In a world full of flashy TikTok trends and constantly changing social media algorithms, you might think email is a bit old school. But here is a secret: email marketing is still one of the most powerful ways to grow a business.
Why? Because it’s the only platform where you truly own the relationship with your audience. No one can shadowban your email list.
If you are a beginner looking to understand how this works, you’re in the right place.
What Is Email Marketing?
At its simplest, email marketing is using email to send messages to a group of people who have given you permission to contact them. It’s not just about selling; it’s about building a relationship.
A Real-Life Example:
Imagine you have a favorite local coffee shop. One day, you sign up for their VIP Club by giving them your email. A week later, they send you a note: Hey! We just roasted a new batch of Ethiopian beans. Here is a 10% discount to try a cup this weekend. That’s email marketing. It’s personal, timely, and brings value directly to your inbox.
How Email Marketing Works
You don’t just open your Gmail and start BCC’ing 500 people. Here is the professional (and legal) way it happens:
Build a List: You collect email addresses through your website, social media, or in-person using a “lead magnet” (like a free guide or a discount code).
Choose a Tool: You use an Email Service Provider (ESP) like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or Constant Contact to manage your list safely.
Send the Content: You create an email—maybe a newsletter or a sale announcement—and send it to your subscribers.
Track the Results: You look at how many people opened it and how many clicked your links so you can do better next time.
Advantages of Email Marketing
There is a reason why top brands spend millions on their email marketing strategy. Here are the biggest perks:
It’s Very Affordable: Compared to paid ads on Google or Facebook, sending emails costs next to nothing.
You Own Your List: If a social media platform disappears tomorrow, your email list stays with you.
High ROI: For every $1 spent, email marketing often returns $36 or more. It’s incredibly profitable.
Personalization: You can address your customers by name and send them content based on what they actually like.
Disadvantages of Email Marketing
To be fair, it’s not all sunshine and roses. There are some honest limitations:
The Spam Filter: If you send too many salesy emails, you might end up in the Spam folder, and your audience will never see your work.
List Decay: People change jobs or delete email accounts. You have to work constantly to keep your list fresh and active.
Design Challenges: An email might look great on an iPhone but look messy on an old desktop computer.
Types of Email Marketing
Not every email should be a “Buy Now!” plea. A good email marketing strategy uses different email marketing types to keep things interesting.
1. Welcome Emails
This is the digital equivalent of a warm handshake. It’s the very first message someone receives right after they join your list. Its job is to introduce your brand and deliver on whatever you promised like a discount code.
Example: You sign up for a local boutique’s newsletter. Five seconds later, you get an email: “We’re so glad you’re here! To start things off right, use code HELLO15 for 15% off your first order.”
2. Email Newsletters
Think of this as a regular catch-up with a friend. Newsletters aren’t usually about making a hard sale, they are about sharing helpful tips, news, or stories that keep your audience interested in what you do.
Example: A personal trainer sends a weekly email every Monday morning. Instead of asking you to buy a gym membership, they share a “3-minute stretch to fix desk posture” and a healthy breakfast recipe.
3. Promotional Emails
These are direct and honest—they are there to tell your customers about a specific offer, a new product launch, or a holiday sale. The goal here is to encourage someone to take action and make a purchase.
Like Wperrorfixer gave its clients a 50% discount on their’s services, but to inform the clients about its services and discount, it will send promotional email marketing so that the clients come.
Example: Our New Year Flash Sale is officially live at Wperrorfixer, and we’re offering a massive 50% off on Website Maintenance, Website Development Services, and WordPress Error Fixing Services this week only! Just like a seasonal clearance, our schedule is filling up fast, so this is your chance to grab a professional site tune-up at half the price before the offer expires
4. Abandoned Cart Emails
We’ve all been there you add a cool jacket to your cart, get a phone call, and forget to check out. This email is a gentle “nudge” to remind the customer that their items are still waiting for them.
Example: An online bookstore sends a note a few hours later: “Oops! It looks like you left ‘The Great Gatsby’ in your cart. We’ve saved it for you—click here to finish your order.”
5. Drip Campaigns
These are a sequence of emails that go out automatically based on time. It’s like a “slow drip” of information that helps educate a customer or lead them through a journey without you having to hit ‘send’ every day.
Example: You sign up for a “Learn to Code in 7 Days” free trial. Every morning at 9:00 AM, you get a new email with one small lesson and a practice task, moving you from beginner to intermediate throughout the week.
6. Transactional Emails
These are the most functional emails, but they are also the ones people open the most. They provide essential information about an action the user just took, like a password reset or a purchase confirmation.
Example: Right after you buy a movie ticket online, you get an instant message: “Thanks for your purchase! Here is your booking ID #8892 and your digital ticket. Enjoy the show!”
Best Practices for Email Marketing Success
Ask for Permission: Never buy an email list. It’s the fastest way to ruin your reputation.
Write Great Subject Lines: If the subject line is boring, no one will open the email. Keep it short and curious.
Include a Call to Action (CTA): Every email should have a goal. Do you want them to read a blog? Buy a product? Reply to you? Tell them clearly!
Be Consistent: Don’t email five times in one week and then disappear for three months. Pick a schedule and stick to it.
Email Marketing FAQs
Q: Is email marketing dead?
A: Not at all! In fact, it’s growing. Most people check their email first thing in the morning—it’s still the most direct way to reach someone.
Q: How often should I email my subscribers?
A: It depends on your audience. Once a week is a “sweet spot” for many, but some brands do well with daily emails, while others stick to once a month.
Q: What is a good “Open Rate”?
A: This varies by industry, but generally, anything between 20% and 30% is considered very good.
Q: Do I need to know how to code to send emails?
A: No. Most modern tools use “drag-and-drop” editors that make it as easy as building a PowerPoint slide.
Q: How do I get people to sign up?
A: Give them a reason! Offer a “lead magnet” a free checklist, an e-book, or an exclusive discount in exchange for their address.
Conclusion
Email marketing is about the long game. It’s about showing up in someone’s inbox with value, respect, and a bit of personality. When done ethically and effectively, it’s a tool that can turn a total stranger into a lifelong fan of your business.
Start small, focus on being helpful, and watch your community grow one subscriber at a time.
