Can I do email marketing myself? Yes, with the right tools and a clear plan you can launch engaging, revenue-generating campaigns for your small business while keeping costs low.
Can I Do Email Marketing Myself?
Running a shop, clinic or food truck already keeps you busy, yet email marketing is easier than most owners think. The average return is $36 for every $1 you spend, so even a tiny list can pay off. (OptinMonster)
With simple software, clear goals and ten minutes a week, you can start driving repeat sales and five-star reviews from your own inbox.
Why Email Works for Local Businesses
- Huge reach. Nearly 4.6 billion people use email today, and the number keeps climbing. (OptinMonster)
- Customers check often. About 88% of adults open their inbox several times a day, so your deals sit where eyes already are. (OptinMonster)
- Popular with owners. 53% of small-business owners use email as their top channel for finding and keeping customers. (Constant Contact)
- Still affordable. 64% of small firms pick email because it’s cheaper and easier than ads. (Forbes)
“Email has an ability many channels don’t: creating valuable, personal touches — at scale.” — David Newman (Emma)
What You Need Before You Hit Send
1. A purpose-built service
Choose a platform like Mailchimp, Constant Contact or Brevo. These handle sign-ups, templates and spam laws for you.
2. A simple list
Start with customers you already serve. Get permission at checkout or add a pop-up on your site.
3. One branded template
Drag-and-drop a header, short text block and a single button. Mobile-friendly matters: 50% of readers delete emails that don’t fit their phone screen. (OptinMonster)
4. A sending schedule
Data shows Tuesday is the favorite day for opens, especially in the morning. (Constant Contact)
But, it may differ for your business. Experiment at first. Then, pick a day and stay consistent.
A 6-Step DIY Plan (Follow in order)
- Set a tiny goal. Example: “Sell three extra pizzas every Thursday.”
- Collect addresses. Offer a 10 % coupon for joining.
- Write a welcome email. Thank them, restate the coupon, link to hours. Keep under 150 words.
- Send a weekly tip. One quick local problem + your fix.
- Add one clear call-to-action. “Book now” or “Reply with your order.”
- Automate. Automated sequences earn 320% more revenue than one-off blasts, so let software send birthdays or appointment reminders for you. (OptinMonster)
Proof It Pays Off
| Metric | Industry Average | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Open rate | 32.55% across all industries | Roughly one in three people read your email. |
| Click-through | 2-3 % average | Expect a handful of clicks per 100 readers. |
| ROI | $36 per $1 invested | Email beats ads, flyers and social posts on cost. |
(Constant Contact, OptinMonster)
Keep these numbers in mind; even “average” performance is worthwhile for a neighborhood brand.
Common DIY Pitfalls to Avoid
- Sending too often. Depending on your audience, sending more than twice a week may feel spammy and drive unsubscribes.
- No mobile preview. Test on your own phone first.
- Long walls of text. Stick to 2-3 short sentences per paragraph and use bullets.
- Forgotten call-to-action. Every email needs one clear next step.
- Ignoring data. Track opens and clicks; improve the worst performers.
When to Call in Help
You can handle daily sends, but if you:
- Need custom design or segmentation you can’t figure out quickly
- Want advanced funnels tied to your POS
- Lack time during your busy season
…consider outsourcing parts of the workload. Diffyweb can build full automation while you keep creative control. See our Email Marketing services for more info.
Quick Recap & Next Moves
Yes, you can do email marketing yourself. Start small, use templates, and let automation work while you serve customers. Begin today by drafting one welcome email and collecting your first ten addresses. Your future sales (and inbox) will thank you.
Sources
- OptinMonster, “40+ Email Marketing Statistics 2025” — ROI, user counts, mobile stats, automation revenue. OptinMonster
- Forbes Advisor, “49 Top Email Marketing Statistics” — 64 % small-business adoption. Forbes
- Constant Contact, “Small Business Now Report 2024” — 53 % owners rely on email. Constant Contact
- Constant Contact blog, “Email Marketing Statistics & Trends 2024-25” — average open rate, preferred send day. Constant Contact
- Emma Email Marketing, “9 Actionable Email Quotes” — David Newman quotation. Emma