The Beginner’s Guide to Email Marketing for Young Entrepreneurs

The best thing about email marketing is that it connects you directly to your customers through their inboxes. You can let them know exactly what you’re about and how you can provide value to their lives. If you’re starting a business, learning email marketing is a smart move. In this article, we’ll break down the basics—like how to build a list, tools to use, and tips to plan your emails. 

What is Email Marketing?

Email marketing is about using emails to promote your business. Remember those emails from your favorite store about a discount or a new collection? That’s email marketing in action! Businesses use it to share updates, announce new items, or hook you up with exclusive deals. Here’s a fun fact—about 58% of people check their email as soon as they wake up. It’s a convenient and effective way to stay connected with your audience and keep them excited about what you’re working on.

What Will Your Emails Be About?

Start by thinking about your business—or if you don’t have one yet, brainstorm ideas of what you’d like to sell. Are you into handmade bracelets, offering graphic design services, or interested in tutoring? Focus your emails on your passions and how you can bring value to others.

Here are some ideas to get started:

• Establish a Goal: Ask yourself, “What do I want this email to do?” Maybe you want people to visit your online store, follow your social media, or explore your YouTube channel.
• Highlight the Benefits: Share what makes your product or service unique. Add value with perks like discount codes or free consultations.
• Content Themes: Not every email has to push sales. Mix things up with behind-the-scenes insights, customer stories, or quick tips related to your business.

This approach keeps your audience engaged while showcasing your brand’s personality.

Getting Started

You can do email marketing right from your phone or laptop. If you have branding colors or a logo, adding those can make your emails look more professional. Start by choosing an easy-to-use tool like MailerLite, which has a free plan for beginners. Look for a platform with email templates to make it simple to send messages to lots of people at once. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube for most email platforms to help you get started. Your main focus should be on writing great content, and the marketing tool will handle the design details for you.

Building Your List: How to Get Subscribers

The easiest way to start building your email list is by reaching out to people you already know—family, friends, and classmates. Share your signup link with them and post it on social media sites like Instagram or your website. To encourage more people to join, offer a freebie related to your business, such as a PDF guide on making jewelry or a discount code. For example, you could say, “Sign up for my email list and get 15% off your first order!”

Writing Your First Email

Your first email is one of the most important because it sets the tone for your relationship with your audience. Use it to introduce yourself and share a bit of your story, but don’t forget to make it about them too. Let them know how your product or service can help them or make their life easier.

Keep the tone casual, like you’re talking to a friend, and personalize it by using their name (most email tools can do this for you). A friendly, relaxed email makes people feel comfortable and more likely to stick around—or even make a purchase!

Tips for Staying Consistent

Here are some tips to help you stay consistent with email marketing:

• Set a Schedule: Start small, such as 1-2 emails per week. Pick a time, like Friday evenings, to organize your email ideas so you’re always ahead.
• Use a Calendar: Plan out what you’ll send, whether it’s tips, promotions, or updates. Having it mapped out makes things way easier.
• Repurpose Content: Got posts on social media? Perfect—tweak them for your emails. Add a story or personal touch to make them feel fresh.
• Batch Write Emails: Spend a weekend morning writing a bunch of emails at once. Then, use your email tool to schedule them so you’re not rushing last minute.
• Check Your Results: Track your open rates and clicks to see what’s working. Try different content and see what your audience loves most!

Start Today

Your email list starts with just one subscriber. Why not explore an email platform today? You might be surprised where your business goes in just a few months!

Could you be the next high school entrepreneur to earn a Kantner Foundation scholarship? Find out how here.