You sit down to write your weekly email, fingers hovering over the keyboard, and suddenly your mind goes blank.
“What do I even say?” Yep, I’ve been there, too.
Whether you’re just getting started with email marketing or you’ve been showing up for your list and feel like you’re running out of things to say, this post is here as your lifeline (not a lecture).
I’ll walk you through the mindset shifts that help me keep writing when I feel stuck, plus practical email ideas you can send right now. And if you’re still wondering if you should even start an email list, this post is a great place to begin before diving in here.
Let’s take the guesswork out of hitting “send,” shall we?
Why “I don’t know what to say” is a signal (not a roadblock)
First: that feeling might be your best clue. When your brain is quiet, you’re being invited to listen to what’s really going on and lean into slower, more meaningful content.
The blank page often means you need space, not pressure.
I used to force myself to “pump out content” every week or even get weeks to months ahead. The result? Emails that felt stale, and more dread than excitement. Guessing at what I want to say now and in the future just didn’t feel as fun.
Later I learned that letting quiet become the well where new stories rise is worth the wait. Some of my best emails came from the days I almost didn’t send anything at all.
Being consistent, even with imperfect ideas, builds trust. Your people learn: when you show up, they can rely on your voice. So even when you feel stuck, sending something (if it’s genuine) is often better than silence.
9 Email Types You Can Send When You’re Stuck
Here are ideas (with mini templates) you can send right now. Each of these ideas comes with a little warmth, a “why it works,” and a quick prompt to get you started. Bookmark this list! It’s your creative safety net. Use them as fill-in prompts, not rigid scripts.
1. Behind the Scenes: Share a Day in Your Real Life
Show a real snapshot, like a messy kitchen, favorite mug, morning walk. This can, and should, feel off the cuff. Imagine sitting down and writing an email to a friend you haven’t talked to in a little while. How would you update them on your life? What kind of details would you include to someone you want to let in on those intimate moments?
Humans connect with process, not just polished results.
Here’s my trick: When I sit down to write an email, I picture my friend Sarah. Not my whole list. Not “my ideal client avatar.” Just Sarah.
I write the way I’d text her: ADHD brain firing, starting with the hook that gets me excited, then backtracking to tell the actual story. It’s not polished. It’s not “optimized.” But it’s the kind of email I’d actually want to open.
That’s the secret: write emails you’d be excited to read. If you’re bored writing it, your reader will be bored reading it.Mini prompt: “Here’s what a typical Tuesday looks like for me.” Or try: “You know that thing where you [relatable moment]? That was my whole morning.”
2. What’s Inspiring Me This Week
If your brain feels like it’s running on fumes and you’re staring at a blinking cursor wondering what to send… start here. One of the easiest ways to write a meaningful email is by sharing what’s inspiring you right now.
It could be a podcast episode that made you hit pause and scribble notes, a quote you highlighted in a book, a reel that stopped your scroll, or even a conversation that cracked something open in you. Choose one thing and explain why it stuck with you or shifted your thinking, even if just a tiny bit.
Here’s how to think about it: You’re not just sharing the thing, you’re sharing your take on it. That’s where the connection happens. Your commentary becomes the glue, giving your reader a reason to care, reflect, or respond.
This kind of email builds trust and opens up space for conversations, not just clicks. It gently reminds your audience that you’re right there with them, learning and growing, too.
Mini prompt:“I just read/listened to/watched ___ and here’s how it landed in my brain…”
3. Mini Case Study or Client Transformation
This is one of my go-to ways to connect with my audience because it’s not just about telling them what I do, it’s about showing them the ripple effect of it. Sharing a transformation, even a small one, helps people see what’s possible. And honestly? Some of the tiniest wins make the biggest impact.
You don’t need a dramatic “before and after” to tell a good story. One of my favorite emails I ever sent was about a client who went from totally ghosting her email list to writing once a week and loving it. It wasn’t flashy, but it was real. And that realness is what helped people say, “Wait… if she can do that, maybe I can, too.”
