August 11, 2023 · Oskar Glauser
Looking for free email marketing
Starting with email marketing often means choosing between a limited free plan or paying for a subscription you might not be ready for. At Minutemailer, we wanted to offer a different path. Instead of locking features behind paywalls, we built a credit-based system that lets you earn free sending credits and grow at your own pace.
Here is how you can get started with email marketing without spending a cent.
How Minutemailer’s credit system works
Unlike most email marketing platforms that charge monthly fees based on your number of contacts, Minutemailer uses a simple credit system. One credit equals one email sent to one contact. You start with free credits when you sign up, and you can earn more through the methods described below.
This means you can have unlimited contacts on your list and only spend credits when you actually send. No monthly fees ticking away while you are building your list or planning your first campaign.
Method 1: The referral program
The easiest way to earn free credits is through our referral program. Here is how it works:
- Get your unique referral link. You will find it in your Minutemailer account dashboard.
- Share it with friends, colleagues, or other business owners. Anyone who might benefit from a simple email marketing tool is a good candidate.
- Earn credits when they sign up. When someone creates an account using your referral link, you both receive free credits.
It is a straightforward exchange. You help someone discover a useful tool, and you both benefit. The more people you refer, the more credits you earn. There is no cap on how many referrals you can make.
This works especially well if you are part of a business community, a networking group, or an online forum where other small business owners are looking for affordable marketing tools. Share your link in a conversation where it is genuinely helpful, and the credits will follow.
Method 2: Team collaboration
The second way to earn free credits is by inviting colleagues to collaborate on your Minutemailer account. When you invite team members to join your workspace, you receive bonus credits.
This is useful for more than just earning credits. Team collaboration lets you:
- Share the workload. Multiple people can work on campaigns, manage contacts, and review analytics.
- Get a second pair of eyes. Having a colleague review your email before it goes out can catch mistakes and improve quality.
- Keep everything in one place. Instead of forwarding drafts back and forth over email, your team works directly in the platform.
When you invite a colleague and they accept, you earn credits. It is that simple. And the collaboration benefits your email marketing efforts beyond just the free sends.
Why credits beat subscriptions for small businesses
The credit-based model is particularly well-suited for small businesses and startups. Here is why:
- No wasted spend. With a monthly subscription, you pay whether you send emails or not. With credits, you only pay when you use them.
- Flexible timing. Send a big campaign one month and nothing the next. Your credits are there when you need them.
- Predictable costs. You always know exactly how much a campaign will cost before you send it.
- Low barrier to entry. Start for free and scale up gradually as your email marketing gains traction.
For a broader look at affordable email marketing options, check out our article on email marketing on a budget.
Tips for making the most of your free credits
Once you have earned some credits, here are a few tips to use them effectively:
Keep your list clean
Remove contacts who have not engaged with your emails in a while. Sending to inactive subscribers wastes credits and can hurt your deliverability. A smaller, engaged list will give you better results.
Write compelling subject lines
Your subject line determines whether someone opens your email. Spend time crafting it. Test different approaches and see what resonates with your audience.
Focus on value
Every email you send should offer something useful to the reader, whether that is a helpful tip, an exclusive offer, or an important update. When your emails consistently provide value, your subscribers stay engaged and your open rates stay high.
If you are just getting started, our guide on how to start a newsletter covers everything you need to know about building your first campaign.
Get started today
Free email marketing is not a myth, and it does not require jumping through hoops. With Minutemailer’s referral program and team collaboration features, you can earn the credits you need to reach your audience without opening your wallet.
Create your free Minutemailer account, grab your referral link, and start sending.