#8: Klaviyo Email Marketing: Why It’s Not as Hard as You Think

Does the thought of email marketing make you feel overwhelmed?

You’re not alone. Many e-commerce business owners worry that Klaviyo email marketing is too technical, time-consuming, or just plain confusing. When I started my first e-commerce store, I felt the same way.

At the time, I was figuring out how to build a Shopify store using nothing but YouTube videos because I couldn’t afford help. When I finally launched my website, I thought it was going to be a big moment—my virtual doors were open, and the customers would come pouring in. But they didn’t. Not a single person showed up.

That’s when I realized something crucial: having a store wasn’t enough. If I couldn’t market it, none of the hard work I’d put in would matter. But with zero budget for ads or fancy campaigns, I felt completely stuck. After listening to podcast after podcast, one thing kept coming up: every expert said email marketing—especially with Klaviyo—was the most cost-effective way to grow an online business.

Listen on the go🎙️

From Overwhelm to Confidence with Klaviyo Email Marketing

So, I signed up for a free Klaviyo account…and froze. The platform felt overwhelming, and I didn’t know where to start. I let it sit untouched for four months while I focused on social media because it felt easier to manage. Looking back, I wish I’d tackled Klaviyo sooner. Honestly, that first business might not have failed if I had.

Now, on the other side of that struggle, my goal is simple: to help you avoid the mistakes I made. I want to show you how to use email marketing without the overwhelm and confusion—so you can start growing your business today.

Here’s what I want you to know: email marketing doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about getting started, even if it’s messy at first. I’ll show you why email marketing is simpler than you think and walk you through three actionable steps to get started with Klaviyo today.

No more tech paralysis. No more lost time.

Why Email Marketing Feels Overwhelming

It’s easy to see why email marketing feels overwhelming at first. There’s so much advice out there—how to write emails, when to send them, which tools to use—and it’s hard to know where to start.

The good news? You’re here. You’ve already figured out that Klaviyo is the perfect tool for your e-commerce store, and now it’s time to start building the most important piece of your marketing strategy.

Some of the most common fears I hear include:

• “I’m not tech-savvy enough to set up emails.”
• “I don’t have time to figure it out.”
• “What if I send the wrong thing and annoy my subscribers?”
• “What if they unsubscribe?”

Here’s the truth: email marketing isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s about starting small—with one email or one simple automation—and building from there. Tools like Klaviyo are designed to make this process as intuitive as possible, meeting your audience right where they are. And it’s actually much simpler than you might think.

The overwhelm comes from trying to do everything at once. But what if you started with just one step today? Let me show you how.

Keep these simple Do’s and Don’ts in mind as you begin your email marketing journey with Klaviyo.

The Big Secret—It’s All About Automations

I know as a busy entrepreneur, you’re juggling a million things—from tweaking your website daily, to cranking out an endless stream of social media content, to creating your products. Not to mention the time spent with your family, the laundry being done, and your 4-year-old’s latest tale about how Hulk Smash jumped off the roof and cracked the road open being listened to…or is that just me?

Here’s the secret most successful e-commerce businesses know: the power of email marketing lies in automations. These behind-the-scenes emails work quietly in the background, engaging your customers and driving sales—all without you lifting a finger.

Just to make sure we’re on the same page, let me quickly explain what automations are. Automations are pre-scheduled emails triggered by specific actions—like someone signing up for your list, abandoning their cart, or making a purchase. Think of them as your 24/7 marketing assistant.

In Klaviyo, these automations are called Flows, so that’s the term I’ll use moving forward.

Benefits of Automations in Klaviyo Email Marketing

• Save Time: Automations eliminate the need to manually send emails, freeing up your schedule for other tasks.
• Build Trust: Deliver personalized messages at just the right time, making your customers feel valued and understood.
• Drive Revenue: Keep your business top-of-mind and bring customers back to buy more, effortlessly.

Klaviyo makes setting up Flows simple, with pre-built templates that take the guesswork out of email marketing. Whether it’s a welcome series or a post-purchase thank-you email, you can have your first Flow up and running in minutes.

3 Easy Steps to Get You Started Today

Step 1: Choose Your Email Marketing Tool

The right tool makes all the difference. Klaviyo integrates seamlessly with e-commerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce, giving you everything you need to create and track high-performing emails.

Setting up your account is easy. Head over to klaviyo.com and sign up for a free account. With Klaviyo’s free tier, you can:

• Send up to 500 emails per month.
• Manage up to 250 contacts.
• Access powerful features like pre-built email templates and detailed analytics.

As your business grows, Klaviyo offers flexible pricing plans that scale with your needs, so you only pay for what you use.

Step 2: Set Up Your First Automation (Flow)

Start small. A welcome email is the perfect first Flow—it introduces your brand to new subscribers and sets the tone for your relationship. Klaviyo’s templates make it easy to get this up and running in minutes.

A Klaviyo-created pop-up is used hand-in-hand with your welcome series, ensuring that new subscribers are immediately welcomed and engaged. This combination not only boosts engagement but also sets the foundation for long-term customer loyalty.

Want to dive deeper into setting up high-converting pop-ups and welcome flows? My upcoming course, Leads on Autopilot: Build a High-Converting Pop-Up & Welcome Flow in Klaviyo, will walk you through everything step by step.

Is getting started with email marketing something you are ready for? Download my Quick-Start Checklist for free and join the waitlist to be the first to know when the course launches. Click here to grab your checklist!

Step 3: Write One Email This Week

Don’t overthink it! Start by writing one simple email this week, like a thank-you note or an exclusive offer. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s to start building momentum and become consistent.

Your weekly email isn’t just about making sales right away. It’s about building a relationship. By showing your audience who you are, what your values are, and what sets you apart, you’ll stay top of mind. When they’re ready to purchase, they’ll think of you because they’ve been seeing your emails regularly.

Here’s how you can get started:

1. Navigate to Campaigns: Go to Campaigns > Create New Campaign in Klaviyo and choose a template to work from.
2. Personalize Your Template:
   • Replace placeholder images with high-quality images of yourself or your product.
   • Use personalization tags to greet your subscribers by their first name (in title case) for a friendly, tailored touch.
3. Keep It Short and Sweet:
   • Start with a compelling image above the fold.
   • Add a clear button for the action you want them to take:
     • Learn More (link to a blog)
     • Read More (link to a blog or product description)
     • Buy Now (link to a product page)
   • Write 1–2 short paragraphs below the button. Focus on value and clarity.
4. Sign Off with a Personal Touch:
   • End your email with your photo and name in the signature.
5. Don’t Forget Compliance:
   • Consider Including a clear unsubscribe button at the bottom of your email to stay compliant and avoid being flagged as spam.

Pro Tip: Consistency is key. Even if your audience doesn’t buy immediately, showing up in their inbox weekly builds trust and keeps your brand front and center.

Wrapping It Up

That’s it—just three steps. Start small, stay consistent, and watch as email marketing becomes one of the most rewarding parts of your business.

Remember, it’s not about perfection—it’s about progress.

Ready to take your email marketing to the next level? Download my free Quick-Start Checklist and join the waitlist for my upcoming course, Leads on Autopilot. Click here to get started!