly.
Before these emails go live: replace every bracket, use one real link per main action, remove any sentence you cannot prove, and send the full sequence to yourself first.
// Build order
Your launch checklist
Copy this checklist
[ ] Pick one specific person
[ ] Name one expensive problem
[ ] Choose one small useful result
[ ] Build the free checklist, template, script, calculator, or guide
[ ] Paste the opt-in page copy
[ ] Connect the form to the correct list or tag
[ ] Paste Emails 1, 2, and 3
[ ] Replace every bracketed placeholder
[ ] Add the real resource link and next-step link
[ ] Submit the form yourself
[ ] Check the page and emails on your phone
[ ] Share the opt-in page where your audience already sees you
// The final rule
Do not overbuild this.
The free thing proves you understand one costly problem. The page makes one clear promise. The emails deliver, help, and point to the next honest step.
Build the list while the platform is helping you. Waiting until the reach disappears is the expensive way to learn this.