Introduction: Why Email Feels So Hard in the Beginning

Hey there! Are you a service-based solopreneur building your email list from scratch and want to know simple emails to send even when you think no one’s reading? I was the same as you. When I first started building my business, everyone said the same thing:

Grow your email list. It’s the most valuable asset you’ll ever have.

And so, I did. I created a freebie, signed up for a platform ConvertKit (Kit, eventually), and told myself I’d write one newsletter a week. But then something happened: no one replied. No clicks. No real sense of whether anyone’s even opening your emails.

Open rates hovered at 10%. Clicks were zero. (By the way, you need these analytics to know how your emails are performing. Choose a platform that gives you these numbers in the simplest of ways.)
It felt like shouting into the void.

I nearly quit—and let me tell you that’s exactly when the doubt creeps in: Is this even worth it?

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What I Did Next

If you’re reading this, you’re probably there too. You’ve done the “right things”—maybe even spent hours writing—but the numbers aren’t encouraging. Let me reassure you: this phase is normal. It doesn’t mean your email strategy is failing. It means you’re in the quiet, foundational part of list-building—and I’m going to show you how to keep showing up without burning out or giving up. Here’s the truth: yes.

But you don’t need to send more emails—you just need to send the right ones.

This post will walk you through simple, low-pressure email ideas that connect with your subscribers, even when your list is small. These are the exact kinds of emails I sent when I was starting out—and still use now to grow and convert quietly, behind the scenes. Once you get the rhythm of writing newsletters, the ideas will keep flowing. Jot them down in the drafts folder of your email platform.

Why Your List Feels Empty (Even If People Are On It)

Before we get into what to send, let’s get one thing clear. Most new solopreneurs assume email is only worth doing once they hit 1,000+ subscribers and when they have a polished funnel. Others feel awkward emailing a small list, like they’re “wasting people’s time.” Some default to only sending promotions that feel disconnected, because they’re not sure what else to say.

So, they hesitate. They go quiet.

But the truth is:

• The people on your list don’t need polish. They need connection.
• They subscribed because they were interested.
• And if you stop emailing, they’ll forget why they ever joined.

So, you need to stop thinking like a broadcaster and start thinking like a relationship builder.

What’s Actually Going Wrong

Your audience isn’t ignoring you—they just don’t know you yet.
And you might be sending emails that are too formal or complicated. Maybe you are bombarding your audience with too frequent emails using a language which might not be easily understood. You have to understand here that you’re not trying to impress. You are trying to connect, make your own tribe.

And the best way to do that? Treat every email like you’re writing to one person.
A person who’s on their lunch break, checking emails between meetings, thinking:
“I really want this business to work. I just don’t know where to start.”

What Not to Do in Your Early Emails

Let’s start with a few things that drive readers away—even if your offer is great.

Mistake #1: Being too formal

People open emails from people—not brands. Keep your tone conversational and warm.

Mistake #2: Waiting too long between emails

If you wait a month before emailing again, your readers will forget who you are. Weekly or biweekly is ideal.

Mistake #3: Only selling

If you’re constantly linking to offers or promotions, subscribers will tune out. They joined to learn, not be pitched nonstop.

Mistake #4: Writing like it’s a blog post

Emails are shorter, snappier, and more personal than blog posts. Your intro doesn’t need three paragraphs. Get to the point. How many times do you remember enjoying to read a wall of words?

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What to Send When You Feel Stuck (Even With 3 Subscribers)

You don’t need a strategy that works for 10,000 people. You need one that works for 10. If your list is small and your confidence even smaller, here’s a simple, no-pressure framework I use with clients—and myself. You can rotate through these 5 types each week or batch them monthly.

Here’s a 5-part email framework to use when you feel stuck:

1. A “Quick Win” Email

Share one thing that helped you this week. One useful thing—fast.

