Marketing your creative work doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or sleazy. In this post, we’re breaking down 8 simple, beginner-friendly tips to help artists, makers, and creatives build authentic connections, grow their audience, and sell their work with confidence—without sacrificing their personality or values.

If you’ve been putting off starting your email list because you’re not sure what to write, I want to tell you something important:

You don’t have to have it all figured out to begin.

You can start growing your list today—even if you don’t know what you’re going to send tomorrow.

In fact, most handmade business owners (especially those of us who aren’t marketers by trade) feel this way. You're not alone. The good news? You’re in the perfect position to start exactly where you are.

Let’s break it down.

Let me guess: you created a freebie, people are signing up, and now you’re not sure what to send next.

That’s where your welcome sequence comes in. It’s not just a nice-to-have—it’s actually your first funnel in disguise.

You’ve probably heard this a hundred times:

“You need an email list.”

And it’s true—your email list is one of the most valuable parts of your business. Unlike social media, it’s yours. It’s direct. It’s where the real sales happen.

But if you’re starting from zero (or close to it), building that list can feel overwhelming. Where do you find subscribers? What do you send them? How do you even ask people to join?

Let’s break it down. This post is all about how to get your first 100 email subscribers—without paid ads, complicated tech, or cringey tactics.

You Love What You Make. So Why Does Selling It Feel… Weird?

If you’ve ever cringed at the thought of “putting yourself out there,” you’re not alone. A lot of creative women start their businesses because they’re passionate about their craft—not because they dreamed of becoming a salesperson. But here’s the reality: if you want people to discover and purchase your beautiful handmade work, marketing is part of the deal.

But wait—don’t panic. I get it. Marketing can feel intimidating, especially if you’re not naturally inclined to shout from the rooftops about your creations. But here’s the good news:

Marketing doesn’t have to feel fake, pushy, or gross.

In fact, good marketing feels more like an invitation—not a hard sell. It’s about offering a way for others to experience what you’ve worked so hard to create, and sharing the value behind your products in a way that feels natural, authentic, and genuinely helpful.