Let’s talk email – and bust a few myths while we’re at it.
Because if I had a dollar for every time someone told me “email is dead,” I’d be sipping cocktails on a balcony somewhere bougie right now.
Truth is?
Email marketing is very much alive and still one of the highest-converting, most connection-building tools you can use.
But there’s a lot of bad advice out there.
So if you’re a creator or online biz owner trying to grow your list without burning out, this post is for you.
We’re cutting through the noise and clearing the air on what actually works (and what to ditch, like, yesterday).
What you'll learn in this post
- What outdated email strategies to stop doing now
- What modern email marketing really looks like
- How to build trust and engagement through email, without burning out
Myth #1: You need a massive list to make email work
The truth: You don’t need 10k subscribers.
You need 300 right-fit humans who are obsessed with what you do.
A small, warm list of people who trust you will always outperform a cold list of randos who forgot why they signed up in the first place.
→ What works: Quality over quantity every single time. Focus on building genuine connections, showing up consistently, and delivering value that makes your people go, “omg I needed this.” (Here is why your email subscribers stick around longer than your social media followers.)
Myth #2: You have to email every day to stay top of mind
The truth: Unless you love writing daily emails (and your audience loves getting them), this is a one-way ticket to Burnoutville.
Sustainable > aggressive. Always.
→ What works: Find a rhythm that you can actually stick to. Weekly, fortnightly, whatever, just make it consistent. Your people don’t need you in their inbox every day… they just need you to be real when you do show up. If you want a simple rhythm, start with the only 4 emails you need to stay consistent with your email marketing.
Myth #3: No one reads emails anymore
The truth: People still read emails. Especially when they’re thoughtful, value-packed, and sound like a real human wrote them.
ROI stats don’t lie – email marketing is still crushing it with an average return of $36 for every $1 spent. (Yeah, wild.)
→ What works: Skip the corporate vibes and speak from the heart.
Tell stories.
Share something useful.
Be a real f*cking human. That’s what people connect with.
Myth #4: Email funnels are gross & manipulative
The truth: A funnel is just a series of emails.
It’s not inherently sleazy – it’s how you use it that counts.
→ What works: Build trust. I don’t put new subscribers into a long welcome sequence anymore. I send one Start Here email that delivers the freebie, introduces me, sets expectations and gives them something to do. Real talk. Real value. Real connection.
No pressure. Just me being me and showing them how I can help. Here’s why: Do You Still Need a Welcome Sequence? Why I Send One Start Here Email Instead.
Myth #5: One lead magnet is enough
The truth: One-size-fits-all freebies are not the vibe.
Your audience is multi-faceted. Their needs change. Your offers evolve. So yeah, your lead magnets should too.
→ What works: Create a few freebies that align with your core offers or content pillars. Test them. Update them. Make them work for you. This is what I think about freebies in Do You Still Need a Freebie in 2026?.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a big email list for email marketing to work?
No. You do not need 10k subscribers. You need 300 right-fit humans who are obsessed with what you do. A small, warm list of people who trust you will always outperform a cold list of randos who forgot why they signed up.
Do I have to email every day?
Unless you love writing daily emails and your audience loves getting them, it is a one-way ticket to burnout. Find a rhythm you can actually stick to, weekly or fortnightly, and be consistent. Your people just need you to be real when you do show up.
Does anyone still read emails?
Yes, especially when they are thoughtful, value-packed and sound like a real human wrote them. Email marketing still returns an average of $36 for every $1 spent. Skip the corporate vibes, tell stories and share something useful.
Are email funnels manipulative?
A funnel is just a series of emails. It is not inherently sleazy, it is how you use it that counts. Build trust, give real value and keep the pressure off.
Is one lead magnet enough?
No. Your audience is multi-faceted, their needs change and your offers evolve, so your lead magnets should too. Create a few freebies that align with your core offers or content pillars, then test and update them.
Let’s rewrite the rules…
You don’t need a massive list.
You don’t need to email daily.
You don’t need to feel icky about funnels or settle for freebies that don’t convert.
You just need a real strategy that feels good to you and a list full of humans who want to hear from you.
💬 So tell me: what email myth has been holding you back?
Slide into the comments, spill your tea, or reply to this post if you’re nodding along and ready to do email your way.
Not sure how to show up in a way that actually works for you?
Take my free quiz and find the fastest way for you to grow your email list without social media.
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