This could be:

• A Canva template you loved
• A time-saving browser extension
• A recent post they may have missed

Subject line ideas:

• A 2-minute tip for your next blog post
• This made my emails 10x faster
• The 2-minute fix I used today

2. The “This Didn’t Work” Email

There is a saying that you should not only learn from your mistakes but also the mistakes of others. And your audience will benefit too. People trust you when you’re honest. Share something you tried that didn’t go well—and what you learned.

This could be a mistake or false start—and what you did instead. This makes you relatable and helpful and builds trust and teaches.

Subject line ideas:

• What I tried—and why it flopped
• I tried this and it flopped (here’s what I learned)
• This strategy failed me (but here’s what worked)

3. The “Here’s What I’m Working On” Email

Take people behind the scenes of your work. Let them see how you batch content, update your blog, or prep a new offer. This builds curiosity and creates emotional investment in your journey.

You can share:

• Your blog post batching system
• A new opt-in you’re building
• How you’re updating your website

Subject line ideas:

• I’m finally doing this (and it’s not what you think)
• Here’s what’s on my desk this week
• What I’m building this week (and why it’s not perfect)

4. The “Resource Roundup” Email

Curate helpful things for your audience. You become their filter. Send a roundup of 3–5 useful things: links, books, tools, or accounts.
People love being sent things they didn’t have to dig for.

Try:

• 3 blogs they’ll love
• 5 Instagram accounts for solopreneurs
• A short list of free tools

Subject line ideas:

• 5 links to save your scroll time
• Free tools I actually use
• 5 quick things for your business this week

5. The “Reader Check-In” Email

This is where connection really happens. Keep it short. Ask a question. Encourage replies. Send a plain-text, short note asking: What are you working on right now?
You’ll be surprised how many reply. And when they do? You now have a real conversation.

Example:

• Hey there—just checking in.
• What are you building right now? What’s feeling hard?
• I’m listening.

Even if only 1 person replies, you now have a relationship.

What If You Have Something to Sell?

If you’ve built up trust over time, you don’t need a flashy sales sequence. Even if your audience is small, you can absolutely offer your product or service.
You just need to say:

Here’s something I created that could help you solve [problem]. If it feels aligned, take a look. If not, I’ll be back next week with something useful either way.

And that’s the energy people respond to.

Here’s a low-pressure sales email format:

1. Start with a quick story — “Last week, a client asked me how to…”

2. Bridge to your offer — “I created [thing] to solve exactly that.”

3. Give a clear link + deadline — “Here’s where to check it out if it’s a fit.”

Subject line: “Here’s what I built (in case you need this too)”

Realistic Email Strategy: Week-by-Week Plan

Here’s a sample schedule if you’re starting from zero and only have an hour a week:

Week	What to Send
1	“Quick Tip” email based on something you just used
2	Behind-the-scenes update (with photo, if possible)
3	“This Didn’t Work” story or resource roundup
4	Invite to reply or ask a question (plain-text style)

Repeat this rhythm monthly. It keeps you consistent without burning out.

SEO Tip: Use These Keywords in Your Emails + Blog Posts

• What to send to a small email list
• Beginner email marketing strategy for solopreneurs
• Email content ideas when no one replies
• Newsletter ideas for service providers
• What to email your list when you feel stuck

Sprinkle them naturally throughout your blog post and in your image alt text (if you use screenshots or visuals).

Final Thoughts: Email Is a Long Game

If you’re building a business while working full-time, you need systems that work quietly in the background. Email is one of them.

Every Email Builds a Bridge

Your emails don’t have to go viral. They don’t have to be clever. They just have to be consistent, honest, and written like a human. Even if only 5 people read it today—those 5 could become clients tomorrow.
And refer others. Or share your freebie. They just quietly believe in you.

Don’t underestimate what a single email can do over time.

Even if your list is tiny—email shows up when the algorithm doesn’t.
It’s there even when you take a break—waiting for your return.
Even if no one replies—someone is reading.

Keep sending. Keep showing up. You’re building something steady. Quietly powerful. Just like you.

Need help writing your first 5 emails?

Or hit reply and ask me what to send next. I’m listening.

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