Outline
- Quick intro and why email still matters
- What beginners should look for when choosing a tool
- Short list of recommended tools with friendly reviews
– Mailchimp – MailerLite – ConvertKit – Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) – GetResponse – Klaviyo (note for e-commerce beginners)
- How to choose based on your needs
- A simple setup checklist to get your first campaign live
- Final thoughts and next steps
Let’s get started.
Why email still matters (and yes you should care) Email seems old-school, but that’s the point. It’s direct, personal, and it stays with people longer than a social post. You control the list. You control the message. Social platforms change rules, algorithms, and moods quickly. Your inbox? It’s quieter, calmer, and usually more dependable. You know what? A single well-written email can make more sales than ten frantic social posts.
Here’s the thing — beginners often worry about tech, terms, or the fear of being “spammy.” Relax. People actually want good emails. They want helpful tips, deals, stories. If you give value, they’ll read. If you give noise, they won’t. Simple.
What a beginner should look for in a tool Let me explain what matters when you’re just starting. Think of email tools like kitchen appliances. Some are little and handy, some are big and do everything. Choose what fits your countertop.
- Ease of use: Drag and drop editors, simple flow builders, clear menus.
- Price: Free tiers are great. Watch limits on subscribers or sends.
- Templates: Ready-made designs save time.
- Automation basics: Welcome sequences, simple triggers.
- Deliverability: Will your emails actually reach inboxes?
- Support and learning: Docs, tutorials, and responsive help.
- Integrations: Can it connect to your website, store, or forms?
You don’t need a million features at first. You need a clean path from sign-up to first sale. Repeat that in your head if you must: clean path, not chaos.
My friendly list of tools for beginners I’m listing tools that real people use. Each has vibe, strengths, and quirks. I’ll warn you about the quirks. That’s part of staying human.
Mailchimp — the familiar one Why it’s good: Mailchimp is widely known; many platforms offer a one-click connection. Their free tier gets you started quickly, with basic email templates and audience management. Strengths: Easy templates, guided setup, and lots of integrations. Watch out for: Pricing can jump as your list grows, and the interface sometimes nudges you toward paid features. Best for: Solo creators and small businesses who want a gentle entry.
MailerLite — simple and tidy Why it’s good: Clean interface, generous free plan, and useful automation for starters. Few frills, fewer headaches. Strengths: Drag and drop editor, landing pages, popups, and solid deliverability. Watch out for: Advanced segmentation and e-commerce tools are more basic than some competitors. Best for: Bloggers, course creators, and people who like tidy tools.
ConvertKit — made for creators Why it’s good: Built by creators for creators. Tag-based subscriber management feels natural. Automations are visual and friendly. Strengths: Creator-focused features like content upgrades, simple funnels, and subscriber tagging. Watch out for: The free plan has limits, and it’s less about flashy design and more about clean email flow. Best for: Writers, course creators, podcasters—people who sell ideas and content.
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) — the budget-friendly all-rounder Why it’s good: Brevo mixes email with SMS, chat, and CRM features. Their pay-as-you-go credit model for sends can be handy. Strengths: Affordable sending, transactional email, and decent automation. Watch out for: The free plan limits daily sends; some UI elements can feel a bit dense. Best for: Small businesses who want marketing plus basic CRM in one place.
GetResponse — automation with room to grow Why it’s good: Good automation builder and webinar features. A step up when you’re ready to add more advanced funnels. Strengths: Strong automation, landing pages, webinars, and list management. Watch out for: Price tiers and features can be confusing to compare. Best for: Businesses ready to grow beyond basic email.
Klaviyo — the e-commerce pro (but be careful) Why it’s good: Klaviyo is tailored to online stores. It reads shopper behavior and sends timely emails that convert. Strengths: Deep e-commerce integrations, powerful segmentation, and predictive analytics. Watch out for: Price can climb quickly with list size; it’s more than a beginner needs unless you sell a lot online. Best for: Shopify stores and serious e-commerce sellers.
Short aside about deliverability and spam You might hear a lot about deliverability like it’s mysterious. It’s not magic. It’s reputation, clean lists, good content, and an email tool that plays nice with inbox providers. Don’t buy lists. Don’t send garbage. Clean your list now and then. Use a double opt-in if you can handle a slight extra drop in sign-ups; it cuts spam complaints. Simple housekeeping keeps your emails welcome.
How to choose based on where you are Okay, quick decision map. No fluff.
- You want easy and free: Try MailerLite or Mailchimp.
- You write newsletters and sell info: Try ConvertKit.
- You run a little shop and want mixed channels: Try Brevo.
- You plan to scale marketing with webinars: Try GetResponse.
- You’re a store looking for big revenue from email: Try Klaviyo (later, when you’re ready).
A short setup checklist to get your first campaign live Here’s a mini checklist you can follow. It’s practical and quick.
1. Pick a tool and create an account. 2. Connect your domain for better deliverability — yes, do it. 3. Create a simple sign-up form and put it on your homepage. 4. Set up a welcome email sequence — 1 to 3 emails is fine. 5. Build a single campaign email: clear subject, one idea, clear call to action. 6. Segment slightly — new subscribers versus existing customers. 7. Send to a small test group internally first, then to your list. 8. Check open and click rates. Tweak subject lines and content. 9. Clean unengaged subscribers after a few months.
A note about subject lines: short, curious, clear. Don’t promise the moon. That’s how trust grows.
Some practical tips most people miss
- Personalization doesn’t need magic tags. Say the person’s name, but also say something relevant. It feels warmer.
- Use plain text sometimes. Not every email needs a full design. Plain text can feel like a friend writing.
- A single clear call to action is better than five competing buttons. Ask for one thing.
- Test subject lines and preview text. Small changes can move the needle.
- Schedule sends for when your audience is awake. Morning or early afternoon usually works, but test.
A small detour about content — be human Remember, your emails carry your voice. You don’t need to be perfect. People respond to sincerity, a hint of humor, and a little narrative. Tell quick stories about a customer, or a behind-the-scenes moment. It’s okay to repeat a message across channels; repetition helps memory. But don’t repeat lazily. Say it a little differently each time.
A mild contradiction that’s actually useful You’ll hear: “Focus on conversions.” But here’s something else — sometimes the best move is to stop selling and educate. Confusing? Maybe. Effective? Often. When you trade a hard sell for genuine value, trust grows and conversions follow later. It’s like planting trees; not every hour will show fruit, but roots deepen.
Final thoughts and next steps Pick one tool, not three. Learn it. Make one tidy workflow: attract, welcome, nurture. That’s all you need to start. You’ll tweak and upgrade later, and that’s fine. Start with the basics, then add more as you learn what your audience clicks, reads, and buys.
If you want, tell me what you sell, what platform you use for your website or store, and how many subscribers you have. I’ll suggest which tool fits your situation and a one-week plan to get your first email live. Seriously — send me that info and we’ll sketch a tiny, practical plan you can start tomorrow.
