Which email software should I use to build an email list from scratch?

by xixna
19 replies
Which email marketing software should I use to build an email list from scratch? It doesn't make good financial sense to pay over $200 per year in order to use an expensive email automation system if I am just starting out. I can use MailChimp which is free up to a list of 2000 subscribers but won't be able send follow up emails with their free plan.

Since I'm building an email list from scratch, should I be worried about follow up emails at all since I won't be making much money from a small list anyway?

Or should I go for the monthly paid autoresponder from start?
#build #email #list #scratch #software
  • Profile picture of the author Mark Y
    Well you want to keep your email list subscribers 'warm' with ongoing valuable content. I can't really see any solid reason to ignore them after you have them, as you will certainly build more trust and make more money in the long run if you keep them interested in the value packed content you routinely deliver.

    Personally I'd go with Aweber rather than Mailchimp, if only to allow you to send followup emails.
    Set yourself off strongly, on the right foot, right from the start!
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    • Profile picture of the author megamind22
      Originally Posted by Mark Y View Post

      Well you want to keep your email list subscribers 'warm' with ongoing valuable content. I can't really see any solid reason to ignore them after you have them, as you will certainly build more trust and make more money in the long run if you keep them interested in the value packed content you routinely deliver.

      Personally I'd go with Aweber rather than Mailchimp, if only to allow you to send followup emails.
      Set yourself off strongly, on the right foot, right from the start!
      Very well said Mark cause if you want your list to make money for you then a bit of investment would suffice afterall even a list with just 200 subscribers can make you 5 figures a month if you are (1) in a lucrative niche and (2) if you offer them value and make them trust you.

      You spend money to make more money bro...
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  • Profile picture of the author alamest
    Hello xixna

    You need to have follow up system otherwise there is no point to collect leads.

    If you collect their name and email address and if you can not send follow message how long you are going to send emails everyday..that is a full time job.

    they are charging $200 per year because they know you are making money that is why they are charging for the service, if you are not making money from your list then you are doing something wrong.

    It is possible to make good money every month from small list, you need to know how to build trust with your leads, you have to learn it.

    There are many Autoresponder company like Aweber and so on, you have to start with some one and make sure you should have follow up message otherwise totally pointless to collect leads.

    You are doing a business not any part time job, so you have to be serious and invest in your business.

    I hope this helps you.
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  • Profile picture of the author ksurivan
    I wouldn't go with a monthly paid autoresponder if you're just starting out. I would go with a self hosted email software. There's a couple available now, such as Email Jeet, Mailitplugin and many others. Do a google search and you'll find more options.
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  • Profile picture of the author blyle
    Above all else, a paid autoresponder service is going to give you the most bang for your buck, a service like Aweber starts at only $19 per month for up to 500 subscribers and you can send as many messages as you desire.

    You can pay it upfront for a year and save a few bucks.With less than half of that number of subscribers and a proper series of messages and product/services, you will well recoup the $19 and add some money in your pocket to boot.
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  • Profile picture of the author Rob Whisonant
    What ever software or service you select, make sure you constantly BACKUP your email list. That way if you do make a mistake and get your service terminated you still have your list.
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  • Profile picture of the author patrickclayton
    You can try Aweber or Getresponse. They both come with a host of features and are pretty reasonably priced as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author desireedavid
    Personally, I don't think it's about how big your email list is. For me, it's about reaching a niche market, and keeping them interested in your content. You can have thousands in your list, but only a handful of people will stay subscribed if your content is not engaging or responsive.

    Focus on quality content and ensure that you have follow up.
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  • Profile picture of the author james flynn
    Originally Posted by xixna View Post

    Which email marketing software should I use to build an email list from scratch? It doesn't make good financial sense to pay over $200 per year in order to use an expensive email automation system if I am just starting out. I can use MailChimp which is free up to a list of 2000 subscribers but won't be able send follow up emails with their free plan.

    Since I'm building an email list from scratch, should I be worried about follow up emails at all since I won't be making much money from a small list anyway?

    Or should I go for the monthly paid autoresponder from start?
    If you think your turnover is decent then I think you should stick with the autoresponder.It will save you from alot of hassle and save time to concentrate on alot of other important issues. I have heard that Activecompaign offers a pretty manageable plan to monitor your client's email. Give it a try or stay with the plan you already have.

