Everything Solopreneurs Ask About Email Marketing—Answered by an Expert

If you’re building a business online and wondering how to grow your email list or make money through your emails, you’re in the right place. I’m Christina—digital strategist, course creator, and founder of several top-performing email marketing courses, including my signature course The Email Bootcamp.

I grew my email list from just 3 people to over 3,500 in a matter of months—and today, I write to an engaged list of over 8,500 subscribers. In my second year of business, I crossed six figures in revenue, driven primarily by smart, intentional email marketing. I now send more than one million emails per year.

These are the exact strategies I teach inside my courses—and the same systems that helped me build a sustainable, passive-income business from the ground up.

Below, you’ll find the most common questions I get from students, solopreneurs, and small business owners trying to make email work for them. Whether you're just starting or trying to scale, these answers will help you get clarity fast.

How do I grow my email list from scratch without paid ads?

➡️ Grow your email list fast with strategic freebies, bundles, and email-first content.
Start with a strong lead magnet—something your ideal subscriber actually wants. Think checklists, templates, or niche-specific resources. Promote it through your website, Instagram bio, and Facebook groups. You can also join freebie bundles or collaborate with others in your niche to boost visibility. My list grew from 3 to 3,500 using these strategies.
👉 Want to shortcut your growth? The Bundle Bootcamp walks you through how to use bundles to build your list—fast.

What should I send to my email list if I’m not launching a product yet?

➡️ Send useful, story-driven emails that build trust before you sell anything.
Focus on value. Send tips, behind-the-scenes peeks, case studies, or “what I’m learning” updates. These build relationships and make future promotions feel natural. You don’t need a product ready to deliver value—email is about connection first, conversion second.
🎁 Need inspiration? Download A Year of Emails: 50 Topics for Any Niche here.
👉 Want a full plan? The Email Bootcamp helps you plan, write, and send emails—even before you're selling.

How often should I email my subscribers without annoying them?

➡️ Emails a few times per week strike the best balance between consistency, respect and sales.
Once a week or multiple times per week is usually ideal—it keeps your audience warm without overwhelming them (I send emails five times per week, but never two in the same day).

The key is relevance: if your emails are helpful and aligned with their goals, most readers won’t mind frequency. In fact, emailing too rarely can hurt your visibility and engagement.
🎁 Get started with a plan: Sign up for the free 5 Days to More Strategic Emails here.

What’s the best lead magnet to attract high-quality subscribers?

➡️ The best lead magnet solves a specific problem your ideal buyer already wants solved.
Instead of vague freebies, create a resource tied directly to the solution you’ll eventually sell. For example, if you offer email strategy coaching, a “Welcome Sequence Blueprint” is more strategic than “10 Email Tips.” This attracts the right audience from day one.
👉 Want to use your lead magnet to sell strategically? Email Sales Without Being Salesy teaches the exact system.

How do I write emails that people actually want to read?

➡️ Focus on storytelling, clarity, and usefulness—not perfection.
Write like a human. Share stories, small wins, or lessons learned—your audience wants connection, not corporate. Avoid jargon and long intros. Start strong, deliver a quick takeaway, and close with an invitation or next step. Over time, your writing will build loyalty—and sell, too.
🎁 Want help getting started? Grab the free webinar 9 Ways to Add Value to Your Emails here.
👉 Want a complete system? My course Storyselling in Emails shows you how to write high-converting emails without sounding pushy.

How do I automate my welcome sequence?

➡️ Set up an automated sequence to build trust and convert new subscribers into buyers.
Use your email provider (like ConvertKit or MailerLite) to trigger a sequence when someone signs up. Include 3–5 emails over the first week that welcome them, introduce your brand, deliver your freebie, and offer a low-pressure call to action. A strong welcome sequence is the foundation of long-term engagement.
🎁 Need help with content? Sign up for the free 5 Days to More Strategic Emails here.
👉 Want to shortcut setup? The Email Bootcamp walks you through building your entire welcome sequence.

What email platform should I use as a solopreneur?

