A Beginner's Guide to Email Marketing

If you have never sent a marketing email in your life, this is the gentle introduction I wish I had when I started. By the end you will have your first list, your first welcome email and your first automation.

Step 1 - Pick a platform

Start with Brevo. The free plan is generous, the UI is friendly, and you will not outgrow it for years.

Step 2 - Set up your sender identity

Add a sender email and verify it. If you own a domain, configure SPF and DKIM - it takes 10 minutes and saves your future deliverability.

Step 3 - Create your first list

Add a list called "Newsletter". This is where everyone who subscribes will land. Keep it simple at the start.

Step 4 - Send your first newsletter

Pick a template, write something useful (not promotional), and hit send. Get the muscle memory of shipping out of the way before optimizing.

Step 5 - Automate a welcome email

Set up a simple welcome workflow - when someone joins your list, send them an email 5 minutes later. That single automation can 2x your engagement.

That is the foundation. Everything else - segmentation, A/B tests, deep automation - stacks on top of these basics.