You absolutely do not need a massive email list to make money with email. What you do need is a solid strategy and a few professional copy tips. If you're putting time and energy into writing, designing, and scheduling emails, you want to make sure people are actually opening, reading, and taking action.
In this post, I’m breaking down my favorite email marketing strategies so you can start sending emails that generate revenue, even without a massive audience.
You'll learn how to:
- Apply the 80/20 rule for value to selling
- Write effective subject lines using FOMO + curiosity gaps for more eyes on your emails
- Start with a goal to keep your emails focused and more effective
- Be consistent in your email marketing (without getting overwhelmed
What are you waiting for? Let's get to the money-making email magic!
Lead with value if you want to make money with email
The #1 thing that makes emails effective? Value.
Your entire email strategy should be grounded in value. Every subject line, every sentence, every send—value should guide it all.
Here’s a simple framework: the 80/20 value-to-sell ratio.
- 80% of the time, focus on helping, teaching, inspiring, and guiding.
- 20% of the time, you’re asking them to take action—whether that’s buying, clicking, watching, or replying.
This doesn’t apply to launch or sales sequences (those flip the ratio), but for weekly newsletters or nurture emails, the more value you provide, the more trust you build—and the more sales you’ll see long term.
A strong subject line = more eyes on your emails
Before someone can see all that value, they’ve gotta open your email. That’s where your subject line does the heavy lifting.
Most people summarize their email in the subject line like: “How to Improve Your Open Rates.” That’s fine, but it’s not compelling. If your reader doesn’t already care about open rates, they’ll scroll right past.
Instead use:
- FOMO (fear of missing out): “99% of my clients use this tool to make more money”
- Curiosity gap: “Are you a fan of this yellow fruit?”
The goal is to give just enough info to spark interest without giving away the full story. Curiosity creates clicks. And clicks lead to conversions.
Start with a goal
A powerful email starts with a clear, specific goal before you even write it.
First decide: What do you want your reader to feel, learn, or do?
Write it down before you type a single word. That goal should guide the story you tell, the tips you share, and the call to action at the end. If you veer off track (hello, mid-email detours), circle back and revise until your message clearly supports your goal.
Confused readers don’t buy. Clarity makes everything more effective.
Consistency is your bff for making money with email
Let’s bust a myth: consistency ≠ constant.
You don’t need to email your list seven times a week. (Please don’t.) But you do need to show up regularly with:
- A consistent schedule (pick a day and mostly stick to it)
- A consistent brand voice (sound like you)
- Consistent value (always offer something useful)
Even your most loyal readers won’t open every email. That’s normal. But when you show up consistently with valuable content that feels like your brand, you build trust—and that trust turns into sales.
Yes, you can make a sale with the very next email you send. But email marketing works best as a long-term strategy. When you commit to regularly sending value-packed, goal-driven emails, you create a system that brings in consistent sales without constantly chasing leads.
So if you’ve got a great offer, a product that helps people, or a service your dream clients need… and you’ve got their email? You can make money with emails.
Want help making money with your emails?
That's kind of my jam. At Emily Writes Well, I write the consistent, engaging, wildly effective emails service providers, coaches, and small business owners need to connect + make more sales.
Into handing over your email marketing to a pro? Click here to let me know what you're looking for!
And if you're more into doing it yourself, don't leave without snagging this 107 Ideas for Your Next Email (that are actually fun, creative, and never boring.)
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