Not long ago, I was working a soul-sucking night shift, doing my best to stay awake while chatting with some of the officers on duty. We were laughing, swapping stories, and I started sharing how I handled a tricky situation earlier that week. Mid-sentence, one of the officers asked me to pause.

“I’m taking notes,” she said.

I laughed, thinking she was kidding — but she wasn’t. She told me she, and others, often took notes when we talked. They didn’t just see me as a coworker — they saw me as someone handing out life lessons, one late-night conversation at a time.

That moment changed everything for me.

Because for years, I believed I didn’t have anything worth sharing. Even back when I ran a digital magazine and daily newsletter in 2013, I built an email list without truly owning my voice. I didn’t know how to cultivate it — or if I even had the right to.

But now? I know better.

And if you’re over 50 and wondering whether it’s “too late” to start building an email list, I’m here to tell you: it’s not.

Why Email List Building Still Matters (Especially Now)

If you’re just getting started or restarting after a long break, email list building for beginners can feel overwhelming. But here’s the truth:

  • Social media is rented land. Your email list? That’s yours.

  • Your experiences are valuable. You’ve lived, learned, led, and loved. There’s gold in that.

  • People are hungry for connection and wisdom. Your voice, your stories — they matter.

An email list allows you to gather your people — your tribe — in one place where you can serve, share, and support them on your terms.

How to Start Your Email List Fast (and Without Tech Headaches)

If you’re ready to begin (or begin again), here’s a beginner-friendly way to get going:

1. Pick an Email Platform You’ll Actually Use

Choose a platform that feels simple and intuitive. Here’s the one I use → MailerLite. Many offer free plans to get started.

2. Create a Freebie or Welcome Gift

Think of something small but helpful: a checklist, a mini guide, or even a short audio note.

3. Write Your First 5 Emails

These can be simple:

  • Your welcome story

  • Why you created your list

  • A quick tip or life lesson

  • A resource or tool you love

  • A gentle check-in or question for your reader

Need help with this? That’s exactly what my freebie walks you through.

4. Share It with Confidence (Even If You’re Still Finding Your Voice)

Start with the people who already trust you — friends, family, coworkers, social media. You’re not selling. You’re inviting.

5. Show Up Consistently — Imperfectly Is Fine

You don’t need a full content calendar. Just commit to emailing once a week or twice a month. Make it real. Make it you.

Your Voice Is Needed — Right Now

You don’t need 10,000 subscribers to make an impact. You just need the courage to start.

Whether you’ve been holding back because you’re unsure what to say, or you thought your time had passed — I promise, it hasn’t. You’re right on time.

✨ Ready to gather your tribe?

💌 Start your email list here — MailerLite