Complete beginners guide for getting started with email marketing

Email marketing remains one of the most effective digital marketing tools available in 2025—and it’s not just for big brands or seasoned marketers. Whether you’re running a small business, launching a side hustle, or promoting a local service, email marketing is a brilliant way to reach and engage your audience directly.

This beginner-friendly guide is tailored specifically for UK businesses and individuals looking to get started quickly, affordably, and legally with email marketing.

Why Email Marketing Still Works in 2025

Outstanding ROI: Email marketing delivers an average return of £31 for every £1 spent.
You own your audience: Social media algorithms come and go, but your email list is yours.
Direct communication: Emails land right in someone’s inbox—a personal space they check daily.

Step 1: Choose the Right Email Marketing Software (UK Friendly)

To get started, you’ll need an email marketing platform that’s easy to use, GDPR-compliant, and suited for UK-based businesses.

Recommended: Email Blaster UK

Email Blaster is a UK-based email marketing platform offering:

Easy-to-use drag-and-drop email builder
Ready-made email templates
Advanced automation features
UK-based support
Full GDPR compliance
Secure UK data hosting

If you’re looking for a platform built in the UK, for UK businesses, Email Blaster is a fantastic choice.

Step 2: Build Your Email List (The Right Way)

Building your list is one of the most important—and often overlooked—steps. It’s illegal under UK GDPR to email people without their consent.

Ways to grow your list legally:

Add a signup form to your website or blog
Offer a lead magnet (like a free guide, discount, or checklist)
Promote your signup form on social media
Include an opt-in box at checkout (for e-commerce)

Tip: Always use double opt-in to confirm subscriber intent and improve deliverability.

Step 3: Understand the Types of Marketing Emails

Here’s a breakdown of the most common types of emails you’ll send:

Welcome emails – The first impression: introduce yourself and set expectations.
Newsletters – Share tips, updates, and curated content on a regular basis.
Promotions – Announce offers, sales, or new products/services.
Automated sequences – Triggered emails based on actions like signing up or making a purchase.

Pro Tip: Always include an unsubscribe link—it’s a legal requirement in the UK.

Step 4: Write Engaging Emails

Your emails should be easy to read, valuable to the reader, and reflect your brand personality.

Checklist for every email:

Compelling subject line (under 50 characters)
Personalised greeting (e.g., “Hi Sarah”)
Concise, helpful content
Clear call-to-action (CTA) – What should the reader do next?
Mobile-friendly design – Over half of UK emails are opened on phones

Want more clicks? Segment your list and tailor your content to different groups of people.

Step 5: Automate and Segment

Even if you’re just getting started, email automation can save time and keep your audience engaged.

Start with simple automations:

Welcome email series (automatically sent after someone subscribes)
Birthday emails
Post-purchase follow-ups

Segment your audience by:

Location (UK vs international)
Purchase history
Engagement level (opens, clicks)
Interests or preferences

Tools like Email Blaster UK make segmentation and automation very easy to set up.

Step 6: Track Your Results and Improve

Don’t just send and hope for the best. Monitor key performance metrics such as:

Open rate – % of people who opened the email
Click-through rate (CTR) – % who clicked a link
Unsubscribes – Are people opting out?
Bounce rate – Emails that couldn’t be delivered

Experiment with:

Subject lines
Send times
Layout and imagery
CTA wording

Use A/B testing features (available in Email Blaster and most platforms) to test what works best for your audience.

Legal Considerations for UK Email Marketers

As a UK-based sender, you must follow GDPR and PECR (Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations). That means:

Only email people who’ve opted in
Include your company’s contact info and an unsubscribe link in every email
Keep subscriber data secure and accessible

Platforms like Email Blaster UK handle much of this for you, but it’s still your responsibility to stay compliant.

Final Thoughts

Getting started with email marketing in 2025 doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated.

Here’s your quick recap:

Pick a UK-compliant platform like Email Blaster UK
Build your list ethically and legally
Send useful, engaging content
Automate where you can
Keep learning and improving

With the right approach, email marketing can become one of your most reliable, cost-effective marketing channels—whether you’re just starting out or growing an established business.

Ready to Begin?

Start your email marketing journey today with Email Blaster UK – a smart, GDPR-friendly tool designed with UK businesses in mind.