You can’t control social media platforms, but you CAN control your email list. That’s true, Reader, and that’s where your power lies.

Take the recent TikTok ban, for example. Many US creators might have lost their way to connect with fans overnight if it had continued.

But an email list isn’t exactly the same as a social platform, right? So, what’s the key takeaway here?

The control and loyalty.

Think of your email list as your most loyal fans, these are people who actually want to hear what you have to say.

Not only do you have a direct line to friends who care about your message, but you completely own and control this list, making it an invaluable asset for your business.

Okay, but do people still read emails?

You’re reading this, right? So yes, people still read emails!

And in numbers:

Nearly 4.5 billion people use email worldwide in 2025, with projections to reach over 4.8 billion by 2027.

88% of users check their email multiple times a day, with 39% checking it 3–5 times daily.

More than that, for every $1 spent on email marketing, the average return is $36. That’s what we call ROI (return on investment), and it’s quite good compared to other channels.

So is that the only reason why building an email list matters?

There are 3 main reasons:

📌 Talk Directly to Your Fans: Email lets you connect with your audience, without social media getting in the way of who sees your messages.

📌 See What Works: You can easily tell how many people open your emails and click your links, helping you understand what your readers love most.

📌 You’re in Charge: Unlike social media where your posts might get lost, with email you decide exactly when to reach out to your readers and what to say.

The best way to build an email list? Start a newsletter.

Pick a topic you know well, create a valuable freebie for subscribers, set up an email provider, and craft a welcome series.

Then invite your social media/blog/website followers by making signup easy: Add clear CTAs (a bio link), share newsletter previews, and run subscriber-only campaigns.

Show them why your email list is worth joining.

I know this takes more steps, so TalkBitz already has a simplified guide for you.

​Check it out here!

Cheers,

Minosh

PS: Even if you don’t have a big social media following, you can still start a newsletter and open up some decent opportunities to earn a living online.