If you’ve spent the last year (or three) posting your heart out on Instagram but still haven’t sent a single email… you’re not alone. And no, it’s not too late.

You don’t need to be an “email marketing expert” to start. You don’t even need a fancy freebie. You just need a list — even a tiny one — and a plan to show up. (Psst: we’ve got you covered on both.)

Why Instagram Burnout is Real (and What Email Can Do Instead)

Let’s be honest: Instagram is great… until it isn’t.

👉 You post consistently, but the algorithm buries your content
👉 You engage in DMs, but the sales aren’t steady
👉 You’re exhausted from being “on” all the time, with no off-ramp

That’s where email comes in. Unlike social, your emails actually land in someone’s inbox — without fighting an algorithm, a trending sound, or a 5-second scroll.

Here’s a fun little case study about the results you get with social posts and emails…

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A post shared by Your Social Team | Manu Muraro (@yoursocialteam)

Wait, But Doesn’t Email Feel… Overwhelming?

Only if you’re trying to do it like a full-time copywriter with a brand team.

But if you’re running a small business — especially solo or with a tiny team — your emails don’t need to be perfect. They need to be:

🔥 Consistent
🔥 Valuable (to your ideal people, not everyone)
🔥 Actually sent

And you can do this in less than ONE HOUR per week, if you have the right templates.

And here’s the kicker: starting now is smarter than waiting until you “have time.” Because email grows with you. The longer you wait, the more connections and conversions (AKA revenue!) you’re leaving on the table.

You Don’t Have to Choose: Social + Email is the Best Way to Grow a Small Business

We’re not here to say social is bad, we are acually super pro-social media for business and sell the best social templates. It’s actually a great place to find your people.

But Instagram is the party.
Email is the afterparty where people actually buy more and faster.

Because the people who choose to join your email list are not just the people who will wait bump into you (or not) at the next party. They are the ones who make sure to get your number so they will see you again for sure.

Use Instagram to attract, and email to connect + convert. That combo is the most powerful move you can make as a service provider, content creator, or small business owner in 2025.

Starting Your List Now Is Easier Than You Think

You don’t need a 12-part funnel or a freebie that takes 40 hours to create. Here’s how to get started this week:

👉 DM 5 people who comment on your posts and invite them to join your list
👉 Post a value tip and say “I’m sharing the deeper version of this in my email today — want in?”
👉 Add a simple link in your bio to join your list and talk about it for 3 days in a row

If you want 13 creative ways that don’t require a huge audience (or an ad budget), grab our free guide: How to Get Your Next 100 Email Subscribers. You’ll walk away with real strategies you can use this week.

What If I Only Have, Like, 17 Subscribers?

Perfect. That’s 17 people who said “yes” to hearing from you. Start there.

Your list will grow when you show up with intention. What doesn’t grow? A list you never email.

We’ve seen business owners sell offers, book consults, and grow memberships with lists under 100 — because it’s not about the size. It’s about showing up regularly and on-brand.

What to Send When You’re Just Starting

No, you don’t need a six-month content calendar. Try one of these low-pressure email ideas:

🔥 A “why I’m starting this list now” note — people love origin stories
🔥 A client win or behind-the-scenes lesson you haven’t shared publicly
🔥 A tip or tool your audience has asked about in the DMs
🔥 A link roundup of your latest posts or resources

Still stuck? That’s exactly why we created Your Inbox Team: a weekly email template + matching Canva graphics that take 15 minutes or less to send. No stress, just consistency.

TL;DR: Is It Too Late to Start Email Marketing?

Nope.
It’s the perfect time to start — especially if you’re already creating content for Instagram!
🔥 Email lets you nurture and convert way more effectively than a story or a post
💌 Your list can start with just a handful of people and still move your business forward