Training a squirrel to water-ski: That’s about how tricky it feels to manage an email list when you’re just starting out. You’ve got your list, your emails, and your hopes, but somehow, things go haywire.

One day, you’re being asked to send a bunch of emails to a list that came from “oh, somewhere; I don’t remember.” The next, you’re staring at SPF, DKIM, and DMARC like they’re letters in a bowl of alphabet soup. And don’t even get me started about writing calls to action in emails that no one clicks. It’s like trying to nail jelly to a wall!

But don’t panic; you’re not alone. Every newbie stumbles over these hurdles.

The good news? They’re totally fixable.

Ready to turn your email list chaos into a smooth ride? Keep reading – I’ve got some easy fixes to save your day.

One major mistake newbies make is not getting proper consent before sending emails. Rookie Email List Managers make the common mistake of trusting what the email list owner is telling you about their list. I’ve made this mistake more than once early on, when I was starting out.

A lot of times, when someone hires you to manage their list of email contacts, they got them from “oh, somewhere, I can’t remember …,” or they got them so long ago, that the people who opted in have long since forgotten. Other times, you’ll be given a list that someone “bought off the internet.”

Getting prior consent is not just about being polite; it’s the law. Regulations like CAN-SPAM, CASL, and GDPR exist to protect people’s privacy and ensure they only get emails they’ve agreed to receive.

Don't push the limits! Not meeting these regulations can cause severe fallout. Reputations take a serious hit when hefty fines come knocking, and the aftermath can be just as brutal.

Subscribers who receive unsolicited emails are likely to mark them as spam, which can hurt your sender reputation and deliverability rates.

You're not just risking trust - you're threatening the very relationships that can make or break your success. Long-term victories demand that you play by the book.

Do you have a system in place to keep everything above board? Start with a clear and straightforward opt-in process. Make sure subscribers explicitly agree to receive emails from you, and always provide an easy way to opt out.

Keep records of their consent and regularly review your practices to stay up to date with any changes in regulations.

The payoff for staying legal and subscriber-friendly is well worth the minor inconvenience. Believe me, these guidelines are crash protection for your future sanity.

Picture this: You’ve just sent out your latest email campaign, confident it will reach your subscribers. But instead, it lands in the dreaded spam folder.

What went wrong?

One common rookie mistake is neglecting to implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. These email authentication protocols might sound like a mouthful, but they’re essential for ensuring your emails actually get delivered.

Think of them as the bouncers at the nightclub, making sure only legit emails get in. SPF (Sender Policy Framework) helps verify that the sender’s IP address is allowed to send emails on behalf of your domain. DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) adds a digital signature to your emails, proving they haven’t been tampered with during transit. DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance) ties it all together, telling email providers how to handle emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks.

Without these protocols, your emails are more likely to be flagged as spam or, worse, rejected altogether.

Implementing these protocols might sound complex, but most email service providers offer step-by-step guides to make it easier. Ignoring them is like leaving your front door wide open – you’re just asking for trouble. So, take the time to set them up properly. Your deliverability rates will thank you, and your emails will have a much better chance of reaching your subscribers' inboxes. Trust me, it’s worth the effort.

Do you want to know more? Buy the Sell With Email Starter Pack and learn all about Email Copywriting, and Email Deliverability.

Also, check out this article to more info about SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.

Imagine you’re trying to convince someone who has never heard of you to make a big purchase right off the bat. Targeting the UNAWARE group with a call to action like "Buy Now" is a major misstep. These people don’t know you yet and haven’t had the chance to build any trust. Pushing them to buy before establishing a relationship is premature and likely to push them away. Instead, a softer approach, like inviting them to check out a free resource or learn more about your brand, would be more proper.

Now, consider the INTERESTED group, where people are just starting to warm up to your brand. If you hit them with a call to action such as "Sign Up for Our Premium Service," you’re jumping the gun. At this stage, they are still exploring and might not be ready to commit financially. A more fitting call to action would be offering a free trial or asking them to subscribe to your newsletter, which allows them to engage further without feeling pressured.

Finally, let’s talk about the ENGAGERS who are already using your product at a low cost or for free. Sending them a call to action like "Refer a Friend" might be asking too much too soon. They haven't yet experienced the full value of your product or built enough trust to confidently recommend it to others. Instead, encourage them to explore premium features or offer them a limited-time discount to upgrade, which can deepen their engagement and move them closer to becoming buyers.

Navigating the world of email list management can feel like a high-wire act, especially when you're just starting out. But by understanding and avoiding these common mistakes— not complying with opt-in regulations, neglecting essential email authentication protocols, and writing the wrong calls to action —you can set yourself up for success.

Earning the trust of your audience is like constructing a sturdy bridge, plank by careful plank. You can't rush it. From the outer circles of the unaware to the inner circles of loyal advocates, each level of the Buyers' Circles of Trust requires a tailored approach.

Crafting emails that speak to where your audience is yields bonds that are both meaningful and productive.

Keep learning, keep adjusting, and soon enough, managing your email list will feel less like herding cats and more like steering a well-oiled machine.

So, take a deep breath, roll up your sleeves, and dive into your email marketing with confidence. Practice breeds progress, and the more time you put into honing your skills, the clearer it becomes that all your hard work is paying off. Slam the send button with confidence!