Email marketing remains one of the most reliable channels for businesses seeking direct communication, predictable reach, and measurable results. While social platforms come and go and algorithms shift overnight, email gives brands a stable, controlled way to speak to their audience. For freelancers, creators, agencies, and businesses using platforms like Gigred, email marketing remains one of the most reliable ways to nurture leads and increase conversions.
This guide breaks down everything you need to understand about email marketing, from planning your strategy to optimizing ongoing campaigns. Whether you’re starting from zero or improving your current workflow, you’ll find practical steps and examples you can implement right away.
Why Email Marketing Matters
Many people wonder whether email still holds its influence in an era filled with short videos, social media reels, and new communication formats. The numbers answer that question clearly.
Email continues to outperform most other digital marketing methods because:
1. Strong ROI
Email marketing consistently generates one of the highest returns among all channels. For every $1 spent, businesses earn an average of $36 back. This reliability makes email a preferred choice for businesses working with lean budgets.
2. Large, Growing User Base
Billions of people check their emails every day. The global number of email users continues to grow, opening an ever-expanding audience for marketers.
3. High Engagement Potential
Emails see strong open rates, impressive click-through rates, and better conversion performance compared to many paid ads and social posts. When done right, email creates a direct connection between a brand and its subscribers.
4. Full Control Over Communication
Unlike social platforms, where posts depend on algorithms, email marketing ensures your message reaches your audience. You decide when to send, what to send, and how to segment your list.
Because of these advantages, email marketing plays a central role in campaigns for ecommerce brands, content creators, service providers, freelancers, and businesses on platforms such as Gigred.
How to Do Email Marketing: The 8-Step Method
To get the best results, email marketing needs structure, clarity, and consistency. Below is a step-by-step approach you can follow.
Step 1: Plan Your Email Marketing Strategy
A strong strategy sets the foundation for long-term success. Start by examining your business’s internal strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges. Consider factors such as:
- Market behavior
- Trends in your niche
- Tools and technologies available
- Legal and compliance requirements
Once you have clarity, define SMART goals:
- Specific: State exactly what you want to accomplish
- Measurable: Set metrics to track
- Achievable: Ensure goals match your resources
- Relevant: Align with your business objectives
- Time-bound: Include deadlines
For example:
Increase average order value by 15% using post-purchase email sequences over the next 12 months.
Next, understand your audience. Identify:
- Their demographics
- What they need
- What problems do they face
- Their buying behavior
Then create a content calendar. Include email types such as:
- Promotional emails
- Educational newsletters
- Automated nurture sequences
- Holiday and seasonal updates
- Re-engagement campaigns
A simple Google Sheet can help you plan the month’s content in advance.
Step 2: Choose the Best Email Marketing Platform
Selecting the right platform is crucial. It determines how you build, schedule, deliver, and automate your messages.
Here’s a quick breakdown of commonly used options:
Mailchimp – Best for Beginners
Easy to use with drag-and-drop features and templates.
ConvertKit – Best for Creators and Bloggers
Ideal for content-driven brands, creators, writers, and coaches.
Klaviyo – Best for Ecommerce
Provides deep segmentation, personalized automation, and revenue-focused workflows.
Beehiiv – Best for Newsletters
Good for writers building media-style newsletters with monetization options.
Try free trials when possible and explore templates, analytics, and automation workflows before making a decision.
Step 3: Set Up Your Account
Once you choose a platform, set up your account properly:
- Add your business name
- Add your logo and brand colors
- Set a professional sender name
- Verify your email
- Configure domain authentication (DKIM, SPF)
- Add your company address and contact details
- Integrate your website and CRM
These steps build trust with email providers and ensure good deliverability.
Step 4: Build Your Email List
A strong list fuels your entire marketing strategy. Without subscribers, even the best content won’t get results.
Use Lead Magnets
A lead magnet is something valuable you offer in exchange for an email address.
Examples include:
- Mini-guides
- Checklists
- Discounts or coupons
- Templates
- Webinars
- Free trials
- Quizzes
Your lead magnet must solve a real problem. For example, on Gigred, freelancers often offer templates, social media calendars, or resource guides as lead magnets.
