Email marketing remains the highest ROI digital marketing channel in 2026, returning an average of $42 for every dollar spent. Unlike social media where algorithms control your reach, your email list is an asset you own and can monetize indefinitely.
Best Email Marketing Platforms
Mailchimp — Best for Beginners
Mailchimp’s free plan supports up to 500 contacts and 1,000 emails per month, making it perfect for starting your email marketing journey. The drag-and-drop editor creates professional emails without coding knowledge. Paid plans starting at $13/month unlock automation workflows, A/B testing, and advanced analytics.
ConvertKit — Best for Creators
Built specifically for bloggers, podcasters, and online creators, ConvertKit excels at subscriber segmentation and automated email sequences. Their visual automation builder makes it easy to create complex nurture campaigns. The free plan supports 1,000 subscribers. Paid plans start at $9/month.
Beehiiv — Best for Newsletter Monetization
Beehiiv has quickly become the platform of choice for newsletter creators focused on monetization. Built-in ad network, paid subscriptions, and referral programs are included in all plans. The free tier supports up to 2,500 subscribers with unlimited sends.
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) — Best Value
Brevo offers the most generous free plan with unlimited contacts and up to 300 emails per day. Their all-in-one platform includes email, SMS, WhatsApp, and live chat. Paid plans start at $25/month for 20,000 emails. The transactional email API is particularly popular with developers.
Email Marketing Best Practices
Your subject line determines whether your email gets opened. Keep it under 50 characters, create curiosity or urgency, and personalize when possible. Average open rates across industries sit at 21.5%, but top performers achieve 35%+ with compelling subject lines.
Segmentation dramatically improves results. Sending targeted emails based on subscriber behavior, preferences, or demographics generates 58% more revenue than broadcast emails. Start with basic segments like new subscribers, active readers, and inactive contacts.
Automation is where email marketing scales. Set up a welcome sequence for new subscribers, abandoned cart emails for e-commerce, and re-engagement campaigns for inactive subscribers. These automated flows generate revenue 24/7 without manual effort.