Email 1K
Review

Master Email List Building From Zero to 1,000 Subscribers

Easy
  • Last updated 03/09/2025
by Noah Kagan

What you'll learn ? Overview

We dove into Email 1K expecting another generic list-building course, but what we found was Noah Kagan's signature no-BS approach to email marketing. This 30-day challenge takes you from zero to (potentially) 1,000 email subscribers through daily, bite-sized action steps.

Here's what immediately caught our attention: this course used to sell for $7-10 on AppSumo, yet Noah now offers it completely free. Why? We discovered it's his strategic lead magnet, introducing people to his broader ecosystem (smart move, honestly).

The program breaks down into three core phases: first, you'll spend a week on foundations, including choosing your niche and creating a compelling lead magnet. Next comes the "low-hanging fruit" phase where you tap into existing networks. Finally, you'll implement scalable growth tactics like guest posting and strategic partnerships.

What sets this apart from the countless free email marketing guides floating around? Structure and accountability. Each day delivers one focused task, preventing the overwhelm that kills most beginners' momentum. We particularly appreciated how Noah strips away the fluff, every lesson drives toward action, not theory.

The course features Noah's characteristically energetic teaching style (at times even a bit theatrical), which you'll either love or find slightly grating. But here's the thing: his approach works because it pushes you to actually implement rather than endlessly consume content.

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Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

👉

Time commitment

light Light (1–5 Hours/Week)

👉

Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

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Goal

Learn A New Skill

Best suited for:

Aspiring bloggers, new entrepreneurs, freelancers starting their online presence, anyone who needs a structured introduction to email marketing without information overload

Instructor

Noah Kagan

Serial Entrepreneur and Digital Marketing Expert Legitimacy Score: 9/10
Noah Kagan is a prominent figure in the digital entrepreneurship and marketing landscape. As the founder of AppSumo, a platform offering software deals for entrepreneurs, Kagan has significantly impacted how startups and small businesses access digital tools. His expertise spans product management, digital marketing, and business growth strategies, which he shares through various channels including his popular YouTube channel and podcast.
Kagan's career is marked by notable roles at tech giants and successful ventures. He served as employee #30 at Facebook and #4 at Mint.com before its acquisition by Intuit. In 2010, he founded AppSumo, which has since grown to serve over a million customers. Kagan's entrepreneurial journey includes founding several other companies and initiatives, showcasing his ability to identify market opportunities and build successful businesses.
• Grew AppSumo to $100 million in annual revenue
• Amassed over 1 million subscribers on YouTube
• Published 'Million Dollar Weekend', a book on rapid business launching
• Featured in Forbes 30 Under 30 list
• Developed 'OkDork', a widely-read marketing blog and newsletter
• Keynote speaker at SXSW Interactive
• Guest on Tim Ferriss Show podcast
• Speaker at Hustle Con
• Interviewed on Mixergy podcast
• Presenter at Growth Marketing Conference
Kagan is highly active across multiple social media platforms. He regularly posts on YouTube, offering business advice and entrepreneurial insights. His Twitter feed is a mix of personal anecdotes, business tips, and engagement with his audience. On Instagram, he shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of his work life and personal adventures.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration30
  • 📶 DifficultyEasy
  • ⌛ Access Lifetime
  • ⏰ Time investmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

None (designed specifically for complete beginners)


💻 Requirements

Computer or laptop, stable internet connection, basic web browser


💸 Hidden Costs

Email service provider required (MailerLite, ConvertKit, etc.). While many offer free tiers, expect $15-50/month as your list grows. Optional tools mentioned but not required.


🙋‍♂️ Support Options

Self-paced format with no dedicated support community or live Q&A. Email support available but reportedly slow to respond.

Course content

  • Module 1: Entrepreneur Bootcamp & Panning for Gold
    • The 10 Commandments of Effective Entrepreneurship
    • Six idea-generation exercises
    • Narrowing down to ideas with highest ROI and enjoyment
  • Module 2: Validating Your Idea
    • Testing viability of your idea
    • How to conduct audience research
    • Getting your first paying customer
  • Module 3: Scaling Up
    • Turning small wins into a $1,000/month business
    • Growing and maintaining your email list
    • Automation and next steps for scaling

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Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

Overwhelmingly positive feedback dominates the conversation around Email 1K, with users consistently praising its practical approach and exceptional value. Most reviews acknowledge that while the tactics aren't revolutionary, the structured delivery makes all the difference for beginners who need clear direction.

Praised points

  • Action-oriented structure that forces daily implementation rather than passive learning
  • Unbeatable value, especially now that it's free (previously sold for $7-10)
  • No-fluff delivery style that cuts through typical marketing course padding

Criticisms

  • Content feels basic for anyone with prior email marketing experience
  • Some tactics too aggressive for certain personal brands (like cold outreach methods)
  • Support can be slow or unresponsive when technical issues arise

Testimonials

"Best Course EVER." - AppSumo User

"IMPRESSIVE! Didn't find something Unique... but extremely useful and actionable." - AppSumo User

"I could never access this course. Atrocious support!" - Verified Purchaser

"Validating my ideas and getting feedback helped me build momentum." - Redditor

"If you follow the steps, you'll get results, even as a complete beginner." - Quora User

Social insights

Reddit discussions in r/juststart and r/marketing reveal interesting perspectives. One user noted, "For $10 it was a steal. It's a curated list of his best blog posts and tactics in a step-by-step plan." Another countered, "It's good for motivation, but a lot of it is common sense marketing. Don't expect magic secrets." The consensus? Perfect for beginners who need structure, less valuable for intermediate marketers.

