Email marketing is a powerful tool, but it does not offer instant profits or miracles.
It takes time to build up an email list, and even more effort to convert those subscribers into paying customers.
That’s why it is important to have a realistic outlook on the potential of email marketing.
Through trial and error, I have come to learn that having realistic expectations with email marketing will help a lot in the long run.
It’s important not to expect miracles right after sending your email campaigns or executing of an email marketing strategy.
As with any other type of promotion or advertising, it takes time and effort for your emails to start making an impact.
Surprising Outcomes from My First Email Campaign
I remember when I wrote my first email to send to my subscribers.
I was shaking in my slippers (ha ha)! The fear, anxiety, and overwhelming feeling were all at an all-time high. Hitting the send button felt gut-wrenching.
But I did it.
And what happened was shocking. That’s right, I took the leap of faith! And the result was truly life-transforming for me.
I had only 147 subscribers. Yeah! It’s not a lot.
But the result from those 147 subscribers itself was the force that pushed me to where I am today.
The best part of all is that I now believe in myself for having a go. I am more confident in my abilities to do this professionally! It was a big deal for me, as I had never done anything like this before.
I sent my first email on May 5, 2017.
After five days, only 19 people opened the email.
19 opens out of 147 subscribers? It wasn’t exactly a roaring success. But you know what? Those 19 opens were more precious to me than gold. They were proof that my words had reached real people, sparking a tiny flame of interest.
I could have easily felt discouraged. I could have thrown in the towel, thinking, “This email marketing thing just isn’t for me.” But instead, I dug deeper. I analyzed what might have worked and what definitely didn’t. I tweaked my subject lines, experimented with different email formats, and most importantly, I listened to the feedback (or lack thereof) from my subscribers.
Small Victories, Big Dreams
Slowly but surely, I started to see improvements. More opens turned into more clicks. More clicks turned into more sales. And as my email list grew, so did my revenue. It wasn’t always a smooth ride – there were plenty of bumps and detours along the way. But each small victory fueled my determination to keep going.
Looking back, I realize that my initial expectations were unrealistic. I had hoped for overnight success, but instead, I found a marathon. And that’s the key takeaway I want to share with you: email marketing is a long game. It requires patience, persistence, and a willingness to adapt and learn.
The Compound Effect of Consistent Effort
Gradually, my open rates climbed. Subscribers started replying to my emails, sharing their thoughts and asking questions. It was a revelation: Email wasn’t just a megaphone for broadcasting messages—it was a two-way conversation.
And the most remarkable thing happened: My email list began to grow organically. People were forwarding my emails to friends, colleagues, even family members. It was the ultimate validation that I was creating something of value.
The Secret Sauce: It's Not What You Think
Now, you might be wondering what my “secret” was. Was it some fancy email marketing software? A groundbreaking strategy? Nope. It was simply this: showing up consistently, delivering value, and building genuine relationships with my subscribers.
Email marketing isn’t about blasting out sales pitches or bombarding people with promotions. It’s about nurturing a community, sharing your expertise, and becoming a trusted voice in your niche. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and the rewards are well worth the effort.
Your Email Marketing Journey Starts Now
So, if you’re ready to embark on your own email marketing adventure, I encourage you to embrace the long game. Don’t chase after quick fixes or magic bullets. Instead, focus on building a solid foundation, one email at a time.
And remember, you don’t have to go it alone. I’m here to guide you every step of the way. In my upcoming posts, I’ll be sharing the exact strategies, templates, and tools I used to transform my email list into a thriving business.
But I want to hear from you, too! What are your biggest challenges with email marketing? What topics would you like me to cover in future posts? Leave a comment below and let’s start a conversation!
Remember, your email list is your most valuable asset. Start nurturing it today, and watch your business soar!
