Nayan Dhumal
An email list lets you reach your readers directly, without depending on Google or social media. Starting one takes an afternoon: choose an email service, create a signup form, offer a small free resource and add the form to your blog. This guide walks through each step and what to send once people subscribe.
Most visitors read one post and leave. Some of them would happily come back, but they will not remember your blog name next week.
An email list solves that. When you publish something useful, you can tell the people who asked to hear from you.
Key takeaways
- An email list is an audience you control.
- Start on day one, even with a small blog.
- Use a proper email marketing service, not your personal inbox.
- Offer a small, useful free resource in exchange for an email.
- Place signup forms where interested readers will see them.
- Send helpful emails on a steady schedule, and always include an unsubscribe link.
Why start an email list early?
- You own the connection. Search rankings and social reach change. Your list stays.
- Returning readers. Subscribers come back when you publish.
- Feedback. Readers reply with questions, which become post ideas.
- Income later. When you launch a product or recommend a tool, your list is the audience most likely to buy.
Even 50 subscribers who care about your topic are valuable.
Step 1: Choose an email marketing service
An email marketing service stores your subscribers, provides signup forms and sends emails that comply with unsubscribe rules. Many services have a free plan for small lists.
When comparing, check:
- The size of the free plan and what it includes.
- Whether it has signup forms that work with WordPress.
- Whether it can send an automatic welcome email.
- How easy it is to use.
I run this blog’s newsletter on MailerLite. Check each service’s current pricing page before you decide, because free plans change.
Step 2: Create a simple free resource
People subscribe when they get something useful straight away. This is often called a lead magnet. Keep it small and specific:
- A one-page checklist, such as a pre-publish blog post checklist.
- A short template, such as a content calendar.
- A mini guide that solves one problem.
It should take you a few hours to make, not weeks. You can design a simple PDF in Canva. My Canva tips for blog images cover the basics of clean design.
Step 3: Create your signup form
- In your email service, create a new form.
- Ask for an email address only, or first name and email. Fewer fields means more signups.
- Write a clear heading, such as “Get the free blog post checklist”.
- Add one line on what subscribers will receive and how often.
- Set up the confirmation and welcome email.
Step 4: Add the form to your blog
Most email services give you a WordPress plugin, a block or an embed code. Good places for the form:
- At the end of posts: readers who finished a post are interested.
- Inside relevant posts: next to the section the free resource helps with.
- A dedicated signup page: to link from your social profiles.
- Your sidebar or footer: a small, always-visible option.
Pro tip
Match the free resource to the post. A reader on a post about writing blog posts is more likely to want a writing checklist than a general newsletter.
Step 5: Write your welcome email
The welcome email is the one most subscribers open. Keep it short:
- Thank them and deliver the free resource.
- Say who you are in one or two lines.
- Say what you will send and how often.
- Link to two or three of your best posts.
- Invite them to reply with their biggest question.
Step 6: Send regular, useful emails
You do not need a long newsletter. A simple format works well:
- One short tip or lesson.
- A link to your newest or most useful post.
- One question for readers to reply to.
Pick a schedule you can keep, such as once a week or once every two weeks. Consistency matters more than length.
Rules to follow
- Only add people who signed up themselves. Never add contacts without permission.
- Include an unsubscribe link in every email. Proper email services add this automatically.
- Be clear about what people are signing up for.
- Mention your newsletter tool in your privacy policy. See my guide on creating a privacy policy page in WordPress.
Email rules differ by country, so check what applies where you and your readers live.
How to grow the list
- Mention the free resource in relevant posts.
- Share the signup page on social media.
- Ask subscribers to forward useful emails to a friend.
- Create a few different free resources for your main topics.
For more ways to earn from a small audience, read my guide to monetising a blog with under 1,000 visitors.
Frequently asked questions
When should I start an email list for my blog?
As early as possible. Even a small list of interested readers is valuable, and it grows with your blog.
Do I need a paid email service?
Not at the start. Many services have free plans for small lists. Check current plan limits on each service’s pricing page.
What should I send to my email list?
Short, useful emails: a tip, a link to a helpful post and a question for readers. Keep a steady schedule.
How often should I email my subscribers?
Choose a schedule you can keep, such as weekly or every two weeks. Consistency matters more than frequency.
Can I use Gmail to send newsletters?
It is better to use an email marketing service. It handles signup forms, unsubscribe links and sending at scale.