Look, I get it. When you’re launching something new—whether it’s a side hustle, a podcast, a handmade soap brand, or a SaaS tool—it’s easy to focus on the flashy stuff. Logos, websites, social media handles. But there’s one thing that almost every new creator or founder skips... and it’s arguably the most important: collecting emails.
Not later. Not “once I get some traction.” Day one.
Everyone has an email address. Your grandma, your dentist, your coworker who still uses Hotmail—it’s the one platform that cuts across age, industry, and interest.
Social media’s great for reach, sure. But it’s a moving target. Algorithms change. Audiences drift. And don’t even get me started on the anxiety of posting content into the void, hoping for a few likes.
Email, though? It’s direct. It’s personal. It’s opt-in, which means when someone joins your list, they’re saying, “Hey, I actually care about what you’re doing.” That’s huge.
Here’s the thing most people mess up: they treat email like a cash register. Get the list, hit send, pitch the product. Rinse, repeat.
But that’s not how trust works. That’s not how people work.
The best email lists aren’t just databases—they’re communities. And communities grow when you show up like a human. Share what you’re building. Talk about what’s working (and what’s not). Drop a link to something cool you read. Recommend a tool that saved you three hours. Be helpful. Be real.
You don’t have to write essays. Just talk to your list the way you’d talk to a smart friend who cares about your work.
People stick around. They reply. They forward your stuff. They start to associate your name with value—and that’s the kind of brand-building no amount of ad spend can buy.
Later on, when you launch a product or ask for support, you won’t be selling to strangers. You’ll be inviting your community to take the next step with you.
And yeah, it might not feel exciting. There’s no viral rush. No follower count to screenshot. But email works.
It’s slow. It’s steady. It’s yours.
The earlier you start, the more momentum you’ll build. And if you’re thinking, “But I only have five subscribers”—good. Those five are your founding members. Treat them like gold.