Email marketing from scratch means building a direct connection with your audience, sending them useful emails, and growing your business step-by-step. It’s about making friends online and turning those friendships into loyal customers. You can totally do this!
Hey there! Ready to make friends online and grow your business?
So, you’ve heard about email marketing, right? It sounds like a big deal, maybe even a little scary. You might think you need to be a tech wizard or a super-writer. But guess what? It’s not as tough as it seems!
Think of email marketing like having a friendly chat with people who already like what you do. It’s a way to share good stuff, answer questions, and build real trust. And the best part? It’s super effective for growing your business, even if you’re just starting out.
I’m Jack, and I’m here to make this super simple for you. We’ll go through it step-by-step, no confusing jargon, just clear, friendly advice. By the end, you’ll feel confident and excited to start your email marketing journey. Let’s dive in!
Why Email Marketing is Your Secret Growth Weapon
Imagine having a direct line to people who are genuinely interested in what you offer. That’s email marketing! It’s not just sending out blasts; it’s about building relationships.
Why is it so good? Well, unlike social media where algorithms can be tricky, your email list is yours. You own it. Plus, people check their email daily, making it a reliable way to reach them.
It’s also incredibly affordable. You don’t need a huge budget to get started. And the results? They can be amazing! Businesses that use email marketing often see a fantastic return on their investment.
Step 1: What’s Your Goal? (Why are we doing this?)
Before we send any emails, let’s think about what you want to achieve. What’s your big dream for your business or project?
Do you want more sales? More people to visit your website? To get more sign-ups for your freebie? Knowing your goal helps us send the right messages to the right people.
For example, if your goal is more sales, your emails might focus on special offers or new products. If it’s about building community, your emails might share helpful tips or behind-the-scenes stories.
Step 2: Build Your Email List (Your Awesome Friends!)
This is where the magic starts! Your email list is a collection of people who have given you permission to email them. They are your most interested fans.
How do you get them to join? You offer them something valuable in return for their email address. This is called a “lead magnet” or “opt-in freebie.”
Think about what your ideal customer or reader would love. Maybe it’s:
- A free guide or ebook
- A checklist or template
- A discount code for their first purchase
- Access to exclusive content
- A free trial of your service
You’ll need a way for people to sign up. This is usually done through a signup form on your website or landing page. We’ll talk about tools for this in a bit!
Step 3: Choose Your Email Marketing Tool (Your Helper!)
You don’t want to send emails one by one from your personal inbox – that would be a nightmare! That’s where email marketing services come in. They help you manage your list, create pretty emails, and send them out easily.
There are many great options, and most offer free plans to start. Here are a few popular ones:
| Tool Name | What’s Great About It | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp | Super user-friendly, lots of templates, good for beginners. | Small businesses, bloggers, freelancers just starting. |
| MailerLite | Generous free plan, easy drag-and-drop editor, good automation. | Startups, small businesses looking for value. |
| ConvertKit | Designed for creators, powerful automation, great for selling digital products. | Bloggers, authors, online course creators. |
| HubSpot CRM (Free Tools) | Offers free email marketing tools along with CRM, sales, and service tools. | Businesses wanting an all-in-one solution from the start. |
Don’t stress too much about picking the “perfect” one. Most of them let you try for free. Pick one that feels comfortable and start there!
For example, MailerLite has a really nice free plan that lets you send up to 12,000 emails a month to 1,000 subscribers. That’s a lot of emails to get you going!
Step 4: Craft Your First Email (Let’s Talk!)
Okay, you have your list growing and your tool ready. Now, what do you actually write?
Remember, this is a conversation. You’re talking to someone who wants to hear from you.
Here’s a simple structure for your first few emails:
The Welcome Email: Your First Hello
This is super important! When someone signs up, send them an email right away. This is your chance to make a great first impression.
Your welcome email should:
- Thank them for signing up.
- Remind them what they signed up for (e.g., “Here’s your free guide!”).
- Tell them what to expect next (e.g., “We’ll send helpful tips every Tuesday”).
- Introduce yourself or your brand briefly.
- Maybe ask a simple question to encourage a reply.
Subject Line Idea: “Welcome to the [Your Brand Name] Family! 🎉” or “Your Free [Lead Magnet Name] is Here! + A Special Hello”
The Nurture Email: Building Trust
After the welcome, you want to keep providing value. These emails build trust and show people you’re an expert or a helpful friend.
Share:
- Helpful tips related to your niche.
- Answers to common questions.
- Behind-the-scenes looks at your work.
- Stories that inspire or educate.
The goal here is NOT to sell. It’s to be helpful and build a connection.
The Promotional Email: When to Sell
Once you’ve built trust, you can start introducing offers. But don’t overdo it!
When you send a sales email:
- Make the offer clear and exciting.
- Highlight the benefits for the customer.
- Use a strong call to action (what you want them to do next).
- Keep it focused on one main offer.
A good rule of thumb is the 80/20 rule: 80% valuable content, 20% promotional content. It keeps your audience engaged without feeling constantly sold to.
Subject Lines That Get Opened (The Secret Sauce!)
Your subject line is like the headline of a newspaper. It’s what makes people decide whether to open your email or not. Make it count!
Here are some tips for writing great subject lines:
- Keep it short and sweet: Most people check email on their phones, where long subject lines get cut off.
- Be clear: Tell them what the email is about.