Think about someone you’ve worked with (or even just encouraged!) who experienced a shift because of your work. Start with where they were when they came to you. What were they feeling or stuck on? What did you work through together? And most importantly, what changed? Paint that picture with a little emotion and honesty. Then share a takeaway. What was the “aha” moment? What did you both learn?
Telling these kinds of stories does more than just build credibility… it builds trust. It lets your readers see what you do in action, in a way that’s human, helpful, and not salesy.
Mini prompt:“My client (let’s call her M.) went from dreading writing emails to consistently showing up for her audience in just 6 weeks. Here’s what shifted and how we kept it simple.”
4. Ask Me Anything (and Answer It)
This one’s perfect when your idea tank feels totally empty, because you don’t actually have to come up with the content all on your own. Ask your audience to help shape it.
When I feel stuck, I’ll post a simple Q&A box on Instagram Stories or go digging through DMs, comments, posts in our Facebook groups, or past coaching calls. (I’ll even check my recent text chats with friends; they ask the best questions sometimes.) It always surprises me how the best questions are the ones I wouldn’t have thought to write about on my own, but they spark the most real, honest, and valuable conversations.
Here’s how to use this in an email: take one question (something someone asked you or something you wish they’d ask), and answer it directly in your email. Keep it casual, conversational, like you’re replying to a friend. Not only does it give you something easy and relevant to talk about, but it also boosts engagement and trust. Your audience sees that you’re listening and responding to them.
Mini prompt:“Reply and tell me what you’re wrestling with when it comes to ___…” Then pick one question to answer next week!
5. Resource Roundup: Links, Tools, or Lessons You Love
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel in every email. Sometimes, the most valuable thing you can do is simply share what’s helping you. Think: the article you bookmarked, the podcast you couldn’t stop thinking about, the Chrome extension that saved your sanity, or even the new mascara that actually does what it promises (a rare miracle, I know).
If you’re anything like me, you’re constantly discovering things you love in life and business, but are you accidentally gatekeeping them? Your subscribers want the behind-the-scenes. They want to know what’s making your life easier, better, or just more fun.
So grab a few faves (three is a sweet spot!), and send them like you would to a friend who texted, “Hey, what are you loving right now?” Include a quick note about why you’re loving each one, because this is the part that turns a list of links into real value. You’re not just sharing; you’re curating. You’re saving them time and helping them sort through the noise.
Mini prompt:“Here are three things I saved to read later this week and what they reminded me of…”
6. Flashback or “From the Archives”
Chances are, you’re sitting on a whole lot of content that only got one shot at the spotlight. But here’s the thing: just because you shared it once doesn’t mean it’s done serving. Some of my best-performing emails or podcast episodes? They didn’t hit the first time. They landed when I brought them back, reworked the angle, or connected it to something current.
So, I say dig into your own archives. You likely already have a gold mine on your hands. Scroll through your past blog posts, podcast episodes, IG captions, or even journal entries and look for something that still feels true. Then reshare it with a new takeaway, fresh context, or a little “here’s what’s changed since I first wrote this.”
This isn’t lazy marketing. It’s smart storytelling. You’re reminding your audience of the wisdom and value you already have while honoring how far you’ve come.
Mini prompt: “This post from 2023 still hits hard, but here’s what I’d add to it now…”
RELATED: How to Convert Your Instagram Followers Into Email Subscribers
7. Community or Client Spotlight
If you’re feeling a little low on personal inspiration (because hey, we all hit those seasons), try turning the spotlight outward. There’s something powerful about pausing to celebrate someone else: a subscriber who’s had a breakthrough, a client who took imperfect action, or even a fellow business owner doing something really cool in their corner of the internet.
I love using email as a space to lift others up, especially when I see someone living out a lesson we’ve talked about or applying a strategy in a way that’s working for them. Not only does it build community and trust, but it also shows your audience what’s possible in a way that feels grounded and relatable.
Choose one person to highlight and share a little about their journey. What challenge did they face? What did they try? What’s changed since then? And if it’s someone outside your business, share why you admire them and what your audience might take away from their story.
