Email Marketing for Beginners: How to Start a List (and Which Tool to Use)
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Social platforms can change their algorithms overnight. An email list is an audience you own. Here is how to start one, step by step, even with zero subscribers.
Step 1: decide what your emails are about
Pick one clear promise, such as "one practical networking tip every Tuesday" or "weekly trading journal review prompts." A specific promise makes people subscribe.
Step 2: create a lead magnet
A lead magnet is a free resource people get for subscribing: a checklist, cheat sheet, template or mini-course. Good examples for tech audiences:
- A printable subnetting cheat sheet
- A home lab shopping checklist
- A trading journal spreadsheet template
Keep it short and immediately useful.
Step 3: choose an email platform
Look for:
- A free plan large enough to start.
- Signup forms and landing pages included.
- Automations for a welcome sequence.
- Domain authentication (SPF/DKIM) for deliverability.
- Easy export in case you switch.
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is a popular choice for creators because its free plan has historically allowed a large number of subscribers and includes forms and landing pages, with automations and paid newsletters on paid tiers. Check Kit's pricing for current limits.
Compare alternatives in Kit vs Mailchimp vs Beehiiv.
Step 4: write a welcome sequence
Three emails is enough to start:
- Deliver the lead magnet and say what to expect.
- Share your story and your most useful article.
- Ask a question ("What are you studying for right now?"). Replies improve deliverability and tell you what to write next.
Step 5: add signup forms everywhere it makes sense
- At the end of every blog post
- On your homepage
- On a dedicated landing page you link from social profiles
Step 6: send consistently
Pick a schedule you can keep, weekly or every two weeks. Consistency beats frequency.
Rules to follow
- Only email people who opted in. Never buy lists.
- Include your physical mailing address and an unsubscribe link (required by the CAN-SPAM Act in the U.S.).
- Use a domain email address (you@yourdomain.com), not a free webmail address, for better deliverability.
Bottom line
Start with one promise, one lead magnet and one free tool. Your first 100 subscribers are the hardest, and the most valuable.