Common Email Marketing Myths

Are These Email Marketing Myths Holding You Back from a Lucrative Revenue Stream?

You know you should start an email list. You’ve heard it from every marketing guru, your cousin’s boyfriend who “does social media,” and probably even your barista. But you keep putting it on the back burner. Maybe you’re scared, overwhelmed, or just straight-up skeptical.

Or maybe you just don't see the value in an email list. So let’s bust some of the myths that are holding you back, because an email list is one of your most valuable business assets. Imagine this: if your social media accounts were hacked, went down, or taken away from you, how would you communicate with your audience?

Myth #1: "Email Marketing is Dead"

Umm... how many emails in your inbox right now? Go on, be honest.

Want me to go first?

36,505.

Yep!

Ok, your turn. Email marketing is positively thriving. You know what is dead though? Your brilliant social media posts disappearing into the void, never to be seen again. But email... email is a direct connection to your ideal audience—it's like being invited into someone's living room, rather than trying to get their attention by yelling at 'em from the street.

People check their email. All the damn time. Often before they even go pee in the morning. (You too?) And if they signed up to hear from you, they want to see your email.

Myth #2: "It’s Spammy and Annoying"

Yes, spam is definitely annoying. No one wants to be pitched miracle diets or told their car warranty is expiring (especially when they don't even own a car). But your email list? It’s not spam if you’re providing value. People choose to hear from you.

If you’re helping them solve a problem, making them laugh, or even just making their day a little brighter, that’s not spam. That’s a gift. And your audience wants your gift. No one unsubscribes from an email list they actually enjoy.

Myth #3: "I Need a Website to Get Started"

Nope, nope, and nope. But thanks to all the crappy marketers out there, a lot of entrepreneurs have this thing I call "website guilt." You do not need a fancy website, or even a website at all, to start building an email list (or even a business). There are plenty of simple landing page tools out there that will let you start collecting emails without any of the technical headaches. And a lot of them are free!

Think of your email list as a little corner of the internet where you get to say, “Hey, I’ve got cool stuff for you!” No website? No problem. Just focus on starting the conversation.

Myth #4: "No One Will Want to Sign Up"

Are you underselling yourself again? Stop that! You’re interesting, your business is awesome, and you have something valuable to share. Trust me, there’s a group of people out there who want exactly what you have to offer. (If some chick can sell farts in a jar on the internet—if you decide to Google that, make sure you do it in an incognito window—you can "sell" your email list.

Maybe you have fabulous behind-the-scenes stories, unique industry insights, themed rants, or weird finds like said farts in a jar. Whatever it is, there truly are folks who will be into it. Your just have to show up for them and make it easy for them to join your list. If you think no one will sign up, remember: Everyone starts at zero. EVERYONE.

Myth #5: "I Don't Have Enough Time"

You’re busy. I get it. Running a microbusiness means you’re wearing all the hats, from CEO to janitor. But email marketing isn’t about churning out endless content. It’s about showing up consistently—even if that means a short email once a month.

You don’t need to be Hemingway, and you don’t need a 3-hour time block. You need about 15 minutes and something interesting to say. Short, sweet, and honest emails go a long way. And once you get started, it becomes much easier (dare I say, even fun?).

Myth #6: "I Don't Know What to Say"

This one’s real similar to #4. Just be yourself. Talk to your subscribers like you’d talk to someone who’s genuinely curious about what you’re up to. Not your uncle Bob whose eyes glaze over when you try and explain what you do and then unhelpfully recommends you just go get a real job. No, that friend who gets excited when you're excited and encourages you to keep on leaping forward.

Your subscribers are there because they like you and what you do. They don’t want a snoozefest of a corporate newsletter. They want you. So let your personality shine through—your voice is what keeps people coming back.

Myth #7: "It's Too Expensive"

It's waaaaay cheaper than you may think. And markedly less than other marketing channels too. There are plenty of affordable tools out there—some even free—that allow you to get started without draining your budget. You don’t need the latest and greatest software to make an impact. Plus, the return on investment (ROI) for email marketing is among the highest of any marketing channel (studies show that for every buck you spend on email you can get up to $44 back, which is crazy high!). So while there might be some cost involved, the potential benefits far outweigh it. And it's tons cheaper than paying for endless social media ads or that billboard no one even looks at.

Myth #8: "Compliance is Too Complicated"

Ah, compliance—the part of email marketing that sounds scarier than it actually is. Yes, you need to follow rules like CAN-SPAM and DMARC to ensure your emails aren’t breaking the law. But it’s not rocket science. The basics are pretty straightforward: include an easy way for people to unsubscribe, be honest about who you are, and don’t mislead your audience. Simple, right?

And here’s a fun fact (okay, maybe not fun, but definitely eye-opening): each email that violates CAN-SPAM can lead to a $51,744 fine. Five of those and you could have bought yourself a Lamborghini! So, play by the rules, and you’ll be just fine. Most email platforms make compliance easier by helping you automate many of these requirements, so you don’t have to stress about it.

Let’s Wrap This Up

Here’s the truth: email marketing is not that scary, and it’s not a waste of time. It’s a powerful tool that’s sitting there waiting for you to use it. So, let’s stop letting these myths hold you back. Your people want to hear from you. They want what you have to offer.

Want some help getting started? Some hand-holding through that compliance shit? Figuring out what to offer as a lead magnet? Understanding what the hell a lead even magnet is? Yeah? Then come check out List Launchpad 🚀—where I'll help you get your email list up, running, and making money in just 21 days.