    Cheers-James
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  • Profile picture of the author thegreatamazing
    Hello buddy! I recommend Mailerlite.. It has a free plan up to 1000 susbcribers and guess what?? Unlike mailchimp, you can access all the features of mailerlite even on free plan, and yep, you can access autoresponders. And not to mention UNLIMITED EMAILS! ALL FOR FREE! How cool is that?
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  • Profile picture of the author jinmin
    You should have follow-up sequence in your autoresponder. MailerLite is a good option that you can try if you are just starting out, it allows you to create follow-up messages. The other alternative is to use self hosted option such as Mail It (a WP plugin).
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  • Profile picture of the author desireedavid
    Have you looked into ActiveTrail yet?
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  • Profile picture of the author kIwOk168
    Originally Posted by xixna View Post

    Which email marketing software should I use to build an email list from scratch? It doesn't make good financial sense to pay over $200 per year in order to use an expensive email automation system if I am just starting out. I can use MailChimp which is free up to a list of 2000 subscribers but won't be able send follow up emails with their free plan.

    Since I'm building an email list from scratch, should I be worried about follow up emails at all since I won't be making much money from a small list anyway?

    Or should I go for the monthly paid autoresponder from start?
    If you're collecting emails, you should really be ready to send out follow-up emails. If not, then what's the point, right?

    In that sense, $200 a year is really the standard price for basic-featured autoresponders so there's really no way around it. It's not that expensive anyway so it would serve you well to accept that if you really want to build an email list.
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  • Profile picture of the author awalaravind
    For e mail marketing I am using mail chimp. it works fine and you can use the signup form in mail chimp to get subscribers from your site or blog as well.
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  • Profile picture of the author rritz
    Why do you think you can't send follow up emails with Mailchimp? I do and did it from the beginning and I am on the free plan. Or have there been some changes to that? I didn't hear anything about it if so.
    I think even Mailchimp free plan is as good as aweber any time. Only they do not allow affiliate marketing at all. So if you can use the free Mailchimp plan then use it. Why pay if you can get it for free? And until you get started you won't know if you can make any money at all. So using the free plan gives you time to build your list and try making money without a monthly bill adding stress
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  • Profile picture of the author SamNuku
    Yes you need a paid autoresponder service. Plain & simple.

    Trust me i wrestled with this question for a very long time!

    At the end of the day its a free acc because there are many things you cannot do with it & if you ever get even slightly serious about email marketing & you should (6 7 & 8 figure earners state 80% of their income comes from email marketing) you need to be able to do these things.

    It really does honestly go beyond the follow up's dude. Pony up the money. Its well worth it.

    Look at Getresponse $15 for like 1,000 subscribers a month great value heaps of features.
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  • Profile picture of the author bluemotion
    Originally Posted by xixna View Post

    Which email marketing software should I use to build an email list from scratch? It doesn't make good financial sense to pay over $200 per year in order to use an expensive email automation system if I am just starting out. I can use MailChimp which is free up to a list of 2000 subscribers but won't be able send follow up emails with their free plan.

    Since I'm building an email list from scratch, should I be worried about follow up emails at all since I won't be making much money from a small list anyway?

    Or should I go for the monthly paid autoresponder from start?
    To build an email list of 'Buyers' you first need a capture page to collect the email addresses. The capture page should be used to give away something of value. Use the list then to build a relationship with your subscribers, so they begin to know and trust you. Then you start sending them offers. This is where the money is made.

    People rarely buy from direct offers these days. This is why you need a capture page with a valuable giveaway. No rehashed crappy PLR. People are wise to that these days.
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  • Profile picture of the author Francisco PIW
    Wow, so many answers so far and none of them mentioned Mail Poet.

    Mail Poet is the perfect tool for you. Mail Poet is an email tool which can be completely used from WordPress by installing the plugin.

    There is no limit of subscribers, and they allow autoresponders. It doesn't look as fancy as Aweber or Getresponse but is for free.

    In a nutshell.... FREE + Unlimited Subscribers + Autorresponders = Mail Poet

    You are welcome!
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  • Profile picture of the author Don Mann
    I would use Getresponse. You use it free, up to 1,000 then. You pay under $20 a month. This helps, build your list and start to make money.
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