For solo marketers, the job description reads like an entire department: strategist, copywriter, designer, social media manager, analyst, and, of course, email marketer. And while email remains one of the highest-performing channels, it can quickly become overwhelming when you’re also juggling ten other hats. How do you stay current, keep your campaigns running, and avoid burnout?

This guide is your crash course in doing more with less. Whether you’re a team of one by necessity or by choice, we’ll walk you through innovative ways to automate your email marketing, simplify your workload, and keep your edge, without working around the clock.

Why Email Still Deserves Your Attention

Before we dive into tactics, it’s worth reiterating why email deserves a spot at the top of your to-do list. According to Litmus, email marketing delivers an average ROI of $36 for every $1 spent, making it more cost-effective than almost any other channel. It’s direct, personal, measurable, and fully owned by you (not an algorithm).

But for solo marketers, the challenge isn’t the why—it’s the how.

Automation: Your 24/7 Assistant

Email marketing automation isn’t just for big teams. It’s one of the best tools a solo marketer can leverage to reclaim time and maintain consistency. With a few foundational automations in place, you can engage subscribers, convert leads, and nurture relationships even when you’re busy doing everything else.

Here are the core automated email sequences to set up first:

1. Welcome Series

When someone joins your list, what happens next? If your answer is “nothing,” you’re missing a key opportunity. A welcome series can introduce your brand, set expectations, and drive early engagement—all on autopilot.

Pro Tip: Keep your series short (2–3 emails max), and make the first one trigger instantly after sign-up. Use it to express gratitude, share a valuable resource, and encourage the next step (such as following you on social media or checking out your most popular product).

2. Lead Nurturing Campaign

Got a downloadable resource or sign-up form collecting leads? Great. But don’t let those leads sit idle. Use a nurturing series to follow up with educational content, case studies, or answers to FAQs. Think of it as a conversation starter—not a sales pitch.

Pro Tip: Build this once, then tweak the messaging over time based on open and click-through data. Benchmark Email’s Automation Pro makes this process simple with drag-and-drop functionality.

3. Post-Purchase or Onboarding Series

If you’re selling a product or service, create a follow-up series that helps users get the most value. This could include tips for getting started, check-in emails, or upsell offers.

Pro Tip: Include a survey or feedback form a few weeks in—solo marketers need that real-time insight to fine-tune without the luxury of a market research team.

4. Re-Engagement Campaign

Not every subscriber stays active forever. But before you say goodbye, try one last effort to rekindle their interest. A re-engagement email can offer a discount, ask for feedback, or simply remind them why they subscribed.

Keep It Lean: Tools That Do the Heavy Lifting

As a solo marketer, your tech stack should be working harder than you are. Here’s a minimalist toolkit to consider:

• Benchmark Email: For drag-and-drop automations, segmentation, and real-time analytics.
• Canva: For quick, polished graphics without needing a designer.
• ChatGPT: For writing prompts, brainstorming subject lines, or polishing your content.
• Google Analytics: To track how your email traffic behaves on your site.

Remember: the goal isn’t to do everything—it’s to do the right things faster.

Staying Current (Without Getting Overwhelmed)

Marketing moves fast. AI tools, privacy updates, new channels—it can feel like a full-time job just to keep up. Here’s how to stay sharp without burning out:

1. Curate Your Learning

Subscribe to just a few high-value newsletters (like Marketing Brew, Benchmark Email Blog Updates, or Total Annarchy by Ann Handley). Skip the rest.

2. Batch Your Time

Block a single hour per week to read up on trends or test a new tool. Protect that hour like a meeting.

3. Follow Industry Voices

Follow a handful of marketing experts on LinkedIn or X. Let their posts be your daily “drip” of insight, without the need for 10 open tabs.

“Being a solo marketer means constantly choosing what not to do. I don’t have time to try every trend—I focus on what works, then optimize.”
— Comment from a LinkedIn marketing community member

Keep Burnout at Bay

Even with automation and innovative tools, the solo grind can take a toll. Protect your energy as fiercely as your budget.

• Set realistic goals: Don’t aim to publish a newsletter, launch a campaign, and rebuild your website in a week. Focus on progress, not perfection.
• Celebrate small wins: Every open, reply, or conversion is a win, especially when you’re in charge.
• Build a peer network: Even a solo marketer doesn’t have to go it alone. Join online communities, marketing Slack groups, or Benchmark’s webinars to share ideas and stay inspired.

As a solo marketer, your time and energy are your most valuable assets. With a little upfront effort, email automation can keep your outreach consistent and effective, even when you’re knee-deep in a dozen other tasks. Start with a simple welcome series. Build on that momentum. And remember: staying current doesn’t mean doing it all—it means doing what matters.

With tools like Benchmark Email, you don’t have to choose between consistency and sanity. You can have both, and your subscribers (and your boss or clients) will appreciate it.