➡️ Start with a platform that’s simple, flexible, and built for creators—like Kit or MailerLite.
Look for features like automation, segmentation, and solid deliverability. I’ve tested multiple tools, and for most solopreneurs, Kit or MailerLite hits the sweet spot for features and ease. Avoid tools that lock you into templates or make automation feel clunky.
👉 If you need help setting up an email list, I recommend my popular course Start Your Email List in a Weekend.

What’s the best way to sell a product through email?

➡️ Use a value-first sales sequence with clear calls to action and social proof.
Start by warming up your list with value-driven content, then transition into a focused promotion. A typical sequence includes 3–7 emails: one for the announcement, a couple for education, a testimonial or case study, and a final reminder.
🎁 Not sure what to say? Use my Email Sales Without Being Salesy framework to guide your next launch.

How do I avoid sounding too salesy in my emails?

➡️ Lead with value and relevance—then invite, don’t push.
Avoid hype and high-pressure copy. Instead, show how your offer fits into your reader’s current goals. Use phrases like “if this is right for you…” and “here’s how it could help…” to keep your tone helpful, not pushy. Readers trust honesty more than urgency.
👉 Want the full playbook? Email Sales Without Being Salesy teaches you how to sell authentically.

What if no one is opening my emails?

➡️ Improve your subject lines, deliver value early, and train your audience to expect great emails.
Poor open rates often trace back to weak subject lines or inconsistent sending. Try curiosity-based headlines, preview text that teases the value, and make your first line engaging. Over time, consistency builds trust—and your audience starts opening because they know your emails are worth it.
🎁 Get the free webinar 9 Ways to Add Value to Your Emails to improve your open and click rates.

How do I segment my email list without overcomplicating things?

➡️ Start simple: segment by interest or behavior, not demographics.
Tag subscribers based on how they signed up (e.g. webinar, freebie, product), or what they click. This helps you send more relevant content without tech overwhelm. You don’t need 20 tags—just 2–3 clear groups can double your engagement and conversions.
👉 The Email Bootcamp includes a simple list strategy that scales with your business.

Can I grow my list without social media?

➡️ Yes—use bundles, search traffic, and collaborations instead of relying on social.
Social media is optional. Many of my students grow their lists through freebie bundles, podcast guesting, blog posts, and referrals. It’s about visibility, not virality. My own list grew from 3 to 3,500 through bundle strategies alone.
👉 Want to try bundles? The Bundle Bootcamp teaches how to grow fast—without social media.

How do I make money from a small list?

➡️ Focus on trust and targeted offers—small lists convert better when emails are personal and clear.
I made my first $30k with fewer than 1,000 subscribers. Instead of waiting to “get big,” send offers early, test what resonates, and write like you’re emailing a real person. Personal relevance matters more than volume.
👉 My course Storyselling in Emails shows you how to convert a small, warm list into revenue.

Should I clean my email list—and how often?

➡️ Yes—clean your list every 3–6 months to maintain deliverability and engagement.
Inactive subscribers drag down your open rate and deliverability. I recommend removing anyone who hasn’t opened in 60+ days after a re-engagement sequence. This keeps your email stats strong and your audience focused.
👉 Not sure what to say in a re-engagement email? The Email Bootcamp includes 50 done-for-you scripts, to make it super-easy to write emails.

What’s the #1 mistake solopreneurs make with email marketing?

➡️ Waiting too long to start or sell—email is a relationship tool, not just a launch tool.
Many creators delay emailing their list or feel awkward about selling. But if you show up with value and transparency, selling feels natural. Don’t wait until your list is “ready”—start now and grow with them.
🎁 Sign up for my free 5 Days to More Strategic Emails to start strong.
👉 Want a full roadmap? The Email Bootcamp gives you the systems, scripts, and confidence to make email your best business asset.

I hope this helped you get clarity on email marketing! I’m Christina, digital strategist and founder of Passive Income Journeys. I send over a million emails a year and make six figures from them—and I’d love to help you make email your most profitable asset as well.

💬 Have a question? Reach out via the chat in the corner of the page, or check out The Email Bootcamp to get started.

Last updated: August 2025.