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

The headline promise of "1,000 email subscribers in 30 days" requires context. We found this achievable for highly motivated individuals with existing networks or content, but unrealistic for complete beginners starting from scratch. Most users who diligently follow the program report 100-300 subscribers in their first month, still a solid foundation.

Price History

Originally launched at $10 on AppSumo as a lifetime deal. Transitioned to free in recent years as Noah shifted focus to using it as a top-of-funnel lead magnet.

Upsell Practices

Minimal and non-aggressive. Upon enrollment, you'll receive occasional emails about AppSumo deals and Noah's other products, but no hard sells within the course itself.

Student Success

Ryan Robinson (prominent blogger) credits the course with jumpstarting his list-building strategy. While individual results vary widely, the tactics taught are proven industry standards when consistently applied.

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

Hosted on email1k.com using a clean, distraction-free interface. Videos are embedded from YouTube/Vimeo with accompanying text summaries.

Content Accessibility

All lessons accessible on-demand through the student dashboard. Videos stream only (no downloads), but text summaries provide offline reference.

Mobile Compatibility

Fully responsive design works well on smartphones and tablets. Video playback and text formatting adapt seamlessly to smaller screens.

Technical Requirements

Standard internet connection for video streaming. No special software needed beyond a modern web browser.

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

The most significant complaint isn't about content quality but rather technical access issues. Some users report problems logging into the course platform and frustratingly slow customer support responses (we found multiple instances of this across different review platforms).

😬

Refund policy issues

Not applicable since the course is free. When previously sold through AppSumo, it fell under their standard 60-day money-back guarantee with no reported issues.

😬

Marketing practices

Transparent and straightforward. Noah positions the free course as a lead magnet for his broader ecosystem, which is standard practice. The "1,000 subscribers in 30 days" promise is ambitious but presented as a goal, not a guarantee.

😬

Community feedback

No major red flags emerged from community discussions. The primary concern revolves around certain growth tactics feeling too aggressive for some personal brands, which is more about strategic preference than course quality.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At its current price point (free), Email 1K offers exceptional value. We compared it to paid alternatives in the $97-297 range and found it covers 80% of the same material with better structure. Even at its former $10 price, the ROI potential far exceeded the investment for anyone who implemented even half the lessons.

Conclusion

After thorough analysis, we can confirm Email 1K is absolutely legitimate and worth your time if you're starting from zero. Noah Kagan's track record (founding AppSumo, scaling multiple seven-figure businesses) lends credibility, while the course itself delivers practical, implementable strategies.

Is it revolutionary? No. Will you discover secret tactics unknown to experienced marketers? Definitely not. But that's not the point. Email 1K succeeds because it takes widely available information and packages it into a structured, motivating 30-day journey that actually gets beginners to take action.

The free price eliminates any risk, making this a no-brainer recommendation for anyone serious about building an email list. Just temper your expectations, the 1,000-subscriber goal is ambitious for most beginners, but even reaching 200-300 subscribers provides a solid foundation for future growth.

Our only caution: some tactics (particularly cold outreach methods) might feel too aggressive depending on your brand voice. Feel free to adapt or skip strategies that don't align with your values.

FAQs about this course

While marketed with a 1,000-subscriber goal, most complete beginners achieve 100-300 subscribers in their first 30 days. Reaching 1,000 requires significant daily effort and often an existing network to tap into.

The fundamental principles of value exchange and relationship building remain timeless. While specific platform features evolve, core strategies like lead magnets, guest posting, and community engagement still work effectively.

No. Most email service providers offer free tiers for up to 1,000 subscribers. While Noah mentions various AppSumo tools, they're optional enhancements, not requirements.

Plan for 30-45 minutes per day to watch the lesson and complete the action item. Some tasks (like guest post outreach) may require additional time.

If you have fewer than 100 subscribers, you'll still find value. With more than 100 subscribers, consider more advanced courses unless you need structure and motivation.

No. While some strategies involve cold outreach, you can adapt or skip these based on your comfort level and brand voice without derailing your progress.

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Email 1K Review
$ 0
Total score: 8,0/10 ⭐
  • Duration30
  • DifficultyEasy
  • Release Date01/2014
  • Format Self-Paced or Challenge
  • AccessLifetime
  • Time InvestmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
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At IsThisCourseLegit, we're committed to providing objective and transparent evaluations. Our rating system is based on rigorous criteria evaluated by experienced entrepreneurs who have built and sold successful online businesses.

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Email 1K Review