Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Build an Email List

Email List Made Simple: A Beginner’s Guide

Why It Matters

If you’re a small business owner, you’ve probably spent a lot of time trying to figure out how people are going to find you. You may have reworked the content on your website, made social media posts, tried to improve your Google rankings, or asked for referrals. With so many things competing for your attention, starting an email list can feel like something that can wait.

I felt this way too, and for a long time I told myself that I’d start an email list when other things were done. I finally realized I wasn’t avoiding it because I didn’t think it mattered. I was avoiding it because I didn’t know where to begin, and it felt overwhelming.

I finally realized that building an email list could help me grow my business. An email list isn’t something I should create after my business has grown and it would help me build my business.

Unlike social media, your email list belongs to you. You aren’t hoping your social media post is shown to the right people or the right people “magically” find you. You’re sending a message directly to people who have shown an interest in you and your business.

What Makes an Email List So Valuable?

You own your audience

Social media is great for getting your business in front of new people, but it isn’t something you control. Platforms and algorithms can change, accounts can get hacked, and platforms can even disappear.

An email list is different. When someone joins your list, they’ve chosen to hear from you, and it’s something you own. It’s also a personal connection that can be hard to develop on social media.

People need time before they’re ready to buy

Very few people hire someone or purchase a product the first time they visit your website. Most of us like to get to know the person behind the business first.

Sending a helpful email once a month is an easy way to stay connected. When someone finally needs your services or products, they’ll already be familiar with who you are and what you do.

A small list is still a real list

One of my biggest excuses was that there wasn’t any point in starting an email list until I had a lot of subscribers. I realized that I would make more progress with my business if I started with ten people who actually wanted to hear from me, rather than waiting years hoping I’ll have hundreds of subscribers. Every business owner starts with that first subscriber.

You don’t have to be perfect.

I also convinced myself that I’d have to send a well-written newsletter every week, and that’s not true.

A simple email once a month is enough to get started. People would rather hear from a real person than read something that is personal and isn’t inbox clutter.

How It Worked for Me

When I started my web design business, I focused on building my website, increasing my tech skills, creating my brand, and showing up on social media. Those things felt important, so I kept putting off starting my email list.

Today, I see the value of an email list and how it can help me grow my business. If I can answer a question, share something I’ve learned, or offer a tip that helps another small business owner, that’s enough. It doesn’t have to be long or perfect.

Now What?

If you’ve been putting off your email list as I did, here’s one simple challenge.

Don’t worry about writing a newsletter or how you are going to design it. Start by choosing an email platform and what small steps you can take to start the process.

Once you have decided on your platform, you’ve taken the hardest step. You can always improve your emails or newsletter and process later, but you can’t grow a list if people don’t have an easy way to collect emails and send your newsletter.

Looking back, I wish I had started sooner. Even if only a handful of people had signed up in the beginning, I would have been building something that belonged to me and growing.

In my next post, I’ll share some email platforms you can use, how I chose the email platform I currently use, and my first steps. A strong website and an email list work best together. If you’re starting from scratch or your website needs an update, take a look at my website design services.

Dee
Pack W Digital Design