How to Make A Quick Start Guide & Grow Your Email List
/Growing your email list is one of the most valuable things you can do as a blogger. Social media algorithms change constantly, platforms come and go, but your email list is an audience you own. It allows you to drive traffic on demand, build trust over time, and monetize your content in a sustainable way.
While regular newsletters and promotional emails are important, one of the fastest and most effective ways to grow your email list is by implementing a quick start guide email series.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what a quick start guide is, why it works so well, and how to create one step by step, even if you already have content published on your blog!
Why Growing Your Email List Matters
If you’re blogging without actively growing your email list, you’re leaving traffic, income, and long-term stability on the table.
A strong email list allows you to:
Drive consistent traffic to your blog
Repurpose and reshare existing content
Build trust and loyalty with your audience
Communicate directly with readers (no algorithm required)
Promote products, affiliates, services, and launches strategically
Email marketing isn’t just about sending newsletters. It’s about creating intentional systems that welcome new readers and guide them deeper into your content, and that’s where quick start guides shine.
What Is a Quick Start Guide Email Series?
A quick start guide is a short, automated email sequence, usually 3 to 5 emails, designed to introduce new subscribers to your best content around a specific topic.
Instead of overwhelming readers with everything you’ve ever written, a quick start guide delivers curated, high-value content directly to their inbox over several days.
Once the series ends, subscribers are automatically moved into your regular email list. By that point, they’re already familiar with your content, your voice, and the value you provide, making them far more likely to open future emails.
In many cases, quick start guides outperform free ebooks or PDFs because:
They require less upfront work
They encourage ongoing engagement
They drive traffic back to your site
They build trust before asking for a sale
How Quick Start Guides Help Grow Your Email List Faster
Quick start guides work because they solve a very specific problem for your reader.
Instead of saying, “Sign up for my newsletter,” you’re saying:
“Sign up, and I’ll walk you through exactly how to do X—step by step.”
That clarity increases opt-in rates and improves email engagement right from the start.
How to Create a Quick Start Guide Email Series
Creating a quick start guide doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, if you already have blog content published, you can put one together in just a few hours.
Step 1: Choose a Focused Topic
Your quick start guide should address:
A common pain point
A beginner-friendly process
A clear outcome your reader wants
Avoid topics that are too broad. Specific sells better.
Good examples:
“5 Days of Easy Fall Dinners”
“Beginner’s Guide to Gluten-Free Baking”
“How to Build a Healthy Salad That Actually Tastes Good”
Step 2: Select or Create Supporting Content
You can:
Link to existing blog posts
Write new content if needed
Mix both approaches
Each email should focus on one core idea and link readers to a single, relevant piece of content. I recommend using some of your most popular or highest-paying posts.
Step 3: Write the Emails
Keep your emails short and skimmable. Most readers won’t read long paragraphs, especially on mobile.
Each email should include:
A clear introduction
Let readers know what the series is and where they are in it.The pain point
Call out the problem you’re helping them solve.Relatability and authority
Briefly position yourself as someone who understands the issue and has solved it.The solution
Explain how the linked content helps.A strong link or CTA
Make it obvious where they should click.A sign-off with a teaser
Tell them what’s coming next.
Note: This is just an example. Adjust the format to suit your tone, content, and audience!
Example: Quick Start Guide Email
Subject: Day 1: The biggest mistake people make with meal planning
Hi {{First Name}},
Welcome to my 5-Day Meal Planning Quick Start Guide! Over the next few days, I’ll be walking you through simple strategies to make weeknight dinners easier and less stressful.
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make with meal planning is trying to plan everything at once. It leads to burnout fast.
Instead, start with this one simple framework that keeps meals flexible and realistic.
👉 Read this first: [Link to blog post]
Tomorrow, we’ll talk about how to grocery shop faster without buying food you won’t use.
P.S. Tomorrow’s email includes my go-to grocery list strategy.
Step 4: Set Up the Automation in Your Email Platform
Inside your email service provider:
Create a sequence or automation
Set each email to send 1 day apart
Add a rule to move subscribers to your main list once the series ends
You don’t need anything fancy, just a clean, reliable flow.
Step 5: Promote Your Quick Start Guide
Once your series is live, make it visible.
Effective placements include:
Pop-ups
Inline opt-ins within relevant posts
Dedicated landing pages
Homepage feature sections
Content upgrades on high-traffic posts
Rotating quick start guides seasonally or by topic helps keep your site fresh and relevant year-round.
How Long Does It Take to Create a Quick Start Guide?
Using existing content: 1-2 hours
Writing new content: 3-5 hours
Automation setup: 30 minutes
This is one of the highest-ROI email strategies you can implement with minimal ongoing effort!
Common Quick Start Guide Mistakes to Avoid
Writing emails that are too long
Covering too many topics at once
Forgetting to link clearly to content
Not transitioning subscribers into regular emails
Choosing a topic that doesn’t match reader intent
Keep it simple, focused, and reader-first.
Ideas for a Quick Start Guide to Grow Your Email List
Not sure where to begin? Try out some of the ideas below!
Your Ultimate Thanksgiving Menu
5 Days of Christmas Cookies
How to Build a Charcuterie Board
Your Complete Cocktail Guide
5 Fall Soup Recipes
5 Pumpkin Recipes for Fall
Gluten-Free Eating for Beginners
5-Day Keto Meal Plan
5 Ways to Save on Groceries
My Complete Christmas Menu
5 Brunch Ideas for the Holidays
Your Complete Guide to Seasonal Eating
The BEST Comfort Food Recipes
How to Build a Healthy Salad That Isn’t Bland or Boring
5 Healthy Breakfast Ideas for the Week
Start Growing Your Email List with a Quick Start Guide
A well-built quick start guide helps you grow your email list, drive traffic to your blog, and build trust with new readers.
If you want help planning, writing, or implementing a quick start guide that actually converts, check out my email writing services, or reach out to learn how we can work together to grow your email list strategically.