Email Marketing Specialist
Some emails go straight to trash. Others you open, read and even click. 📩
What's the difference? Usually, a person who knows what they're doing.
An email marketing specialist plans and writes emails that people actually want to open, and don't unsubscribe from. Let's look closer.
What is this job, really?
The simple version: an email marketing specialist plans, writes and sends emails that help a business sell and stay in touch with customers.
Think of email like a letter to a friend who once said "keep me posted." If you write only "BUY NOW!!!" every day, your friend will block you. If you send useful, interesting letters, they'll look forward to them, and sometimes buy.
What does an email marketing specialist actually do?
Plans email campaigns: sales, news, holiday offers.
Writes emails and subject lines.
Sets up automatic emails: a welcome email when someone subscribes, a reminder when someone forgets something in the cart.
Splits the list into groups (new customers, loyal customers...) so people get emails that fit them.
Tests and improves: which subject line got more opens?
Works in email tools like Mailchimp, Klaviyo or similar.
Who needs one, and why?
Online shops, a lot. Email often brings a big share of their sales.
Coaches, course creators and newsletters.
Software companies.
Freelance or in a company?
Both. Many work freelance with online shops and creators. Others are part of marketing teams.
How much talking is involved?
Low. Mostly written work and some calls with clients.
How hard is it to learn? How long does it take?
In 1 to 6 months you can learn email tools, writing basics, automations and simple analytics. You can practice by starting your own small newsletter.
You'll probably enjoy it if you:
Like writing and numbers.
Enjoy testing ideas and seeing results.
Are organized and like planning.
How is AI changing this job?
AI impact: AI-assisted 🤖
AI drafts emails and subject lines quickly. But someone still has to decide what to send, to whom and when, set up the systems, test, and make sure emails sound like the brand. Strategy and testing are yours.
Honest downsides
Results are measured. Low open rates are hard to hide.
Technical bits (automations, deliverability) can be tricky.
Lots of similar emails around holidays.
Spam rules and privacy laws need attention.
Try it before you choose it
Here's a secret nobody tells you: you don't have to choose a profession for the rest of your life. You're picking something to try. Like a new dish at a restaurant. If you hate it, you order something else next time. No drama.
And honestly? You can't know if you'll like a job until you try it. Reading about it is like reading about swimming. Useful, but you stay dry.
So here's the tiny, safe step:
Take one short beginner course. Watch a few lessons in the evening, after work. Try a small practice task. Then ask yourself one simple question: "Do I want to do more of this?"
Yes? Great. Now it makes sense to look for a deeper, more serious course.
No? Also great. You just saved yourself months, and you can try the next job on your list.
Either way, you keep your current job while you test the waters. No quitting, no big risks, no throwing your stapler out of the window.