2026 Guide to Email Newsletters for Authors & Artists
Email marketing continues to be one of the most powerful tools for authors and artists to build direct, meaningful connections with their audience. While social media platforms change constantly, your email list is something you own and that makes it essential for long-term growth.
In this guide, I’ll walk through the foundational steps to help you get started with email marketing confidently and begin growing your list.
And while you’re here, be sure to grab my free List Growth Starter Kit - your step-by-step guide to email marketing and growing your list!
If you’d like deeper examples and step-by-step walkthroughs, you can watch the full video or listen to the podcast linked below.
Prefer to watch or listen rather than read this article?
Choosing the Right Email Platform
The first step in setting up your newsletter is selecting a platform that fits your needs. Look for one that’s easy to use, offers automation, and provides strong customer support. Automation is especially valuable. It allows you to welcome new subscribers with pre-set sequences, saving you time while keeping your audience engaged.
My suggested choice is Brevo (affiliate link!), which is an easy-to-use platform that streamlines email marketing. Brevo provides scheduling, automation, integration with WhatsApp and SMS, and transparent analytics to monitor interaction. In 2026, personalized communication is essential, and Brevo facilitates campaign customization. Additionally, new users can use the code BYSHELBY50 to receive 50% off their first three months.
Setting Up Your Branded Email Address
Think of your branded email as your professional signature. Sending newsletters from a generic Gmail or Yahoo account feels informal and unprofessional. You’re aiming for credibility, and a custom, domain-based email makes a real difference. People trust it more, and they’re more likely to actually open your emails. Getting set up is usually easy because services like Squarespace bundle domains with branded email options, so you can handle everything in a few clicks.
Building and Segmenting Your List
Once your platform and email address are ready, the next step is building your subscriber list. But here’s where the magic happens: segmentation. Instead of treating your audience as one big group, you can create smaller, more personalized segments. For example, you might separate authors from artists or divide readers by genre. That way, every message feels a little more like it was meant just for them; people will notice and appreciate that.
Crafting Your Welcome Email & Lead Magnet
Your welcome email is your first impression, so make it warm and memorable. Pair it with a lead magnet - a freebie that gives people a real reason to join your list. If you write, drop a bonus chapter or a playlist inspired by your book. If you’re an artist, maybe it’s printable bookmarks, a digital art pack, or poetry prints. The point is to surprise and delight new subscribers so they actually care about what comes next.
Promoting Your Newsletter
A great newsletter deserves an audience, and promotion is how you get there. Add your sign-up form to your website and social bios but don’t stop there - talk about it regularly. Remind people what they’ll get and share sneak peeks of your freebie. Team up with other creatives and swap mentions. When you share each other’s newsletters, you both reach wider audiences.
Staying Compliant
It’s not the most glamorous part of email marketing, but compliance matters. Most countries require you to include a business address in the footer of your emails. If you’d rather not use your home address, a PO box or virtual address works perfectly. A quick search for your country’s email marketing laws will give you peace of mind and ensure your newsletter stays professional and trustworthy.
Final Thoughts
Launching a newsletter doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Just take it step by step: pick your platform, set up your branded email, build (and segment!) your list, greet people with a genuine welcome email, and get the word out. What you’re really doing is creating a community of people who actually look forward to hearing from you.
For the full guide, watch the video linked above and check out the free List Growth Starter Kit - your free step-by-step guide to email marketing and growing your list!
Thank you for taking the time to read! I hope these insights help spark new ideas for your own newsletter and inspire you to connect more meaningfully with your audience!