Let me guess. You’ve signed up for a dozen newsletters, skimmed through a few, and actually read maybe… one. So when someone asks, “Should my business have a newsletter?” the knee-jerk reaction is: Do people even read those any more?
Short answer: YES—if done right.
Long answer? Well, grab your coffee (or wine, we don’t judge), because we’re about to break down whether a newsletter is worth the time, energy, and brainpower for your small business.
What Is an Email Newsletter (And What It’s Definitely Not)
An email newsletter isn’t a sales pitch disguised as a love letter. It’s not a spammy “BUY NOW!” parade. It’s a direct line to your audience’s inbox with something worth reading—like tips, updates, behind-the-scenes gems, or industry insights.
Think of it as your business’s VIP club, minus the velvet ropes and overpriced drinks.
When a Newsletter Makes Sense for Your Business
Here’s when saying “yes” to a newsletter isn’t just a smart move—it’s a boss move:
- You’ve got valuable stuff to share—tips, offers, updates, memes. Whatever fits your brand.
- You want to stay top of mind with your customers (without paying Zuckerberg every time).
- You’re building a brand, not just selling a product.
- You want to drive traffic to your blog, shop, YouTube, etc.
- You have content pillars and a strategy (or at least a vibe).
Example Time:
- A wellness coach sharing weekly mindset tips.
- A fashion brand revealing sneak peeks of new collections.
- A nonprofit giving monthly impact updates.
- A digital creator dropping free resources and tutorials.
If you nodded to any of those, you’re probably newsletter material.
When You Might Not Need One (Yet)
Yes, it’s okay to skip the newsletter—especially if:
- You’re still figuring out your audience and what they care about.
- You don’t have time to be consistent (or plan to ghost your list like a bad Tinder date).
- You don’t create content regularly.
- Your biz model is 100% referral-based or hyper-local.
- You’re juggling 47 other things and this feels like number 48.
Pro tip: If the idea of writing a monthly email makes you break out in hives, maybe start with quarterly updates. Or table it for now.
The Pros and Cons of Having a Newsletter
Pros of Having a Newsletter:
- Builds trust and loyalty faster than a TikTok dance challenge.
- Keeps you connected to your audience without relying on social media algorithms.
- Drives traffic, engagement, and sometimes even sales (cha-ching!).
- You own your list. No algorithm can take it away from you.
Cons of Having a Newsletter:
- You need a strategy (not just a “Hey guys” email every month).
- It takes time and consistency.
- Can feel like shouting into the void if your content isn’t hitting.
The Most Cost-Effective Email Platforms for Small Business Owners
Spoiler alert: You don’t have to sell a kidney to start a newsletter.
Top Pick: MailerLite
- Free up to 1,000 subscribers
- Drag-and-drop email builder (even your tech-phobic uncle could use it)
- Automation that doesn’t require a computer science degree
- Clean analytics so you know what’s working (and what’s flopping)
Honorable Mentions:
- ConvertKit – Great for creators and coaches
- Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) – Perfect for ecommerce
- Mailchimp – Still hanging in there, but their free plan’s kind of stingy now
Final Checklist: Is an Email Newsletter Right for You?
Do you have something valuable or interesting to say regularly?
Do you want a more direct way to connect with your audience?
Are you ready to show up consistently (even once a month)?
Do you have a content strategy—or are you willing to make one?
Would you rather own your audience than rent it from social media?
If you’re checking more boxes than not—ding ding, you’re ready.
Wrapping It Up
Email newsletters aren’t dead. They’re just often done badly. But done well? They can turn browsers into buyers, fans into superfans, and your inbox into a thriving little community.
Don’t stress if you’re not ready yet. But if you are—start smart, start simple, and stay consistent.
And hey, when you’re ready to actually create that first newsletter, we’ve got you covered in the next blog post.
P.S. If you want a second opinion on whether your business is newsletter-ready, book a free consult with us. We’ll tell it to you straight (but kindly).
