Starting An Email List: 5 Important Questions for Beginners to Consider
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Starting an email list as a beginner is a creative and direct way for bloggers and writers to be able to communicate with their community in an immediate and timely fashion. I am subscribed to many email lists/newsletters that I constantly open because each one provides valuable tips and opportunities I can learn from.
Since starting an email list is a great way to grow, it has been on my mind for a while now. I tooled around with Mailchimp a couple of years ago but, since I was not sure why I was starting an email list, I quickly lost interest.
During the past few months, especially after switching my blog to self-hosted, I have regretted not having an email list. A newsletter or email is more direct way to share news that cannot wait or calls for submissions.
I often submit poems and short stories to literary magazines and journals. I also frequently come across calls for blog guest posts. Sometimes the calls for guest posts are for blogs that do not suit what I am writing about, or magazines are searching for poetry and short stories I am not inspired to write.
Related: A Poet’s Guide to Successfully Submitting Poetry Online
I would love to help spread the word about calls for submissions that do not suit me but that I know would suit many of you. Unfortunately, I have realized news of a new blog or magazine you all might have loved to submit to only gets out when I share my publication news, by which time submission windows are usually closed.
A burning desire to start an email list, coupled with Convertkit’s September Grow Your Audience Challenge (now closed), gave me the nudge I needed to get started. So far the best thing about the Challenge is I am loving entering new waters alongside a community of people all doing the same thing!
If you are looking to start an email list or newsletter for your creative site or blog, here are four points to consider if you are starting an email list as a beginner!
Why are you starting an email list?
Starting an email list as a beginner means you have to ask yourself some important questions. Without a focus you might, like me, lose interest in the venture and come full circle to regret it later. Consider why starting an email list is a good fit for your blog or creative site and, importantly, how your email list will provide extra content to help round out what you write about.
How will your email list provide value to your readers?
Having a blog or creative site means you are already most likely writing about what you are passionate about. Ask yourself what kind of writing and extras your newsletter will provide that will not only add more value to your blog/site focus, but also provide value to your community in an on-point and useful way.
Starting an email list as a beginner: What platform will you use?
There are dozens of email marketing providers you could use. Among the many, I am familiar with
- Mailchimp. Free up to 2,000 subscribers, the anywhere from $10 to $300 a month
- Mailerlite. Free up to 1,000 subscribers, then anywhere from $10 to $50 a month
- Convertkit*. Free up to 1,000 subscribers, then anywhere from $29 to $59 a month
- Flodesk. $38 a month
When exploring your email marketing options, consider how much time you have to learn how to use a new platform. (Tip: Mailchimp is a little more complicated than Convertkit, in my experience.)
Explore your options by not only checking out each provider’s site and blog, but also by reading reviews of each email marketing service by other bloggers and writers. If you can, ask the opinion of the #writingcommunity and #bloggingcommunity on Twitter and in relevant Facebook groups. Also reach out to your personal blogger and writer friends and ask their opinion and advice about the platform they use!
How will you promote your email list?
The best thing about email lists is, after starting your email list, it will keep growing as long as you promote and share it with your community and friends. While hopefully the people who frequent your blog or creative site will sign up to your email list, it is entirely possible their friends and readers, or even people you do not know yet will sign up too. So, get the word out by sharing your email list consistently across your social channels and do not forget to create a sidebar widget or pop-up for your blog/site!
What kind of opt-in will you use?
An opt-in can be anything from a free guide, poem, short story, spreadsheet, course, or checklist that offers the same level of advice and expertise as your blog/site. You can create more than one opt-in and use each one on a different landing page or sign-up form, as well as send your opt-ins out later to spice up your emails. I created a handy checklist in Canva aimed at helping you edit poetry, but it can also be used to edit blog posts, short stories, and guides!
How and why I will be using my email list
I look forward to using my email list to share calls for submissions for everything from poetry to short stories to blog guest posts instantly and efficiently with all of you. I think this will help broaden and include more of the amazing scope of talent I find and love on new blogs, websites, and in the literary issues I read released by small presses, magazines, and journals.
Related: The Emerging Poet’s Guide To Finding Amazing Literary Magazines + list
I will also be using my email list to share a monthly round-up of the poetry and blog posts I read during the month that stuck with me, news of writing I have had published that does not make it into a blog post of its own, and free downloadable writing-and-blogging related checklists and info-graphs.
