Effective Email and Newsletter Marketing
Review

Tactical, beginner-friendly intro to building an email list, from zero to monetization, without hype or fluff

Easy
  • Last updated 26/08/2025
by Jeff Goins

What you'll learn ? Overview

Description: We discovered Effective Email and Newsletter Marketing is Jeff Goins' attempt to demystify email marketing for complete beginners. After analyzing the curriculum, we found it's positioned as a no-nonsense, practical guide that takes you from zero subscribers to building and monetizing your first list.

The course promises to teach you the fundamentals of email list building, from choosing the right platform to crafting emails people actually want to read. What caught our attention? The emphasis on ethical, relationship-based marketing rather than aggressive sales tactics.

Here's what the training covers: setting up your first email list, creating lead magnets that convert, writing welcome sequences that build trust, and eventually monetizing your audience. The content is broken into bite-sized video lessons (we counted seven main modules), making it digestible for busy creators.

Jeff Goins, known for his books like "Real Artists Don't Starve" and "You Are a Writer," brings his writing background to email marketing. The course reflects his philosophy: build genuine connections first, sell second. At $49 (or $14.99 on sale), it's priced accessibly for beginners who want structured guidance without breaking the bank.

We noticed the course is hosted on CreativeLive, a reputable platform for creative professionals. This means you're getting professional video quality and a reliable learning interface, not some janky membership site that crashes every other day.

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Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

👉

Time commitment

light Light (1–5 Hours/Week)

👉

Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

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Goal

Learn A New Skill

Best suited for:

Writers, bloggers, artists, and creative entrepreneurs starting from scratch who want a structured approach to email marketing without the typical internet marketing hype

Instructor

Jeff Goins

Bestselling Author and Writing Coach Legitimacy Score: 9/10
Jeff Goins is a prolific writer, speaker, and entrepreneur who has made a significant impact in the world of writing and creative entrepreneurship. With five bestselling books under his belt, including 'The Art of Work' and 'Real Artists Don't Starve', Goins has established himself as a trusted voice for aspiring writers and creatives. His blog, Goinswriter.com, attracts millions of visitors annually, offering practical advice on writing, creativity, and building a successful career as an artist.
Goins began his career as a marketing director for Adventures in Missions, a Christian nonprofit organization. In 2011, he transitioned to full-time writing and entrepreneurship. He founded Tribe Writers, an online community for writers, which has since evolved into a comprehensive course helping thousands of writers hone their craft and build their platforms. Goins has also ventured into publishing, founding Fresh Complaint, a creative agency that assists thought leaders in developing and refining their book ideas.
• National bestseller 'The Art of Work' (2015)
• Wall Street Journal bestseller 'Real Artists Don't Starve' (2017)
• Founded Tribe Writers, a successful online community for writers
• Established Fresh Complaint, a bespoke creative agency for thought leaders
• Regular contributor to major publications like Business Insider and Fast Company
• Guest on 'The Portfolio Life' podcast
• Speaker at numerous writing conferences and entrepreneurship events
• Featured on the 'Smart Passive Income' podcast with Pat Flynn
• Keynote speaker at the Tribe Conference, an annual event for writers and creatives
• Guest on 'The Unmistakable Creative' podcast
Jeff Goins maintains a robust digital footprint across various platforms. He regularly shares writing tips, creative insights, and personal reflections on his blog and social media channels. His content primarily focuses on the intersection of creativity, entrepreneurship, and personal growth, often drawing from his own experiences as a writer and business owner.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration7
  • 📶 DifficultyEasy
  • ⌛ Access Lifetime
  • ⏰ Time investmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

None stated, though having a website or blog helps implementation


💻 Requirements

Computer with internet access, modern web browser


💸 Hidden Costs

Email service provider subscription ($10-29+/month after free tier limits)


🙋‍♂️ Support Options

Self-paced learning only, no live Q&A or community access mentioned

Course content

  • Module 1: The Why of Email Marketing, Understanding Email vs. Social Media, Setting Expectations
  • Module 2: Getting Started, Choosing an Email Service Provider, Essential Email Marketing Vocabulary
  • Module 3: Building Your First 100 Subscribers, Creating Your First Lead Magnet, Opt-in Form Strategies
  • Module 4: Welcome Sequence Creation, Onboarding New Subscribers, Building Trust Through Automation
  • Module 5: Content That Connects, Newsletter Planning, Engagement Strategies
  • Module 6: Advanced List Building, Pop-up Forms, Content Upgrades
  • Module 7: Monetization Basics, Product Launches, Turning Subscribers into Customers

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Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

Reviews on CreativeLive paint a positive picture, with students praising the course's clarity and beginner-friendly approach. We found users consistently highlighting how Jeff breaks down complex concepts into manageable steps.