Use Referrals
Subscribers often refer others when incentivized.
Ideas include:
- Offer a discount or bonus
- Launch a small ambassador program
- Highlight testimonials
- Send referral reminders to active subscribers
Optimize Your Opt-in Forms
Place opt-in forms strategically:
- Homepage
- Blog sidebar
- Landing pages
- Exit intent pop-ups
- Contact pages
Make the sign-up process fast and simple.
Step 5: Create Compelling Email Content
Now that you have a list, the next step is creating engaging content.
Start with Strong Subject Lines
Avoid long or vague lines. Add curiosity, clarity, or a value-driven hook.
Use a Content Mix
Keep your subscribers interested with varied formats:
- Promotions
- Tips
- How-to guides
- Product updates
- Stories
- Personalized recommendations
- Automated sequences
Add Visuals Strategically
Use relevant images, GIFs, or short videos to boost clicks.
If you want professionally designed emails, you can hire a designer through Gigred for template creation, interactive elements, and layout optimization.
Step 6: Segment Your Audience
Segmentation helps you send relevant messages to specific people. You can segment by:
- Age, gender, or location
- Purchase history
- Content engagement
- Website behavior
- Interaction with past emails
- Interests or categories
For example:
- People who bought a subscription plan
- Visitors who viewed your pricing page
- Returning customers
- First-time buyers
- Subscribers who haven’t opened emails in 60 days
Segmentation improves open rates, click rates, and conversions.
Step 7: Automate Your Email Campaigns
Automation saves time and ensures consistent communication. Popular automated sequences include:
Welcome Series
Sent to new subscribers to introduce your business.
Abandoned Cart Series
Remind customers about incomplete purchases. This is one of the highest converting email flows.
Post-Purchase Series
Thank customers, share instructions, request reviews, or offer related products.
Win-Back Series
Re-engage inactive subscribers with incentives or value-driven content.
Lead Nurture Series
Warm up new leads by sharing educational content, case studies, or offers.
Automation keeps your email machine running even when you’re not actively sending campaigns.
Step 8: Analyze Email Performance
To improve your strategy, track key metrics:
- Open Rate: Number of recipients who opened your email
- Click-Through Rate: Number of people who clicked
- Conversion Rate: Number of people who took action
- Bounce Rate: Undelivered emails
- Unsubscribe Rate: People opting out
Use A/B testing to optimize:
- Subject lines
- Preview text
- Button placements
- Layout structure
- Email length
- Sending time
Improving based on real data helps your campaigns consistently grow.
6 Powerful Email Marketing Tips
To make your campaigns perform even better, follow these best practices:
1. Personalize Wherever Possible
Use:
- Names
- Past purchases
- Interests
- Browsing behavior
- Location
- Product preferences
Personalized emails build trust and improve response rates.
2. Write Catchy Subject Lines
Your subject line decides whether people open your email or ignore it. Use clear language that builds curiosity or promises value.
3. Optimize for Mobile
Many users read emails on their phones. Ensure:
- Simple layouts
- Large buttons
- Minimal text
- Fast-loading images
- Easy scrolling
Always preview emails on mobile before sending.
4. Provide Real Value
Make every message useful. Share:
- Tips
- Resources
- Updates
- Special offers
- Industry insights
Avoid sending too many promotional messages.
5. Use Clear CTAs
Your call to action should stand out visually and be easy to understand. Don’t overwhelm subscribers with too many options.
6. Make Unsubscribing Easy
Respect subscriber choices. Keeping your list clean improves performance and avoids spam reports.
Start Driving Sales with Email Marketing
Email marketing remains one of the strongest channels for nurturing leads, building customer loyalty, and driving consistent sales. By planning a strategy, choosing the right tools, building your list, segmenting your audience, automating workflows, and analyzing your results, you can create highly effective campaigns.
For better execution, businesses and freelancers often collaborate with email marketing experts available on Gigred. From automation setup to creative templates and analytics support, these experts help make email campaigns cleaner, more targeted, and more aligned with your goals.