Let’s talk about email newsletters. Yes, I know what you’re thinking. Email? In 2025? With all the shiny new platforms and AI-powered everything? But hear me out, because email newsletters are still absolutely crushing it when it comes to marketing.
The Case for Email Newsletters (It’s Stronger Than You Think)
While everyone’s busy chasing the latest social media trend, email quietly continues to be one of the most effective ways to connect with your audience. It’s direct. It’s personal. And unlike that Instagram post that disappears into the void after three hours, your email sits right there in someone’s inbox until they decide what to do with it.
The numbers back this up too. Email consistently delivers higher engagement and conversion rates than most other channels. When someone gives you their email address, they’re basically saying, “Hey, I actually want to hear from you”. They are showing interest in what you have to say. Make it count!
You Own Your Email List (And That Matters More Than Ever)
Here’s something most marketers learn the hard way: building your audience on social media is like building a house on rented land. Sure, it works great until the landlord changes the rules. Algorithm updates, policy changes, and account restrictions can mean your hard work disappears in an instant. One day your posts reach thousands of people, the next day you’re lucky if a hundred see them.
Email is different. Your email list is yours. You control when you send, what you send, and who sees it. No algorithm stands between you and your audience. No platform decides your content isn’t “engagement-worthy” enough. This type of ownership is rare in digital marketing, making email incredibly valuable.
Your Subscribers Actually Want to Hear From You
Think about what it means when someone subscribes to your newsletter. They’ve given you permission to show up in one of their most personal digital spaces. They’re raising their hand and saying they’re interested in what you have to offer. These aren’t random people who happened to scroll past your content. They’re folks who are genuinely more likely to engage with your brand, buy your products, and tell others about you.
With smart segmentation and personalized content, you can turn this interested audience into genuinely engaged customers. That’s the kind of opportunity that makes email worth investing in.
How to Actually Do Email Marketing Well
Okay, so email is important. But let’s be real: plenty of companies do it badly. You know the ones. The newsletters that feel like spam, the constant promotional blasts, the emails that look terrible on your phone. Let’s talk about how to avoid being that company.
Start With People Who Actually Want Your Emails
This should be obvious, but apparently it needs saying: don’t buy email lists. Just don’t. Those lists are full of people who never asked to hear from you, and they’ll treat your emails accordingly. Low open rates, high spam complaints, and a damaged sender reputation aren’t worth whatever you paid for that list.
Instead, focus on building your list organically. Use clear opt-in forms. Offer something valuable in exchange for an email address. Make it easy for interested people to join, and you’ll end up with a list that actually performs.
Tell People What They’re Signing Up For
Nobody likes surprises in their inbox (well, except for surprise discounts, but that’s different). When someone subscribes, tell them exactly what they’ll get and how often they’ll get it. Weekly tips? Monthly roundups? New product announcements? Lay it out clearly.
This transparency does two things: it sets proper expectations, and it builds trust. When you deliver exactly what you promised, people are more likely to stick around and engage with your content.
Your Subject Line Can Make or Break Everything
You could write the world’s most amazing email, but if your subject line doesn’t convince someone to open it, nobody will ever know. Keep your subject lines short, relevant, and intriguing. Make them personal when you can. And please, avoid anything that sounds like spam. You know the ones I’m talking about.
Test different approaches. Some audiences love straightforward subject lines. Others respond better to curiosity or humor. The only way to know what works for your subscribers is to try different things and see what happens.
Design for Phones (Because That’s Where People Read)
Most of your subscribers are reading your emails on their phones. If your newsletter looks like a garbled mess on mobile, you’ve already lost. Use responsive design. Keep your layouts clean and simple. Make sure your fonts are readable and your buttons are big enough to tap without accidentally hitting three other things.
This isn’t optional anymore. It’s table stakes for email marketing in 2025.
Not Everyone Wants the Same Thing
Your subscribers aren’t a monolith. Some are long-time customers, others are brand new. Some love product updates, others just want helpful tips. Treat them all the same, and you’re leaving engagement on the table.
Segment your list based on behavior, preferences, location, or whatever makes sense for your business. Then send content that’s actually relevant to each group. This approach takes more effort, but the payoff in engagement and conversions makes it worth it.
Every Email Should Give People a Reason to Care
This is where a lot of newsletters go wrong. They treat every email like a sales pitch. Buy this! Check out that! Limited time offer!
Here’s the thing: if every email is promotional, people tune out. Balance your promotional content with stuff that’s genuinely valuable. Educational content. Entertaining stories. Useful tips. Content that makes people think, “I’m glad I read that.”
When you do have something to sell, your audience will be much more receptive because you’ve built up goodwill with all that value you’ve been delivering.
Show Up Consistently (But Don’t Overdo It)
Pick a schedule and stick to it. Whether that’s weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, consistency helps your emails become a familiar, expected part of your subscribers’ routines. Use a recognizable sender name and a consistent format so people know it’s you before they even open the email.
That said, consistent doesn’t mean constant. Bombarding people with daily emails when they signed up for weekly updates is a fast track to unsubscribes. Respect people’s time and inbox space.
Actually Get Your Emails into Inboxes
You can craft the perfect email, but it doesn’t matter if it ends up in spam folders. Take the technical stuff seriously. Authenticate your domain properly. Keep your list clean by removing bounced addresses and inactive subscribers. Don’t go overboard with images and links, which can trigger spam filters.
Monitor your sender reputation and deliverability rates. If you’re seeing problems, address them quickly before they get worse.
Pay Attention to What’s Working
Email marketing without analytics is like driving blindfolded. Track your open rates, click-through rates, and unsubscribe rates. Run A/B tests on your subject lines, content types, and design elements. Look at what performs well and what doesn’t.
Let the data guide your decisions. If certain types of content consistently get higher engagement, make more of that content. If your Tuesday sends outperform your Thursday sends, maybe switch your schedule. Keep testing, keep learning, keep improving.
Make It Easy to Leave
Nobody wants to trap people into receiving emails they don’t want. Include a clear, visible unsubscribe link in every email you send. When someone opts out, process that request immediately.
This isn’t just about being nice (though it is nice). It’s also legally required in most places, and it protects your sender reputation. Plus, keeping people on your list who don’t want to be there just tanks your engagement metrics anyway.
The Bottom Line
Your email list is one of your most valuable marketing assets. It represents real people who have chosen to let you into their inboxes. Treat that privilege with respect. Send them content that’s worth their time. Be consistent, be authentic, and always strive to deliver value.
In a world where everyone’s fighting for attention across a dozen different platforms, email gives you a direct line to people who actually want to hear from you. Use it wisely, and it’ll pay dividends for years to come.
Jeanne Grunert is the heart and soul behind Seven Oaks Consulting and a passionate storyteller with over 30 years of experience in writing, marketing, and business. As an award-winning writer and content marketing pro, Jeanne loves helping others shine through smart, authentic communication. She’s a frequent speaker, teacher, and writer on topics like content strategy and personal branding—and she does it all with a deep love for words and people. Jeanne also serves as the Branding and Marketing Expert for the National Association of Independent Writers and Editors (NAIWE). She holds an M.A. in Writing and an M.S. in Direct and Digital Marketing (awarded with distinction) from NYU. Jeanne’s also the author of eight books, including the beloved Majek Family Mysteries and the practical favorite Pricing Your Services: 21 Tips for More Profit.