What to Send Your Email List When You’re Just Starting Your Blog
If you’ve ever stared at a blank screen, wondering what to send to your email list, you’re not alone. It’s one of the most common questions we hear from bloggers inside the Ultimate Blog Roadmap.
So in this episode of the Ultimate Blog Podcast, we’re kicking off a three-part email series to help you grow your list with purpose – starting with what to send when you’re just getting started. Read on to take the pressure off and make email feel a little more doable!
Why Start an Email List
Unlike social media platforms, your email list is a platform you own, right alongside your blog. That’s a big deal. Your blog and email list are your digital home base, and they work best when they work together. So even if you only have five people on your list, it’s still worth it to show up and start building that connection.
Not Sure What to Say? Start Simple
It’s completely normal to feel awkward writing your first few emails. You might feel like it needs to be polished and professional, but here’s the truth: your subscribers just want to connect with you. They signed up for a reason, and they’re not expecting perfection. So give yourself permission to write the email, hit send, and keep going. The more you do it, the easier it gets.
What to Send to Your Email List: 3 Easy Ideas to Start With
Here are three simple types of emails you can send right away – no complicated templates or marketing degrees required.
1. A Friendly Welcome Email
If you haven’t already, set up at least one welcome email that introduces who you are and what your blog is about. This helps set expectations and lets your subscribers know what kind of content they’ll be getting, and what day of the week. Keep it short, simple, and friendly – no need to write a novel.
2. Ask for Feedback
Want to know why people signed up? Ask them! Add a question at the bottom of your email like, “Hit reply and tell me why you signed up – I’d love to hear from you.” This helps you get to know your audience, encourages replies (which is great for email engagement!), and builds a stronger connection from the start.
3. Share a Story or Behind-the-Scenes Peek
Email is a great place to be a little more personal than you might be on your blog. Share a story about why you started blogging, what you’re currently working on, or a moment from your journey. This helps your readers connect with the real person behind the blog – and that connection is what keeps them coming back.
Want more help with storytelling in your email? Check out Episode 178: Why Storytelling Matters and How to Do It Well with Jessica Graham, and Episode 179: The Neuroscience of Storytelling and Why Our Brains Crave Stories with Susan Lovett.
Bonus Idea: Send a Quick, Helpful Tip
This one’s especially easy if you already have a few blog posts live. Pick one small, helpful tip related to your niche and share it in your email with a link back to your blog post or freebie.
For example, if you’re a food blogger, share your favorite five-minute meal prep trick. Budget blogger? Send a simple spreadsheet you love using. Mom blogger? Offer a quick parenting tip to make mornings smoother.
Don’t Wait for a “Bigger List”
One of the biggest mistakes new bloggers make is waiting until they have more subscribers before they start emailing. But here’s the thing: your subscribers don’t know how many people are on your list. Whether it’s 3 people or 300, those subscribers are there because they want to hear from you. Start now, and let your voice and strategy grow as your list does.
Give Yourself Permission to Send B- Work
We love what Jillian Leslie says about email: “Just send B- work.” That might sound weird at first, but if you wait to write the “perfect” email, you might never send anything at all. Yes, you’ll make mistakes. You might even send the same email twice (we’ve done it!). It’s okay. That’s part of the process, and your audience doesn’t expect perfection – they just want connection.
Tips to Stay Consistent
Here are a few tips to help you stay consistent with your email list:
- Commit to sending one email a week
- Don’t overthink every sentence
- Plan your emails a month at a time if it helps you stay on track
Know that email might feel hard at first, but it does get easier. Your only real mistake is never sending the email at all. Happy emailing!
In this episode, we covered:
- Why you should start an email list
- How to get started when you’re not sure what to write
- Why asking for feedback from your subscribers is a good thing
- How to share a story or behind-the-scenes look in your emails
- Why you shouldn’t wait for a bigger list or the perfect email to get started
Links and resources mentioned in this episode:
- Grab our free guide, Your First 500 Subscribers: A Simple Guide to Growing Your List with Purpose
- Try Kit for email marketing
- Enroll in the Brand Blueprint course for ChatGPT
- Episode 178: Why Storytelling Matters and How to Do It Well with Jessica Graham
- Episode 179: The Neuroscience of Storytelling and Why Our Brains Crave Stories with Susan Lovett
- Check out last week’s episode on creating passive affiliate income with Dr. Tonya Lawson!
We hope you loved this episode on what to send to your email list when you’re just starting your blog! Please leave us a comment and let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode!
