How to Start an Email List (MailerLite) in 20 Minutes: Beginner’s Guide (I’m Setting Mine Up, Too)

Everyone Starts at Zero

Ever wondered, how to start an email list? 🤔
Well, I put off starting an email list because… tech. 🙃 I told myself I needed a perfect funnel, a fancy freebie, and 1,000 subscribers before I could even begin… which is funny, because spoiler: everyone starts at zero…

Meanwhile I kept posting… praying for traffic, and realized I was building on someone else’s platform. If social goes quiet, my people are gone.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Where do I even start? Do I need a website? Do I have to be techy?”… same. I was overwhelmed and under-emailed (zero list, lol).

But here’s the truth: an email list is the simplest, most reliable way to serve your audience and invite them into your world… on your terms.

I’m setting mine up with MailerLite because it’s beginner friendly, affordable, and doesn’t make me cry. 😂

Come do it with me… step-by step… no fluff, no jargon.

How to Start an Email List (MailerLite)

Step 1: Pick a tiny “reason to subscribe” (5 mins)

(This is for later if you want to offer a freebie as an incentive.)

You don’t need a 40-page ebook. Start with one small win (you can make it in Google Docs):

• Faith + Mental Health: “5 Scriptures to Pray When Life Feels Heavy” (1-page PDF)
• Content Creation: “7 Post Prompts for When Your Brain is Fried” (1-page PDF)
• Pinterest Beginners: “Pinterest SEO Title Builder” (one simple worksheet)

Keep it simple. You can upgrade later.

Step 2: Create your MailerLite account (3 mins)

1. Go to MailerLite and sign up with your name + business email.
2. Add your sender name (e.g., “SusieQ | Life With SusieQ”) and a professional email (you can start with Gmail and upgrade to a domain later). If you haven’t chosen one, you can brainstorm business email address ideas later.
3. In Settings, add your business postal address (for compliance) and your logo if you have one.

Not techy? Breathe. You can verify a custom domain later… don’t let that stop you from starting.

Step 3: Make a Group (your audience bucket) (1 min)

• Create Group: “Newsletter… Faith. Wellness. Simple Online Income.”
  

Step 4: Build a signup form (5 mins)

• Create Embedded Form or Popup → connect to your Group.
• Form title: “Get the 5-Verse Comfort Guide” (swap for your mini freebie)
• Fields: first name (optional) + email
• Button: “Send it to me”

Add one short line beneath the button: “I’ll send gentle, helpful emails… unsubscribe anytime.”

Embed the form in a visible place:

• Your Start Here page
• A sitewide sidebar or footer
• Relevant posts (e.g., mental health, Pinterest how-to’s)

Step 5: Write the instant “Delivery Email” (4 mins)

Subject: Here’s your guide, friend 💜
Body (short and warm):

• Quick hello + link to download
• One sentence setting expectations (“I’ll email 1-2x/week with practical, faith-friendly tips.”)
• Invite reply: “What’s your #1 struggle right now?”

Step 6: Add a 3-Email Welcome Series (you can paste these)

If you’ve ever wondered how to write an email, I’ve got you. I looked up email writing samples, professional email writing, and how to email like a professional… here’s a simple three-day series so you don’t have to scour the internet.

Email 1 (Day 0): Delivery + quick win
Subject: Your download + a 60-second win
Hi {name}! Your guide is here: [download].
Try this today: read the first verse out loud + breathe for 60 seconds.
I’m SusieQ… faith, wellness, and simple online income (no overwhelm).
Hit reply and tell me: What would help you most right now?

Email 2 (Day 2): Story + belief shift
Subject: When life felt heavy, this helped…
Short personal story (2-3 sentences).
One actionable tip (journal prompt, Pinterest tip, or verse reflection).
CTA: “If you want a clear starting path, my Start Here page lays it out.”

(CTA = the step you want them to take.)

Email 3 (Day 4): First gentle offer
Subject: Want hand holding? Start here.
Share one offer that fits (e.g., Pinterest Marketing Academy for beginners, or Faith and Action Bundle for entrepreneurs).
Keep it kind: “If now’s not the time, save this for later. I’m cheering you on.”

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Step 7: Add your form link to everything (2 mins)

• Site header/footer
• About page + Start Here
• Top 3-5 blog posts
• Social bios (“Get my free comfort guide ▸ [link]”)

If some of this sounds like gibberish, breathe… MailerLite has clear step-by-step tutorials and beginner videos.

FAQs (for true beginners)

Do I need a website first?
No. MailerLite gives you a simple landing page + form. Your site can come later.

What should I email?
One small win per email: a tip, a verse, a checklist. Be helpful… that is much better than trying to be perfect.

How often should I send?
Start with weekly. Consistency beats intensity.

Why Start Today (even if you’re scared)?

Because your words help real people. Social platforms can disappear; email lets you serve your people directly… gently, consistently, and without the algorithm mood swings.

Join MailerLite here:
Set the timer for 20 minutes and take the next tiny step. I’m doing it with you. 💜

Final Thoughts: Start Small, Hit Send

You don’t need a perfect funnel to begin… you need a tiny bit of courage and one clear next step. An email list lets you serve your people directly (no algorithm required), and even 10 subscribers is a room worth showing up for. Build it slowly, kindly, and consistently. God can do a lot with faithful little steps. 💜

Your 10-Minute Next Steps

1. Add your MailerLite form to your Start Here page and sidebar.
2. Draft your first hello email (subject: A quick hello from SusieQ).
3. Invite replies: Hit reply and tell me what you’re working on this week.
4. Schedule one email a week (same day/time) and stick to it for a month.

Quick win ideas for email #1

• Share why you started this list and how you hope to help.
• One helpful link or tip they can use today.
• A simple prayer or encouragement for anyone feeling behind.

You’ve got this. Press send, learn… and keep going… your future self (and your readers) will thank you. 💌

Until next time…