Having an email list will enable me to do this, as I think it is important to support, encourage, and share opportune moments with the bloggers and writers who support me. I am hopeful the Nin Chronicles Newsletter will be a helpful and informative venture!
I have set a goal of gaining 100 subscribers to my email list during September. I would love it if you could help me meet my goal! If the Nin Chronicles Newsletter sounds like something you would like to be part of, please sign up here! Your support means the world to me. Do not forget to click the confirmation email you will receive after signing up.
Do you have an email list? Do you plan on starting an email list? What platform will you use?
Tell me below!
Laura
This was so helpful. I’ve had a newsletter for a few years, and I love getting feedback on it. I want to do better and get more subscribers. So it helps to get tips from others.
Layla Todd
Glad you found this useful, Laura!
Alicia from Nourishing Foods.Tasty Meals
Hi Jaya. It’s so great you mentioned the importance of an email subscription form and I don’t have one on my blog. Part of it due to me being clueless about how to set up one. But thanks for this helpful post. Very informative. Appreciated.
mel @ literally mel
This is great advice. I have been toying with the idea of building an email list but am still in the beginning stages of my blog so am unsure what the goal for that would be at this point for my content. I’ll definitely be referring to this post as I continue blogging and get a better idea of what I might build an email list to do.
hacketthillfarm
Mail lists are so important for bloggers. I have struggled to really grow mine over the past year, but within the last month I have started to dig in deeper with new methods of promotion.
Chip
Jaya,
I have been monkeying around with mailchimp for a few of years. Thank you for the concise summary on pricing of the various providers. I may need to change things up a bit and get a little more serious about my email list!
Chip
loveemblogger
These are great tips. I like mailchimp for the free subscribers but I feel like it’s not too easy to customise. I haven’t thought about switching until this post. Thank you for these great tips and though provoking ideas. It’s important to have a mailing list as a blogger! Em x
debsf92
Thank you for sharing these tips. I am looking to try and get my email list going and never know where to start.
Charity
Yes having an email list is so important. I need to get better at using mine though lol
Mariana
This was so helpful! Even though I’ve been blogging for more than a year, I’m only now trying to work on my email list and I can tell how important it is. Thanks for sharing 🙂
traveladdictedunicorn
I have been using ConvertKit since the beginning and it is really easy to use and I do like it…I just wish it was a bit cheaper. It is probably my biggest monthly blogging expense!
Andrea's Book Corner
This is such an interesting read! I don’t have an email list yet but it’s something I’m considering. Really good information not just for beginners too. Thanks for sharing!
hellotherelayla
I’ve been toying with the idea of starting an email list and a newsletter. Thank you for this blog post that you have shared with us. Such a handy guide! 🙂
Layla | http://hellotherelayla.com
Financial Liberty
I was just thinking of starting an email list, so this was super helpful! Thanks!
It’s nice that a lot of the mailer services are free at first. We’ll see if I can even get past 1,000 subscribers :p
Jaya Avendel
🥰 One thousand subscribers is a long goal, so it is nice to have time to reach it.
simplyalexjean
This post is so well timed – I’ve got a bunch of email list content planned out for the rest of the year (the first I’m ever done so!) and now I’m starting to plan out gathering more subscribers to that email list! I’m definitely going to refer back to your tips – thanks!
Jaya Avendel
I am so pleased you found this at the right time. Best of luck! 🙂
the hot goddess
Thank you for the helpful info! Great post.
Basic With Life
Such a useful post, thank you. I wish I had included a mailing list when I first started my blog (along with activating the comments feature), I think I was lacking confidence at the time. I don’t have many subscribers now but I do have a goal to change that. This blog post will be super helpful. Thanks 😊
Jaya Avendel
Blogging is a journey we learn from every step of the way and goals are a great guiding force! Best of luck and may the words flow. 🙂
Melissa Kacar
This is such a helpful post! Email lists are a great way to stay connected and have more of a direct contact with your readers. I plan on (finally) going self hosted with my blog soon, so this is very helpful! I’m going to sign up for your list now, thank you for sharing! 🙂
Jaya Avendel
I am so excited to see what your new site will look like, Melissa! Do not forget to click the confirmation email if you join my newsletter. 🙂
Jordanne || Ofaglasgowgirl
A great post! Thank you for sharing, I was working hard on my email list but life got in the way the past month which has seen it out on the back burner. Thankfully getting more time to work on it the past few days now. This is great for anyone thinking about starting one.