- Create curiosity: Ask a question or hint at something interesting.
- Use personalization: Adding the recipient’s name can boost opens.
- Use emojis sparingly: They can make your email stand out, but too many look spammy.
- Create urgency (sometimes): Phrases like “Last chance!” can encourage immediate action.
Let’s look at some examples:
| Type | Example Subject Line | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Curiosity | Did you forget something? 😉 | Hints at an abandoned cart or unfinished task, intriguing. |
| Benefit-Oriented | Unlock 5 Easy Ways to Boost Your Productivity | Clearly states what the reader will gain. |
| Personalized | John, your weekly [Your Topic] insights are here! | Directly addresses the reader, making it feel individual. |
| Urgency | Last Day: 20% Off Everything Ends Tonight! | Creates immediate need to act before a deadline. |
| Question | Is Your [Common Problem] Holding You Back? | Engages the reader by asking about their pain point. |
Step 5: Automate for Ease (Let Your Tools Do the Work!)
Once you have your emails written, you can set them up to send automatically. This is called email automation, and it’s a game-changer!
Most email marketing tools allow you to set up “sequences” or “workflows.”
A simple welcome sequence could look like this:
- Email 1 (Instant): Welcome & Deliver Freebie.
- Email 2 (1 Day Later): Share a popular blog post or tip.
- Email 3 (3 Days Later): Tell a story about your brand or a customer success.
- Email 4 (5 Days Later): Introduce a related product or service.
This way, new subscribers get a warm welcome and valuable content without you having to do anything extra each time someone joins. It’s like having a friendly assistant!
Step 6: Track Your Results (What’s Working?)
How do you know if your emails are hitting the mark? You check your stats! Your email marketing tool will show you important numbers.
Key metrics to watch:
- Open Rate: The percentage of people who opened your email.
- Click-Through Rate (CTR): The percentage of people who clicked on a link in your email.
- Unsubscribe Rate: The percentage of people who unsubscribed.
- Bounce Rate: Emails that couldn’t be delivered (usually due to a bad email address).
Don’t get too hung up on perfect numbers at first. The goal is to see improvement over time. Good starting points to aim for:
| Metric | Good Starting Goal | What it Means |
|---|---|---|
| Open Rate | 20-25% | People are interested enough to open your emails. |
| Click-Through Rate (CTR) | 2-5% | Your content or offers are compelling enough to get clicks. |
| Unsubscribe Rate | Less than 0.5% | Your emails are generally welcome and not annoying. |
If your open rates are low, try different subject lines. If your CTR is low, make your calls to action clearer or your content more engaging. It’s all about learning and adjusting!
Step 7: Keep Learning & Growing!
Email marketing is a journey, not a destination. The more you learn, the better you’ll get.
Here are some great resources to keep you going:
- HubSpot Academy: They offer free courses on email marketing and digital marketing that are super helpful. You can find them at academy.hubspot.com.
- Mailchimp’s Blog: Mailchimp has tons of articles and guides on all things email marketing.
- Google Analytics: To understand how traffic from your emails affects your website, you can learn more at analytics.google.com/analytics/academy/.
Experiment with different types of emails, analyze what works best for your audience, and most importantly, have fun with it!
Frequently Asked Questions (Your Quick Answers!)
Got more questions? No worries, we’ve got you covered!
How can I start email marketing with no money?
Many email marketing services offer free plans for beginners. MailerLite and Mailchimp are great options. You can also create your lead magnet yourself using free tools like Canva. Focus on providing value, and your list will grow!
How do I write subject lines people click?
Keep them short, clear, and intriguing. Personalize them with the recipient’s name if possible. Ask a question or create a sense of curiosity. Always make sure the email content delivers on the subject line’s promise!
How often should I email my list?
There’s no single right answer! It depends on your audience and what you’re sending. For most, once a week or once every two weeks is a good starting point. Consistency is key, but always prioritize quality over quantity. Make sure every email is valuable!
How do I know if my email is working?
Track your open rates and click-through rates. Are people opening your emails? Are they clicking the links inside? Also, pay attention to replies and how your audience engages. If people are responding positively, your emails are working!
How do I stop my emails from going to spam?
Only email people who have explicitly asked to hear from you (opted in). Use a reputable email marketing service. Avoid using spammy words in your subject lines or email body. Keep your emails focused and valuable. Regularly clean your list of inactive or invalid addresses.
What if I’m not a good writer?
Don’t worry! Email marketing is about being authentic and helpful, not writing a novel. Use simple, everyday language. Imagine you’re talking to a friend. You can also use templates provided by your email service to help structure your emails.
How long should my emails be?
Short and sweet is usually best, especially for mobile readers. Aim for paragraphs of 1-3 sentences. Get straight to the point. However, if you have a great story or in-depth information, a longer email can work if it’s engaging and well-formatted with headings and bullet points.
You’ve Got This! Your Email Marketing Adventure Awaits!
See? Starting email marketing from scratch isn’t so scary after all. You’ve learned how to set goals, build your list, pick the right tools, write friendly emails, and even track your success.
Every email you send is a chance to connect, to help, and to grow. It’s about building genuine relationships that can lead to amazing things for your business.
Don’t wait for “perfect.” Just start. Grab one of those free tools, create a simple offer, and send out your first welcome email. You’ll learn so much as you go.
I’m cheering you on! Go make some awesome connections and watch your business bloom. You’ve totally got this!