How to Print Money from Your Email Unsubscribe List!
Let me be blunt.
You’re sitting on a goldmine, and you’re too polite to dig it up.
You have a list of people who unsubscribed from your emails. And you’ve probably been told to ignore them, delete them, or bury them in the deepest folder in your CRM.
But here’s the thing…
The best brands — the ones doing 8-figures and up — don’t play by those rules. They monetize EVERYONE. Even the unsubscribes.
You’re not here to make friends. You’re here to make money. And your unsubscribe list? It’s a list of people who already knew you existed and already raised their hand once.
That’s not trash.
That’s fuel.
Let’s talk about how to turn those unsubscribes into revenue with 4 cold-blooded, proven tactics I’ve used with top ecommerce brands.
Warning: #4 might make you uncomfortable. But it works.
Hack #1: Retarget Unsubscribers With Facebook & Google Ads
You’re already running ads to cold audiences, right?
Why? Because you want new eyeballs.
Cool. But here’s the issue — you’re paying top dollar to reach people who don’t know you, don’t trust you, and don’t care about you.
Meanwhile, you’ve got a list of people who do know you, once engaged with you, and probably even bought from you — and you’re ignoring them just because they said, “No more emails.”
That’s not rejection. That’s a pause. Don’t take it personally. Take it strategically.
Here’s what to do:
Export your unsubscribe list.
Upload it into your Facebook Ads and Google Ads as a custom audience.
Segment them:
✅ Past buyers who unsubscribed
✅ Cart abandoners who unsubscribed
✅ High LTV unsubscribers
✅ Churned customers who unsubscribed
These people already know your brand. So show up again with a killer offer. Run retargeting. Offer SMS signups. Rebuild the relationship — but this time, through paid channels.
Will this cost money? Yes.
Will it convert better than cold traffic? Also yes.
I’ll take a warm “no” over a cold “maybe” all day.
Hack #2: Direct Mail Isn’t Dead — It’s Underrated
Look, everyone is getting slammed with emails.
You know what they’re not getting?
Letters.
Cards.
Offers in the mail that feel personal.
That’s where direct mail vendors like Pebble Post come in. They let you upload your unsubscribers and send physical mail to their doorstep.
Yes, it’s going to cost more per contact than email.
But you don’t need volume — you need ROI. Here’s the game plan:
Split unsubscribes into:
High LTV buyers
One-time buyers
Non-buyers
Then create tailored mailers:
High LTV folks? Send them an exclusive loyalty discount or early access invite.
One-timers? Re-engage with a first-time buyer incentive.
Non-buyers? Hit them with a curiosity piece or a story-based postcard.
And always — always — track redemption with a unique code.
Want a cherry on top? Include a QR code to sign up for SMS. That leads us to…
Hack #3: Use Transactional Emails to Push SMS Signups
Here’s the sad truth:
Email is a leaky bucket.
No matter how good your content is, people will unsubscribe. But here’s what 99% of brands don’t realize:
Unsubscribing from email is NOT the same as opting out of your brand.
It just means email isn’t the right channel for them right now.
That’s where SMS becomes your best friend.
Here’s how to use transactional emails to win back unsubscribes:
Add SMS signup prompts into every order confirmation, shipping notification, and receipt.
Use banners or PS lines like:
“Want delivery updates and VIP offers? Tap here to get them via text.”Add SMS signups into your retargeting ads for unsubscribes.
“Not into email? Let’s text.”
You’ve already earned trust once. Now give them a better, faster way to hear from you.
SMS is intimate. Immediate. High converting.
If email is the house party, SMS is the 1-on-1 dinner. Treat it that way.
Hack #4: The Privacy Policy Power Move (You’re Not Supposed to Know)
This one’s going to piss people off. But it’s 100% legal. And it works.
Every time you update your privacy policy, you’re legally allowed — in fact, required — to notify everyone on your list.
Yes. Even unsubscribers.
That notification email is classified as transactional.
And here’s what the top 1% do:
They send the standard “Privacy Policy Update” email.
But they don’t just send a boring legal notice.
They send it with a PURPOSE.
Here’s what you do:
Segment it:
Subscribed users → Get the standard update.
Unsubscribed users → Get the update plus a re-subscribe link, SMS opt-in form, or exclusive comeback offer.
It’s a legal loophole that gives you 1 free shot each year to message your entire audience without breaking any rules.
Think of it like a free pass to get back in front of ghosts.
Use it wisely. Use it strategically. Use it ONCE a year, max. And don’t screw it up with spammy BS. Provide real value and give them a reason to come back.
(DISCLAIMER: I’m not a lawyer. You should talk to yours before doing this. But this tactic? It’s real. And it works.)
The Action Plan: Turn Your Trash into Treasure
Let’s recap:
Unsubscribes ≠ Useless.
They’re just saying “Not this channel.” Find the one that works.Segment. Always.
Buyers, non-buyers, churned — they all behave differently. Treat them accordingly.Multi-channel is non-negotiable.
Use paid ads, snail mail, and SMS to reconnect.Legal emails can still convert.
Use your Privacy Policy update wisely. It’s your secret weapon.
So now what?
Here’s your step-by-step:
Export your unsubscribe list.
Split it by behavior (buyers, cart abandoners, high LTV, churned).
Pick ONE hack to implement this week.
Track results, then double down.
If you do this right, you’ll create a second revenue stream that your competitors are too scared or too “compliant” to touch.
And while they’re deleting emails, you’re printing cash.
Want more plays like this from the big leagues?
Click here and I’ll show you how the top 1% use 10-figure email & SMS frameworks to grow fast — without guessing.
Let’s get to work.
Need help monetizing your unsubscribes? Let’s talk.
Take action now:
Book a Free Email & SMS Audit & Discover The True Revenue Potential of Your List >
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