thetravelvine
I’m loving this post! In the past few weeks, I’ve started to put more effort into growing my email list. It’s great for promoting new posts, especially when I’m writing for a few online magazines so I can let people know about these articles too. The challenge you did with growing your email list sounds awesome, I’ll have to look out for that in the future 🙂 good look in hitting 100 subscribers 🙂 Can I ask you, I’m currently using Mail Chimp, and it’s okay, but I’m thinking of switching and as you’ve also switched from Mailchimp to Convertkit, I just wondered how is it better?
Jaya Avendel
Yes! Being able to share side publications directly as one of the things I am most looking forward to using my email list for.
It took me a couple days to figure out how to use Mailchimp’s automations and workflows. With Convertkit, the set-up is very simple and is almost intuitive for me to learn. I think Mailchimp’s email outlays are probably better, so my best advice would be to create a Convertkit account and try it out before deciding whether or not it is for you. 🙂
thetravelvine
Good advice. Thank you 🙂
Farah Al Zadjaly
This is sooo soo good to know. Its really helpful and something I needed.
lynnmumbingmejia
Great post! I admit, I have neglected my email list but want to do a better job of it! Great goal of gaining 100 this month! Just subbed x
Lynn | https://www.lynnmumbingmejia.com
Jaya Avendel
Thanks kindly, Lynn!
Raji (@journeyintofantasy)
Thanks for sharing this great post! Starting an email list is something I’ve been considering for the future, so this is really useful information!
cafebeauty2021
I definitely need to start my mailing list! I keep putting it off, but it’s really something I should do so thanks for the tips xx
Alexis| http://cafe-beauty.com
Sara James
I just subscribed to your emailing list. I am using my Wix site emailing system.
Thanks for sharing another helpful article in such a simple way, Jaya.
Good luck with your subscribers. xx
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Sara! Do not forget to click the confirmation email! <3
Caroline
I also found MailChimp super confusing, so I switched to ConvertKit! I think I signed up to yours on Facebook 🙂
Dating Bitch
I’m surprised that you found Convert-Kit easier to understand, I had no trouble with Mailchimp and I’m a total technology spaz lol. But I agree, it’s great to have goals and intentions for your mailing list. I use mine to share updates and announcements but also to send out a monthly newsletter and hopefully keep readers engaged.
Jaya Avendel
I’m subscribed to yours and love your updates! Goals help determine the platform used too, I think. <3
Siobhan (@veganbabelife)
Great post thanks for sharing! Siobhan ♡ | Vegan Babe Life
Eri Tz
I am glad cause this post found me the right time. I plan on starting my mailing list in September so this was super useful!
cherbelle
Loved this ! 😊 I am currently using Mailerlite and I enjoy it so much ! Having an opt-in like a free printable makes it so much easier to get people to subscribe to your mailing list !
Gemma Jayne
Great and very useful post! I did actually sign up to ConvertKit and then I didn’t do anything about it because I got scared haha.
I think I need to think about what I would include and have in my mail and what I would give to my readers! I do really want to do it though so this is a great post that got me thinking thank you xx
Jaya Avendel
Love that you found this helpful, Gemma! I hope you find some answers and ignite the spark, if it is the right move for you. 🙂
Kelly Diane
These are great points you’ve mentioned. Like you, I started my mailing list further down my writing journey than I should have. I now feel like I’m playing catch up with growing my email subscriptions.
Jaya Avendel
🙂 I feel ya, Kelly, but it is a fun thing to grow! Best of luck.
Della Driscoll
This is a very important post lovely! I’ve been thinking about starting an email list for ages but have never got around to it xx
Ruth| Ruthiee loves Glamour
Hello Jaya! This post is so spot on. These are all great points to consider before starting an email list. I signed up to your newsletter already by the way! For me, one of the most important reasons to have a mailing list is because a mailing list is 100% yours. The followers you have on social media are not really yours if you look at it from a critical angle. If something happens to those social media, all your followers would be lost and also, on social media, you function based on the social media algorithm but your mailing list will keep you going if social media decides to go extinct. You own your mailing list and you control it as well. I have a mailing list and I think that’s one of the best things a blogger needs to have. Thank you for sharing x
Jaya Avendel
I am subscribed to yours too, Ruth, so thank you for joining mine! 🙂
I cannot agree more that a mailing list is mine; it is something I can control down to the size of the font and I love that about it.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Anika
So interesting! I have always wondered whether or not to start my own mailing list, so I’m glad I found this post. Also love that you included the price points, that’s super helpful in making a decision. Thanks for sharing!