Mini prompt:“Meet [Name]. She’s been quietly doing [amazing thing] and here’s what we can all learn from her journey…”
8. A Mini Training or Quick Tip
When in doubt, teach something small but mighty. One of my favorite email go-tos is sharing a bite-sized, actionable tip that my reader can try today. It doesn’t need to be a full-blown tutorial or training. In fact, the simpler, the better.
Think: a mindset reframe, a three-step exercise, a content prompt, a workflow tweak, anything that can deliver a quick “aha!” or a win they can feel right away. These kinds of emails build trust fast because they prove that your content isn’t just nice to read, it’s actually useful.
And a bonus tip from me to you? When you include a hint of the win in your subject line or preview text, those open rates tend to climb (because who doesn’t love a little instant progress?).
Mini prompt: “Here’s a 3-step exercise you can try today to boost [insert result]—I’ve been doing it myself and it’s made such a difference.”
RELATED: Start Your Email List Here: High-Converting Opt-In Ideas That Actually Work
9. A Personal Story and the Lesson It Taught You
This is my personal favorite. The “I messed up, learned something, and here’s what I’m doing differently” kind of story.
A few months ago, I almost skipped writing an email because I felt behind on my to-do list. But when I showed up honestly and shared what that felt like, the responses were overwhelming. Turns out, my audience didn’t need perfection; they needed permission.
That lesson changed everything for me. Now I write more of what’s actually on my mind, less strategy, more heart. A few weeks ago, I sent an email about throwing a pizza party in my hometown. Not a “networking event.” Not a “client appreciation mixer.” Just… pizza. With people I like.
I didn’t tie it to a launch. I didn’t include a CTA. I just told the story of why I wanted to do it and hit send.
The responses? People loved it. Not because it was strategic, but because it was true. My audience didn’t need another “5 steps to scale your business” email. They needed to know I’m a real person who gets excited about pizza parties and has chickens and thinks about things at 2am that have nothing to do with my business.
Why it works: It humanizes you. When you stop performing and start sharing, your readers feel it and they lean in.
Mini prompt: “I messed up with ___ last week, and here’s what I’m doing differently now.”
You’ll notice: none of these prompts require reinventing the wheel. They come from your life, your learning, and your relationships.
Mindset Shifts to Overcome Writer’s Block for Email Content
Sometimes, the issue isn’t what to write. It’s how we feel about writing. Here’s how to change the story you tell yourself when your ideas stall:
- You are not a machine. Rest is part of creation. Your subscribers want your presence, not your perfection. (I write my best stuff starting with voice memos on walks, not at my desk. Your process is allowed to be weird.)
- Your audience doesn’t need new, they need you. Don’t be afraid to repeat yourself. You could tell the same story twice, and it would land differently because you’ve grown.
- Consistency doesn’t mean constant. It means showing up on rhythm, even when you’re not at full volume, consistency will win, every time.
- Blank days are part of the creative rhythm. They mean you’re processing, learning, and preparing to pour out again. I tend to combat this by batch writing my emails and hitting a flow state!
When you slow down and tell the truth, your audience doesn’t drift away, they lean in.
6 Steps to Rescue Your Email When You’re Stuck
| Your Engaging Email Focus | Why It Really Works |
| One central idea (don’t try to overdeliver every single time!) | Keeps your reader engaged and walking away with value that didn’t waste their time. |
| Personal touch / anecdote / life experience | Builds connection by giving your audience a thread into the person not just behind the business, but woven into it. |
| Quick takeaway or actionable + how long they will need to do it | Leaves your reader feeling, “I gained something” with a timeframe, if that makes sense. I.e. “You’re just 3 minutes away from changing how you wake up in the morning.” |
| Call to action for your audience to take | Moves relationship forward, like getting your subscribers onto your blog, podcast, freebie, live event, or online community. |
| Skimmable layout (short paragraphs, bullets, or even a TL;DR: section at the top) | Respects your reader’s time and also tantalizes the reader who was about to keep scrolling by giving them a glimpse of what awaits in your email. |
Email Deliverability Tips & What Not to Say (So Your Emails Land in the Inbox)
You can write the best email in the world, but it won’t matter if it gets filtered into spam. My bet is that you’re like me and didn’t even know I was doing anything that could land me in spam. I had to get extra creative when it comes to saying my free masterclasses are, well, free.
