You’ve got a side hustle. You’re passionate about it. But how do you get others to sit up and take notice? To trust you? To buy from you?
The answer? Email marketing.
Email, as opposed to social media, isn’t curated by algorithms. Well, your message goes straight to your audience’s inbox. It’s personal. Powerful. And one of the best ways to scale your business.
The Email Marketing Struggle
I know a friend. Jake. He is a freelance graphic designer. Super talented. But finding clients? That was the hard part.
He experimented indiscriminately at first — ads, social media, cold emails. Nothing worked. That’s when he launched an email list. His free design guide was something to sign up for. Shared tips, insights and deals.
People signed up. Read his emails. Trusted him. And guess what? They started hiring him.
Why Side Hustlers Should Think About Email Marketing
It’s also not just about sending messages: Email marketing does far more than just sending messages. It builds relationships. Establishes trust. Nurtures leads. It works because:
It’s straight to the point – Your emails go directly into their mailbox.
It builds authority – When you provide value, people will trust you.
It keeps you on the top of mind — Frequent emails = brand awareness.
It converts better – Emails have a better conversion rate than social media.
The cost is an all-time low – Zero dollar ad cost.
When done correctly, email marketing helps you make your side hustle sustainable. Profitable. Scalable.
The Complete Guide to Building an Engaged Email List
The Most Important Part of This Process: Offer Something of Value (Lead Magnet)
Most people don’t hand over their email addresses free of charge. They need a reason.
Develop a lead magnet — an enticing freebie. Some ideas:
For a fitness coach: “Home Workout Plan For 7 Days
For a web designer: “Ultimate Website Checklist”
For a handmade jewelry business: “How to Clean & Store Jewelry”
Make it useful. Make it irresistible.
يساعدك اختيار منصة البريد الإلكتروني المناسبة
Don’t send emails manually. Use an email marketing tool.
Great free options:
Mailchimp – Very user-friendly, suitable for newbies.
ConvertKit – Best for creators.
MailerLite — Price range of Options with features.
Pick one. Set up an account. Start building.
Create a Simple Sign-Up Form
So make it easy for them to subscribe.
Add a form to your website.
Use pop-ups (but not too annoying).
Has the potential to leap frog over other attempts.
Include a mention of your freebie in blog posts and videos.
Fewer steps = more sign-ups.
The emails that people actually want to open
Boring emails? Get ignored. Spammy emails? Get deleted.
Write like a human. Be helpful. Be engaging.
Types of emails to send:
Emails We All Need – Welcome Email – Introduce. Deliver the freebie.
Value-Driven Emails — Tips, how-tos, behind-the-scenes
Personal Stories — Make the reader feel who you are.
VIP Deals – Subscribers get one-time discounts.
ClientSuccess Stories – Pees real results.
Keep it short. Keep it valuable.
Stick to a Schedule
Inconsistent emails? People forget you.
Start with 1 email per week.
Choose a send day (and do it).
Don’t disappear on your list for months, then blast them with 5 emails.
Consistency builds trust.
Personalize Your Emails
No one enjoys boilerplate emails. Make emails feel personal.
Use their first name.
Use segmentation (send different emails to different people)
Talk like you are talking to a friend.
Having personalized emails deliver better open rates.
Track, Test & Improve
Don’t guess what works. Track your results.
Open rates – Are people actually opening your emails?
Click rates – Are they clicking on your links?
Unsubscribes – Are they exiting your list?
Test different subject lines. Try new content styles. Improve over time.
Email Marketing: How to Convert Subscribers into Clients
Email does not simply send messages. It’s for turning readers into customers.
Here’s how:
Use emails to betoken your proficiencies – Display that you know what you are doing.
Value first – Help people before you sell.
Add clear CTAs — Inform readers of the next steps.
Give scarcity – The offer is only in a limited time, it is an exclusive offer.
These 5 groups to show testimonials – Credibility building.
And an email subscriber is far more likely to purchase than a social media follower.
So what does this say about email marketing?
Let’s be honest. Email marketing takes effort. A list takes time to build. Results don’t come overnight.
Some days it will seem like no one is reading. No one’s engaging. But stay consistent. Keep delivering value.
Jake? He stuck with it. After a few months, his list expanded. A year later? Because most of his clients came from email marketing.
Final Thoughts
Your side hustle also requires loyal customers. Email marketing turns you into a discoverable resource. Keep them. Convert them.
Start now. Build your list. Stay consistent. And over time? Your emails will convert subscribers into paying clients.
Your audience is waiting. Now go send that first email.