love, email actually

What if one simple tweak to your email strategy could instantly increase your average order value? In this episode, I break down a high-converting tactic: pairing your promotional emails with perfectly timed on-site pop-ups. Learn how to use bundles, discounts and popups to encourage larger purchases, without feeling pushy or salesy. Whether you're an Etsy store owner, small business owner, coach or consultant, you can get more value from every email campaign with this simple strategy.

In this episode of Love Email Actually, I'll share a quick but powerful email marketing exercise: testing your “From” address to improve open rates. Should you send emails from your brand name, or add a personal touch with a team member’s name? You’ll learn how to A/B test your from lines properly, how long to run your tests, and why this tiny change can lead to big improvements in engagement. Perfect for small business owners, creators, and anyone looking to build stronger, more personal email connections.

Choosing an email platform can be confusing -- especially with so many providers claiming the best deliverability, automation, and pricing. In this episode, you’ll learn how to confidently compare top email marketing platforms like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, HubSpot, and Klaviyo using a 7-section checklist that covers everything from ease of use and deliverability to pricing, compliance, and integrations. Whether you’re just starting out or ready to upgrade your ESP, this episode walks you through exactly what to ask before signing a contract. Perfect for small business owners, Etsy or Shopify shop owners, bloggers, and entrepreneurs who want to make the most of their email marketing tools.

Setting up an email channel for your small business can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, I share a step-by-step checklist that makes it clear which tasks you can confidently tackle yourself and which are smarter to outsource. From choosing the right ESP and writing a welcome sequence to buying a domain, setting up automations, designing templates, and tracking analytics, you’ll learn exactly what falls under the DIY column and where it’s worth bringing in expert help, without breaking your budget.

In this Exercise of the Week from Love, Email Actually, I will walk you through a practical technique for getting past writer’s block and finally writing emails that do your product or brand justice. You’ll discover how to pull natural, authentic messaging from yourself and then enhance it with AI for stronger, more engaging results. Whether you’re new to email marketing or just need a fresh spark, this short exercise will help you turn “stuck” into “sent.”

Switching from a traditional Email Service Provider (ESP), such as Mailchimp or the like, to HubSpot can feel overwhelming. In this episode, I share key lessons learned that could have improved our experience if applied from the very beginning. 

In this Exercise of the Week from Love, Email Actually, I will share a practical way to break out of the subject line rut by using your inbox and ChatGPT. You’ll discover how to spot high-performing subject line patterns, apply them to your own campaigns, and run quick A/B tests to see what resonates with your audience. Whether you’re a small business owner, Etsy or Shopify seller, or a marketing pro looking for fresh ideas, this exercise will help you test new subject line ideas for better results.

Want to boost your email open rates? Here are my recommendations for subject line ideas you should test to find out what resonates best with your audience. I include tips on subject line character length, personalization, and more!

Join me, Mariangela, as I share 15 years of insights to help your business conquer email challenges and grow, right here on Love Email Actually.