Here’s how to boost your email deliverability and protect your sender reputation:
Best Practices for Email Deliverability
- Use a trusted email service provider (like Flodesk or ConvertKit).
- Authenticate your domain so mailbox providers trust you.
- Send to your most engaged readers first, then gradually to the rest.
- Remove cold or inactive subscribers regularly; quality beats quantity.
- Keep your image-to-text ratio balanced and avoid huge attachments.
- Write clean, descriptive subject lines; avoid click bait or all caps.
Avoid These Spam Triggers
- “Free!!!,” “Buy Now,” “Act Fast,” “Limited Offer” as spam filters flag these.
- Overuse of emojis or exclamation points.
- Misleading subject lines that don’t match your content.
- Sending too frequently without engagement.
- Hiding or omitting an unsubscribe link (it’s legally required).
You can also test your deliverability using a tool like Mail-Tester or GlockApps before sending your next campaign.
RELATED: How to Build an Email List with Flodesk (Even if You’re Not a Designer)
Frequently Asked Questions: What to Send Emails When You’re Stuck
Q: What types of emails get the highest open rates?
A: The truth is, the emails that get opened the most aren’t always the fanciest—they’re the ones that feel personal, useful, or timely. People open what feels real. In my business, the emails that tend to perform best are short, clear, and focused on just one thing: a helpful tip, a story with a takeaway, or a behind-the-scenes moment.
Anything that makes your reader feel like they’re getting something just for them, whether that’s a quick win, a fresh perspective, or a resource they can use right away, is what keeps open rates high. You don’t need to overthink it. The more your list learns that opening your emails is worth their time, the more they’ll keep showing up.
Q: What kind of emails build trust with your audience?
A: Trust comes from consistency, yes, but more than that, it comes from honesty. The kind of emails that build real connection are the ones where you’re not trying to perform. You’re just showing up as you. That could mean sharing a lesson you just learned, highlighting a client win, or even talking about something that didn’t go as planned.
I’ve found that when I open up a little and speak from experience (not expertise) I build a deeper relationship with my audience. You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just have to be willing to share something true and helpful, even in the smallest way.
Q: How do I keep my emails out of the spam folder?
A: Even if you’re using a solid platform like Flodesk, Kit, or Mailchimp, your emails can still land in spam if your sending practices raise red flags. Deliverability isn’t just about the tool. It’s about how you use it. Make sure your domain is authenticated (yes, those SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records matter!) so inboxes recognize you as legit. Avoid subject lines that scream “promo” with all caps or excessive emojis, and write your emails the way you’d talk to a real person, not like a marketing robot.
Most importantly, clean your list regularly and focus on engaging the people who actually want to hear from you. When subscribers open and interact with your emails, inbox providers take notice and your deliverability improves over time.
Q: How do I write subject lines that get people to open my emails?
A: Think of subject lines like a peek behind the curtain. They should spark curiosity, offer a clear benefit, or feel like a message from a friend. I like to write mine after the email is done so I can match the tone and promise. And I’ve noticed that the best ones usually sound casual, personal, or a little unexpected. For example, “I wasn’t going to send this…” or “I accidentally changed how I plan my week, oops” almost always perform better than something overly polished or promotional.
Keep it short, specific, and conversational. And don’t forget about that preview text! It’s your second chance to pull them in.
What to Write in Your Next Email When You Feel Stuck
If there’s one takeaway I hope sticks with you, it’s this: your email list doesn’t need perfect content. They need real connection. And you don’t have to wait until you feel wildly inspired or have something groundbreaking to say. The act of showing up, even with something small, honest, or unfinished—is what builds trust over time.
Every email is a chance to serve, connect, and remind your people that you’re still here, still showing up for them. Even the wobbly drafts you almost didn’t send? They matter. They create momentum. And often, those are the emails that resonate the most.
So when the next blank email day rolls around, don’t let it paralyze you. Come back to one simple question: what would help or encourage your reader right now? Start there. Your words don’t have to be perfect to be powerful, they just have to be yours.And yes, your people are waiting to hear from you.