Praised points

  • Crystal-clear instruction: Students love how Jeff explains email marketing without drowning them in jargon
  • Practical, actionable steps: Reviewers report being able to implement lessons immediately
  • Ethical marketing focus: Users appreciate the emphasis on building genuine relationships vs. pushy sales tactics

Criticisms

  • Basic content for experienced marketers: Advanced users find the material too foundational
  • Limited technical depth: Some wish for more detailed ESP tutorials
  • No community or live support: Students miss having a space to ask questions

Testimonials

"Great for both the person just starting out and a great review for those more experienced."

"Jeff teaches email in a way that's honest and actionable."

"If you're brand new to newsletters, this course is gold."

"The step-by-step structure makes list building feel doable."

"I liked the ethical, no-hype approach to growing my list."

Social insights

While we couldn't find extensive Reddit discussions about this specific course, Jeff Goins' general reputation in writing circles is solid. One Redditor mentioned, "Goins is legit. His advice is practical and less 'salesy' than a lot of other marketing gurus."

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

The promise to help students "get their first 1,000 subscribers" is realistic for beginners who implement the strategies consistently. No unrealistic income promises detected.

Price History

Regular price $49, frequently discounted to $14.99 during CreativeLive promotions

Upsell Practices

While this course stands alone, Jeff Goins does offer higher-ticket programs like Tribe Writers. Expect email marketing for these after purchase.

Student Success

CreativeLive reviews confirm students successfully implement the basics, though no specific case studies provided

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

CreativeLive, professional platform with smooth video streaming and intuitive navigation

Content Accessibility

Lifetime access to streaming videos, downloadable materials not confirmed

Mobile Compatibility

CreativeLive offers mobile app and responsive design for learning on the go

Technical Requirements

Standard internet connection for video streaming, no special software needed

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

We found no significant complaints or scam reports associated with this course or Jeff Goins.

😬

Refund policy issues

CreativeLive offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee, clearly stated on their platform.

😬

Marketing practices

Transparent and realistic. No income claims or pressure tactics detected.

😬

Community feedback

Generally positive reputation, no concerning patterns in online discussions.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At $49 (or $14.99 on sale), we believe this course delivers exceptional value for beginners. You're getting structured, professional content that would take weeks to piece together from free resources.

Conclusion

After thorough analysis, we can confirm Effective Email and Newsletter Marketing is a legitimate, well-structured course that delivers on its promises. Jeff Goins has created exactly what he advertised: a no-fluff introduction to email marketing for creative professionals.

The course excels in its clarity and ethical approach, making email marketing accessible without the usual aggressive tactics. We particularly appreciate the realistic expectations, no income hype or "six-figure" promises here.

Is it perfect? No. Advanced marketers will find it too basic, and the lack of community support might leave some learners feeling isolated. But for its target audience (complete beginners), it hits the mark.

At the Low Ticket price point, we're impressed by the professional platform and comprehensive curriculum. If you're a creator who's been procrastinating on starting an email list because it feels overwhelming, this course removes those barriers.

Our verdict? For beginners seeking a trustworthy, step-by-step guide to email marketing at an affordable price, this course is absolutely worth considering. Just remember: you'll need to budget for an email service provider to implement what you learn.

FAQs about this course

Yes, the course is designed specifically for those with zero experience in email marketing, walking through every step from the basics.

CreativeLive offers a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If you're not happy with the course, you can request a full refund within 30 days.

No special software required for the course itself, but you'll need an email service provider (like ConvertKit or Mailchimp) to implement the strategies, which costs $10-29+/month after free limits.

The course contains about 7 days of content if you dedicate 1-2 hours daily, though you can work at your own pace with lifetime access.

No, this is a self-paced course without live Q&A sessions or community access. You'll be learning independently.

No, this course focuses on foundational skills for beginners. Advanced marketers should look elsewhere for complex funnel strategies.

Yes, CreativeLive has a mobile app and responsive website, allowing you to learn on smartphones and tablets.

CreativeLive runs frequent promotions, so if you see the course at $49, it's worth waiting for the next sale to grab it at $14.99.

Yes, Jeff offers more comprehensive programs like Tribe Writers for building an entire online platform, though those are significantly more expensive.

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Effective Email and Newsletter Marketing Review
$ 49
Total score: 8,2/10 ⭐
  • Duration7
  • DifficultyEasy
  • Release Date01/2020
  • Format Self-Paced
  • AccessLifetime
  • Time InvestmentLight (1–5 Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
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Our Methodology

At IsThisCourseLegit, we're committed to providing objective and transparent evaluations. Our rating system is based on rigorous criteria evaluated by experienced entrepreneurs who have built and sold successful online businesses.

Our Rating System

Each course is rated on a scale of 1-10 across key categories including content quality, value for money, community support, results potential, and update maintenance. The overall score reflects our comprehensive assessment of the course's value and effectiveness.

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Effective Email and Newsletter Marketing Review