Jaya Avendel
Delighted to be of help, Anika!
femaleoriginal
This is so exciting! I’ve had a mailing list for a while but, it’s only quite recently, that I’ve been working on it behind-the-scenes to really make it feel like my brand 🙂
https://www.femaleoriginal.com
Jaya Avendel
Best of luck and may it grow beautifully! <3
Sophie | Love and Literature (@Love_Lit_Blog)
I don’t currently have a mailing list, but this is definitely something I’m considering for the future x
A Sustainably Simple Life
This was super helpful, Jaya! I have been wanting to find some free email services. We started an email list from the get-go, but were just using Gmail because I thought all of the options out there were paid ones. Sadly when I got Covid, maintaining the email list was too much for me so I’ve let it go. I’m really hoping to restart it again maybe at the start of the new year.
Jaya Avendel
Many mailing list options are free, but only up to a certain subscriber count. I definitely think it is a good way to start out! I hope, if you give it another go, it works out beautifully. 🙂
Corinne
I started a mailing list too! I need to grow mine a bit more as I don’t have many subscribers.
I’ve already signed up to yours 🙂
Corinne x
Jaya Avendel
Thank you, Corinne! I am subscribed to yours as well. 🙂
Lisa's Notebook
I’m at the stage where I’ve been considering starting an email list for sharing tips and the occasional freebie alongside new blog post notifications, for example. I’ve been too busy at work to devote the time to this but it’s something that I plan to try and set up next year. This is a very helpful post, Jaya, thank you, I’ve bookmarked it for future reference, and I have also signed up to your newsletter and am waiting for the confirmation email to confirm! x
Jaya Avendel
I feel like starting an email list is definitely something you reach in stages! While it can be time consuming, I think it is also another fun way to communicate with people.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and for subscribing! It means a lot to me. 🙂
Mariella
I really want to start an email list but I have no idea what I could offer people in a weekly email that is based on what I blog about! Perhaps I could share the book reviews I don’t publish on the blog—I don’t know! Perhaps you have a suggestion? 😅
Jaya Avendel
I love the idea of sharing unpublished content in an email list! Also, perhaps if you come across fun tidbits about people of interest that might not suit a blog post, you could include those too? <3
Alicia Thompson
Hello! I loved this post. It’s so important to have an email list! Great advice. I currently use the mailerlite platform and I love everything about it. Alicia
Jaya Avendel
I love your emails, Alicia, so thank you for sharing the platform you use to create them. 🙂
Elle
I might just be the only blogger who didn’t know about an emailing list haha but it sounds really worthwhile. Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention and sharing this with me lovely. Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
Jaya Avendel
Absolutely! I am pleased you found this helpful, Elle. 🙂
Jodie | That Happy Reader
A very resourceful post Jaya! I use wordpress for my email right now and it meets my needs but I can certainly see why a professional writer such as you would need something more. Thanks for sharing.
Michelle (Boomer Eco Crusader)
Thanks for sharing these tips Jaya. I don’t have an email list other than through WordPress. I started to look at one but didn’t follow through. One of these days I’ll get back to it.
Jaya Avendel
I have started and dropped it many times too, Michelle, so when the time is right it will happen. 🙂
Lauren
Some bloggers that I follow have email lists. I have seen so many people share positive reasons why you should start a mailing list. I currently do not have a mailing list, but I have thought about possibly setting one up in the future so this blog post has been super helpful.
Thank you for sharing.
Lauren – bournemouthgirl
Jaya Avendel
I am so pleased, Lauren, that you found this helpful! <3
summer with monika
More great advice!
Ingrid
This sounds like a good idea, Jaya, especially as at means even if you leave WordPress, you won’t lose your audience! I’ve signed up 🙂
Jaya Avendel
I had not thought about the leaving WordPress angle, Ingrid, but you share an excellent point! Thank you, and don’t forget to click the confirmation email. 😊😉