Should You DIY or Outsource Your Emails?
If email marketing was a workout, it’d be the cardio of your business routine. You know you’ve gotta do it, but you kind of dread it every time (unless, of course, you’re a total email nerd like me).
You know you need it, but it doesn’t exactly feel like the most exciting thing on the list (unless, of course, you’re a total email nerd like me).
Which means you have 2 options: DIY your emails or hand that job off to someone else. And hey, both options can be solid, depending on where you’re at. You’re not “failing” if you DIY, and outsourcing doesn’t mean you’re “lazy” — it’s all about what makes sense for you right now.
What Are Your Business Goals?
Before diving into the decision, let’s start with where you’re at in your business. Are you in full-on growth mode, or are you just getting your feet wet?
If you’re in the early stages and still building out your foundations, DIYing your emails might be the most practical choice. You might just need something good enough to get started, and that’s totally fine!
But if you’re shifting into growth mode — trying to scale, increase conversions, or nurture a growing email list — outsourcing can help you create a solid strategy and save yourself some serious time.
Think about what your goals are right now. If you’re focused on building deeper relationships with your audience or driving more sales, outsourcing might be the shortcut that lets you cut through the overwhelm and start seeing results faster.
It’s all about matching your email strategy to what’s happening in your business right now — whether that’s building initial connections or focusing on getting your readers to take aligned action.
What Budget Are You Working With?
Alright, now let’s talk money. If you’re running a lean business and every penny counts, DIY might be your best bet for now. You don’t need to spend big to get started, and sometimes “good enough” is exactly what you need to build that initial foundation.
But if you’ve got some wiggle room in the budget, outsourcing can be an incredibly smart investment. Instead of pouring hours into learning the ropes, you can let a specialist do the heavy lifting while you focus on the parts of your business you’re actually excited about (like launching that next offer you can’t stop telling everyone about 😉 ).
Plus, getting your email strategy handled by a pro can lead to quicker wins — no trial and error required. If there’s room to bring in some help, it might be time to give outsourcing a shot.
When It Makes Sense to DIY
Alright, let’s talk DIY. If any of these sound like you, rolling up your sleeves and handing your email marketing solo might be the way to go (for now):
- You’ve Got the Time to Learn the Ropes
Email marketing isn’t something you can learn overnight — it takes time to figure out the platforms, strategies, and best practices.
If you’ve got the time to dedicate to learning (and you’re okay with the fact that you might need to spend a few evenings watching YouTube tutorials), DIYing could be a good fit. - You’re Ready to Put That Knowledge to Use
It’s one thing to absorb all the knowledge, but it’s another to actually put it into action. If you’re the kind of person who gets stuff done and implement what you’ve learned asap, DIY could work for you. - You Need Something Functional for Now
Sometimes “good enough” is exactly what you need, especially in the early stages of your business. If your email marketing strategy doesn’t need to be flawless right out of the gate, and you just need something to keep things running for now, DIYing might be the perfect short-term solution.
You can always refine things later when you have more resources to bring in expert eyes to help you strategize what you’ve already built. Sometimes, momentum > strategy. Getting started with SOMETHING is always better than having NOTHING. - You’re Actually Into It
If writing, designing, and creating email campaigns sound like fun (rather than a dreaded chore), DIY might be a creative outlet that you’ll love.
Some business owners find email marketing to be an enjoyable part of connecting with their audience — if that’s you, DIY can bring both satisfaction and results. - You Like Experimenting and Adjusting
Not everything will work the first time, and that’s okay! If you’re the type of person who likes testing things out, analyzing what works, and then making adjustments, DIY gives you the flexibility to experiment without feeling like you have to follow someone else’s rules.
You’ll be able to create hypotheses on how your readers will react, test different approaches, and with time, find what works best with your community. - You’re Not Quite Ready to Outsource
If outsourcing feels like a stretch right now (whether it’s because of budget, or simply not feeling ready to hand things off), DIYing can be a solid temporary solution.
You’re still getting your email marketing handled, but on your own terms, until you’re ready to bring in professional help.
When It Makes Sense To Outsource
If any of these sound more like your current situation, it could be the better move to call in the experts (like me!):
- You’re Not Seeing the Impact You Want
If your emails are falling flat (low open rates, no clicks, or it just feels like you’re shouting into a void) outsourcing can bring a fresh perspective.
Sometimes, you’re too close to the content to see what’s actually working, and what’s not working. An outside, fresh set of eyes can help identify the gaps and offer targeted solutions to get your readers paying attention again. - You’re Juggling Too Much to Learn Email Marketing
If your calendar looks like a game of Tetris and the thought of learning email marketing makes you want to crawl under your desk, outsourcing might be your saving grace.
Instead of spending time trying to master a new skill, and then put it into action, letting someone else handle it all so you can focus on what you actually want to do can feel like a huge sigh of relief. - You Don’t Have Time for Trial and Error
Email marketing has a learning curve, there’s no doubt about it. If you’d rather skip the guesswork and avoid the whole “throwing spaghetti at the wall” approach, outsourcing can give you a clear, proven strategy from the start.
No need for endless testing and tweaking — you’ll get a plan that works for your business right out of the gate so you can start seeing the results you want, without having to reinvent the wheel. - You Want Emails That Do More Than “Look Nice”
If you’re done with just sending out basic emails and want something more strategic — emails that feel personal, connect with your audience, and actually prompt action — outsourcing is your go-to.
The way your emails look is, arguably, the least important part. It’s about writing messages that resonate and deliver real value to your readers. - You Need to Free Up Time for Big-Picture Stuff
As your business grows, your to-do list only gets longer. If email marketing is one of those things you keep putting off because you’re already stretched thin, outsourcing can free up your time so you can focus on the bigger moves you need to make. - You’re In It for the Long Haul
Building long-term relationships with your audience isn’t a quick-fix kind of thing. If you’re looking to nurture those connections over time, outsourcing can help you craft a consistent strategy that keeps your emails relevant and engaging — week after week, month after month.
So, Should You DIY or Outsource?
Your emails shouldn’t feel like just another task that’s draining your time without benefiting your overall business goals. If you’re noticing that your emails are getting sent out, but it feels like the emails are just collecting digital dust in your reader’s inbox, it’s a sign that something’s missing.
Maybe you’ve got a list but don’t know how to keep your subscribers interested, or your emails are going out but aren’t leading to sales or meaningful conversations.
If it feels like you’re putting in the effort but not seeing the reward, it’s time to consider how you can take that pressure off your shoulders and put your emails to work strategically.
An Email Marketing Audit can show you exactly what’s working, what’s not, and give you actionable insights to help you hit your business goals faster — whether that’s stronger open rates, better responses, or converting more leads into actual customers.
It’s not about “fixing” your emails, but about giving you a crystal-clear plan that turns email marketing into an asset for your business (instead of something that drains your time).
You’ve already got enough going on, and your emails should be a tool that helps lighten the load. If that sounds like what you need, let’s get started. I’m here to help you turn your email strategy into something that works seamlessly for your business (consider this me calling dibs on helping you, whenever you’re ready).
Thanks so much for reading — and speaking of: let’s talk about how I can help you write emails that your community actually reads.
I’m Aireanna, and I’m here to help you turn subscribers into loyal customers. If you’re vibing with what I’m sharing, here’s how we can keep in touch:
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Have a question or just want to chat? Drop me a DM on IG @aireannaelanah or email me at hello@aireannaelanah.com. I’d love to connect!
