TOC #130: The only thing I put my whole ass into👀🤪 🍑
(June 20, 2023) How to get started with email marketing
The best advice I got this year?
Instead of half-ass-ing everything, whole ass ONE thing at a time.
I won’t even lie to you, I used to be such a half-asser.
But not in the “I’m not doing anything” way — the complete opposite, actually.
I’d be doing the MOST, always borrowing time from mom life to do work things, and work life to do mom things… and, worst of all, feeling guilty 100% of the time if I ever had a second to myself, because I felt like I *should* be doing something else.
There’s always something to do, making it feel like everything is a priority (well, that and the ADHD squirrel constantly tapping against my skull) — but it’s IMPOSSIBLE to give your all to everything all the time.
When you half-ass everything, you’re never happy, or present, or fulfilled, or doing your best work.
So, I’ve vowed to stop only using half of my ass.
However, I will say… there IS one task I have ALWAYS the whole entire thing into:
Email marketing.
(Wish I had a more respectable, wholesome answer, like “rest” or “wellness” or “parenting” but I’d be lying.)
(Sorry, Woo.)
So, in today’s newsletter, I’m teaching you EXACTLY how you can get started with email marketing in case you want to put your whole ass into it, too.
How to get started with email marketing
#1 — Choose an email marketing service provider
I use Flodesk, because it has all of the features I need, and it's the easiest to customize. It's also the most beautiful, which may not seem like a necessary thing in the world, but who wants to look at an ugly email?
If you're looking to get started with email marketing, I highly recommend it. You can use code “BTLCOPY” for 50% off of Flodesk. You can see if you like it with their free 30-day trial, no credit card required.
#2 — Create a lead magnet
A lead magnet (or a “freebie”) is an element of free value you're providing someone in exchange for their email address (and a spot on your email list). The best lead magnets are relevant to your offerings, and allow your new subscriber to achieve a quick win.
Download my free sample lead magnet if you want to learn more about how to create a good one!
#3 — Write the opt-in copy for said lead magnet
No one can download your free thing if you don't first create an opt-in form that tells them what it is and why they should want it.
If you're using Flodesk (or any email service provider, I'm sure) it's very easy to create an opt-in form.
I recommend creating a full-page form (preferably a page on your site, like this one), an inline form (to embed on your website), and a pop-up form (to be displayed 10 seconds after a visitor has started their scroll).
#4 — Write an email welcome sequence
When someone downloads a freebie of yours, you'll want to welcome them to your list and give them some context about what they'll find there—in addition to introducing them to your brand (who you are, what you do, who you serve, etc).
Download my free sample welcome sequence to learn more about how to write a good one!
#5 — Create a weekly newsletter
(Yes, weekly. Don't fight me on it. People will forget about you if you don't send emails weekly. You could send biweekly if you wanted, but you'll have a better result with weekly. And it's really not as hard as you think; newsletters do NOT have to be this long, I'm just dramatic.)
(If you need help planning yours / figuring out what to say to your subscribers, I've got you.)
Sending a consistent newsletter to your list—an email with a set format, sent on a set date, at a set time, that people come to EXPECT (and look forward to!) in their inbox—is the best way to make your email marketing efforts WORK.
This is the key to creating meaningful, personal relationships with your readers, so they'll come to know you, like you, and trust you. ❤️
Here's how I can help you get started:
& that's a wrap 🔥
By the way, you’re invited!
My lovely friends Jen and Morgan from TONIC Site Shop + I are hosting another Email Marketing Masterclass this Thursday (June 15th) at 1pm EST!
In this jam-packed class, we're teaching you:
How to turn normal life stuff into interesting content that damn near writes itself
The most common email marketing myths we can't *wait* to bust for you
What really makes content go viral
The email and social media stats that you should actually pay attention to
& so much more — including a LIVE content writing demo + Q&A, where Jen, Morgan, and I will be brainstorming and storytelling right along with you, and answering all of your 🔥 email marketing questions.
We had SO much fun last time we hosted this masterclass, so I'm wicked excited to do it again!
(Last time, the #1 most common feedback I got—after “I signed up for this because it said your title was Absolute Hoe For Italics”—was: “this was SO helpful, I can't wait to start consistently emailing my list with all my new ideas” so, if that's any indication of what you'll leave the masterclass feeling like… I think it's safe to say signing up is SO worth it.)
If you're hoping to come to our masterclass but you're busy on Thursday, no big deal - there will be a replay emailed to you immediately after class!
>> Click here to register for the BTL x TONIC Email Marketing Masterclass
ANDDD if you're looking for even MORE email marketing support, I've *officially* decided to launch my Email Strategy Sessions to the public! 🎉
Email me at sara@betweenthelinescopy.com for the details about how to book yours — it's quickly becoming one of my favorite services, because I love getting to spend 1:1 time with people workshopping story ideas, editing newsletter copy, and creating a plan for growing their email lists.
If we haven’t had the chance to *virtually* meet yet, hi! I’m Sara Noel—website copywriter and marketing mentor for creatives, copywriters, and all-around cool people. If you like my content and you want even more BTL in your life, here are a few ways you can connect with me:
Subscribe to my newsletter! I send one marketing tip, once a week - and, according to my subscribers, it's "the best marketing newsletter on the Internet" and "the only reason to wake up on Tuesday mornings." So... yeah. You'll love 'er. 😏 Click here to subscribe!
Check out my services. I write website copy, sales pages, email sequences, blog posts, and brand messaging guides for entrepreneurs of all kinds! Maybe you’re my next favorite client.
Read the rest of my blog. It’s home to everything from copywriting tips, to marketing education, to freelance advice, to portfolio-worthy projects… if you like this post, you’ll love the blog. Here’s a quick roundup of my most popular posts.
Sign up for my email marketing course. Learn how to grow your email list full of loyal, ready-to-buy readers with this self-paced course teaching you how to write the best lead magnets, opt-in copy, welcome sequences, and newsletters.
Enlist me as your mentor. I have an entire in-depth blog post about my one-on-one consulting process for new and aspiring copywriters, if you’re interested in having a big-sis-style mentor to help you grow your freelance copywriting business & get results.
To get in touch with me directly, send me a DM or email sara@betweenthelinescopy.com. Have a great day!