Why Every ECE Entrepreneur Needs an Email List

You don't own your social media followers. If Instagram crashes, an algorithm changes, or a platform disappears, how will you stay connected with your audience? In this episode of ECE to CEO, Carla Ward shares why building an email list should be one of your first priorities when starting an early childhood education business. An email list isn't about collecting hundreds or thousands of addresses. It's about building relationships, establishing trust, and connecting with people who genuinely want to learn from you. Carla shares how she grew her email list from her mom and sister to approximately 4,000 subscribers, why giving away valuable content is an investment in your business, and why ECE entrepreneurs need to get comfortable selling their expertise. In this episode: Why relying entirely on social media is risky for your business How to give people a reason to join your email list Using free resources, podcasts, blogs, and newsletters to attract subscribers Why consistency matters more than how often you send emails Building relationships and trust before making a sale Why you shouldn't wait until you have hundreds of subscribers Getting comfortable promoting your paid services and products Why unsubscribes aren't something to take personally Choosing an email marketing platform and understanding subscriber consent Resources mentioned: Kit (formerly ConvertKit) – The email marketing platform Carla uses to manage subscribers, create landing pages, and schedule emails. Mailchimp – Another email marketing platform to explore. Canada's Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) – Information about consent, unsubscribe requirements, and email marketing in Canada. Your ECE to CEO challenge: If you haven't started an email list, start exploring your options this week. Think about who you want to reach, what you can offer them, and how you'll continue building that relationship. And if you already have a list but haven't emailed your subscribers in a while, maybe it's time to reconnect. Connect with Carla: Website: https://www.carlatheece.com Instagram: @carlatheece Enjoyed this episode? Follow ECE to CEO on your favourite podcast platform and share it with an ECE who's building a business.