Build Your Email System

Let’s make one thing clear:
📩 Email is not optional — it’s essential.

Unlike social media platforms that can change their algorithm tomorrow or suspend your account next week, email is your owned channel. You control it. You nurture it. You sell through it.

More reasons to love email:

• High conversion rates: Email outperforms social in actual sales.

• Direct relationship: No algorithm in the way.

• Scales with you: From 10 subscribers to 10,000+ — same cost, same flow.

• Longevity: A tweet lasts minutes. A good email? Forever in someone’s inbox.

Before You Begin: Choose a Simple Tool

Don’t overthink it. Pick one, set it up in 15 minutes, move on.

For SWM, I recommend:
✅ Beehiiv for content-focused creators
✅ MailerLite for offer-focused sellers

3 Types of Emails You’ll Send

1. Lead Magnet Delivery Email

Right after someone signs up to get your freebie (checklist, mini-ebook, template…), send them a warm, helpful welcome.

Example:

Subject: Your free “Client Onboarding Checklist” is here

“Hey [Name],

Here’s the resource I promised you.
Just one thing — don’t just download it. Use it.

I’ll send a few short emails to help you apply it. Cool?

– [Your Name]”

This sets up expectation and future contact.

2. Product Introduction Sequence (a.k.a Nurture to Offer)

After delivering the freebie, send 3–5 follow-up emails that:

• Introduce who you are

• Share your story & experience

• Teach something useful

• Then mention your product

💡 Don’t hard sell. Be conversational, helpful, human.

Structure:

You can automate this with simple workflows inside Beehiiv or MailerLite.

3. Weekly or Bi-Weekly Newsletters

This is your long-term game.

Each week (or every 2 weeks if you’re busy), send an email with:

• A short personal insight

• A helpful lesson or tip

• A link to your new blog/video/product

• A reminder of how you help people

Keep it friendly and imperfect.
Your goal? Show up consistently.

Pro tip: Name your newsletter. It feels more like a product.
Example: The Solo Dispatch, Creator’s Corner, Build in Public Weekly

A Simple Funnel to Start With

Don’t get lost in funnels and automation flows.
Just start here:

1. Lead Magnet Page → collects email

2. Delivery Email → sends the freebie

3. Nurture Sequence (3–5 emails) → tells your story, builds trust

4. Paid Offer (optional) → pitch soft product

5. Weekly Newsletter → long-term engagement

That’s it.

🎯 Focus on quality > quantity.

10 real readers who open and reply > 1,000 dead subscribers.

My Email Mistakes (So You Don’t Repeat Them)

Let me save you months of frustration.

Metrics to Watch (But Don’t Obsess)

Only focus on these when you’re ready:

• Open rate: Aim for 40–50% when starting

• Click-through rate: >5% is great

• Replies: This is gold — real humans talking to you

Ignore unsubscribes. Seriously. They weren’t your people.

Final Tips to Make It Stick

• Write your emails like a 1-on-1 convo, not a broadcast

• Reuse your blog/social content in emails — don’t reinvent

• Keep a swipe file of emails you love (Gmail labels work wonders)

• Most of all: don’t ghost your list

  • Inconsistent = forgettable

  • Consistent = trusted

FAQ – Email System for Beginners

How soon should I start building an email list?
Immediately — even if you only have 3 subscribers.

Do I need a website?
Not at first. A landing page from Beehiiv, ConvertKit, or MailerLite is enough.

What do I say in my emails?
Tell stories, teach small lessons, share behind-the-scenes. Be useful.

How often should I email my list?
Once per week is ideal. Every other week works too — just be consistent.

Do I need a fancy email design?
Nope. Plain-text or lightly formatted emails often perform better.

Next Step: Now, Launch your product