Email marketing has the highest ROI of any digital marketing channel — ₹42 returned for every ₹1 spent, according to industry data. For Indian bloggers and small businesses, building an email list is the most valuable asset you can create online. Here\’s how to start from zero.
Why Email Marketing Beats Social Media
- You own your email list — no algorithm can take it away
- Average email open rate (20-25%) far exceeds social media reach (1-5%)
- Direct access to your audience\’s inbox without paying for ads
- Email subscribers convert to buyers at 3-4x the rate of social media followers
Free Email Marketing Tools for Indian Businesses
- Mailchimp: Free for up to 500 subscribers and 1,000 emails/month
- Brevo (formerly Sendinblue): Free for up to 300 emails/day
- MailerLite: Free for up to 1,000 subscribers
- ConvertKit: Free for up to 1,000 subscribers (best for bloggers)
Building Your First Email List
Step 1: Create a Lead Magnet
Nobody gives away their email for nothing. Create a valuable free resource in exchange for their email:
- A PDF guide (e.g., \”5 Steps to Start Investing in India\”)
- A free checklist or template
- A mini email course (series of 5 emails)
- Exclusive discount or offer
Step 2: Add Signup Forms to Your Website
Place email capture forms in high-visibility locations: top of your homepage, end of every blog post, and as a pop-up (set to appear after 30 seconds or on exit intent).
Step 3: Send Consistent, Valuable Emails
Email your list at least once per week. Content ideas:
- Your latest blog post summary with a link
- A tip or insight related to your niche
- A product recommendation (affiliate) with explanation of why you recommend it
- A personal update to build connection
