Why You Need an Email List (and how easy it is to start one)

If you’ve been on the fence about starting an email list for your business or creative project, consider this your friendly nudge to take that leap! Creating and growing an email list might sound intimidating, but trust me – it’s not only totally doable but can actually be enjoyable with the right tools.

Why Email Lists Matter (Even When You Already Have Social Media)

Let’s tackle the big question: with all our social platforms, why bother with email?

Social media platforms come and go (remember Vine? MySpace?), algorithms change overnight, and suddenly that audience you worked so hard to build might not even see your posts anymore. It happens to the best of us!

But your email list? That’s all yours. Nobody can take it away from you or change how you reach those people. When someone gives you their email, they’re literally inviting you directly into their personal space. That’s incredibly powerful!

Some quick stats that might surprise you:

• Email marketing has an average ROI of $42 for every $1 spent (that’s a 4,200% return!)
• Email is 40x more effective at acquiring customers than Facebook and Instagram combined
• 59% of consumers say marketing emails influence their purchasing decisions

The Magic of Direct Connection

When someone follows you on social media, they’re basically saying “I’m mildly interested in what you do.” But when they join your email list? They’re saying “I want to hear directly from you.” That’s a whole different level of connection!

This direct line means:

• You can share more personal, in-depth content that builds real relationships
• You can nurture connections over time without fighting an algorithm
• You can make offers without competing with thousands of other posts
• You can deliver value right to someone’s inbox, where they already spend time

For those of us who struggle with consistency or get overwhelmed by social media’s constant demands, email can be a more manageable, meaningful way to connect with your audience.

How To Set Up Your Email List (It’s Easier Than You Think!)

Starting an email list has never been simpler. Gone are the days of complicated technical setups or coding knowledge. Today’s email platforms are designed for normal humans, not tech geniuses!

Here’s how easy it can be:

1. Choose an email service provider (more on my favorites below)
2. Create a simple sign-up form
3. Add the form to your website or share the link
4. Write and send your first email

That’s it! Four steps to launching your email marketing. You can literally get this done today!

MailerLite: Perfect for Getting Started

When you’re just beginning, I highly recommend MailerLite. Here’s why it’s so great:

The pros of MailerLite:

• Free up to 1,000 subscribers (perfect for testing the waters without risk!)
• Easy-to-use interface that doesn’t overwhelm you with options
• Beautiful drag-and-drop editor that makes creating emails simple
• Automation capabilities even on the free plan (most free plans don’t offer this!)
• Clean, modern templates that look professional with minimal effort
• Landing page builder included at no extra cost
• Great deliverability rates (meaning your emails actually reach inboxes)

Compared to something like Mailchimp (which many people start with by default), MailerLite is much more intuitive and less cluttered. While Mailchimp has become more complex and expensive as they’ve added features, MailerLite has kept their focus on being simple and user-friendly.

The simplicity factor cannot be overstated – especially if you’re neurodivergent or have limited time and energy to spend learning new systems. MailerLite just makes sense from the moment you log in!

Scaling Up: Why Flodesk is Worth the Investment

As your list grows beyond 1,000 subscribers, most email platforms charge you more and more (ouch!). This is where Flodesk shines with their flat pricing model:

Flodesk advantages:

• Flat $38/month regardless of list size (this is HUGE for scaling without stress!)
• Absolutely gorgeous templates that make your emails look custom-designed
• Incredibly intuitive interface that’s actually enjoyable to use
• No overwhelming options or confusing menus to navigate
• Beautiful form designs that encourage sign-ups
• Workflows for automation that are visual and easy to understand

Honestly, if you can start with Flodesk from the beginning, go for it! The flat rate pricing means you never have to worry about your email marketing costs suddenly jumping up as you grow – which happens with nearly every other provider out there.

Why Using Systems You Love Actually Matters

Here’s something I’ve learned the hard way: if a system feels difficult or unpleasant to use, you simply won’t use it consistently. That’s just human nature!

Flodesk turns email marketing from a dreaded chore into something you might actually look forward to. When creating an email feels as simple as making an Instagram post, you’re much more likely to show up in your subscribers’ inboxes regularly.

This is especially important if:

• You have ADHD and struggle with task initiation
• You’re a “spoonie” managing limited energy
• You’re a busy parent juggling a business and household
• You have a 9-5 while getting your business up and running
• You find technology overwhelming sometimes
• You’re a visual person who gets frustrated by clunky interfaces

The beauty of Flodesk is that you can literally just click around and figure it out without watching endless tutorials. Everything is where you’d expect it to be. The learning curve is practically non-existent!

Building Systems That Set You Up For Success

The tools we choose for our businesses shape our day-to-day experience in profound ways. When we build systems we genuinely enjoy using, magical things happen:

• We actually use them consistently (imagine that!)
• We feel confident and competent in our business
• We save precious mental energy for creative work
• We create more content with less struggle and resistance
• We connect more authentically with our audience

This translates directly to business growth. The more consistently you email your list, the stronger your connection with subscribers becomes, the more they trust you, and ultimately, the more likely they are to buy from you. It’s a beautiful cycle!

Getting Started: Your Simple Action Plan

If you’re convinced and ready to dive in, here’s your super simple action plan:

1. Choose your platform: MailerLite (free to start) or Flodesk ($38/month)
2. Create one simple opt-in form: Just ask for name and email to start
3. Place the form on your website: As a footer, sidebar, pop-up, or just link to the form!
4. Create a welcome email: Keep it brief and friendly, setting expectations
5. Plan your first few emails: Think about valuable content you can share

Remember, you don’t need fancy lead magnets or complex automation sequences to start. The most important thing is to begin collecting emails and communicating with your audience. You can always add those bells and whistles later!

You’ve Got This! (For Real Though)

Email marketing is one of the most effective, direct, and reliable ways to build relationships with your audience and grow your business. And there’s never been an easier time to start than right now.

Choose a system that feels good to use – one that makes you excited rather than anxious – and you’ll be much more likely to stick with it. Your future self (and your business bank account) will thank you for starting your email list today!

What if this time next month, you already had your first 50 subscribers? What if by the end of the year, you had an engaged community of people who absolutely love hearing from you? These possibilities are within your reach!

The hardest part is just getting started. Choose your platform, set up that first form, and send that first email. Your perfect audience is out there waiting to hear from you – and I know they’re going to love what you have to say!