We spent considerable time examining "Getting Started with Email Marketing," and here's what we discovered. This course, taught by Allyson Van Houten (former Senior Marketing Manager at Mailchimp, now Director of Solutions Marketing at Raptive), delivers exactly what beginners need: a practical foundation in email marketing without the fluff.
The course runs just over an hour, making it digestible for busy professionals. Van Houten structures the content around real-world applications, specifically using Mailchimp as the primary tool. You'll learn how to align email marketing goals with business objectives, understand different email types and their purposes, determine optimal sending frequency, and avoid common pitfalls that tank campaigns.
What sets this course apart? It's the practical focus. Rather than drowning you in theory, Van Houten walks through actual campaign creation, from conception to execution. The course covers essential topics like building subscriber lists, segmenting audiences, writing compelling copy, and analyzing campaign performance.
We noticed the course heavily emphasizes Mailchimp's ecosystem (which makes sense given Van Houten's background). While this provides concrete examples, it does limit the platform-agnostic strategies you might find elsewhere. Still, for someone just starting out, having a specific tool to learn with actually helps reduce overwhelm.
The video-based format works well for this content. Each module builds logically on the previous one, creating a clear learning path from "what is email marketing?" to "here's how to launch your first campaign." Available through Skillshare, you'll need their subscription after the 7-day trial, but at $13.75/month when paid annually, it's reasonable for accessing their entire course library.
Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)
light Light (1–5 Hours/Week)
Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)
Learn A New Skill
Reception is generally positive, particularly among true beginners. Most learners appreciate Van Houten's clear teaching style and practical approach, though some wish for more current examples and broader platform coverage.
"Allyson explains everything in a way that makes email marketing less intimidating!"
"Perfect for my small business needs, got my first campaign out within days."
"Wish it covered more than just Mailchimp, but solid intro course."
"The practical examples really helped me understand the concepts."
"Good value for free trial, but needed more advanced content after a month."
Reddit discussions position this course as a decent starting point for newcomers. Users in marketing forums frequently mention it as part of their learning journey, though they emphasize you'll need additional resources for advanced strategies. The consensus? Good for foundations, but don't stop here.
A legitimate beginner course that delivers foundational knowledge effectively, though limited in scope and platform diversity.
Claims to teach email marketing basics using Mailchimp, which it delivers. No exaggerated promises about becoming an expert or earning specific income.
Consistently offered through Skillshare's subscription model
No course-specific upsells. Skillshare promotes other courses on their platform
Users report successfully launching first campaigns, though no tracked metrics on long-term success
Honest, straightforward marketing that sets appropriate expectations for a beginner course
Skillshare provides reliable streaming with good UX, though some users report occasional buffering issues
Stream-only while subscription active, no downloads for offline viewing
Full mobile app support for iOS and Android
Standard internet connection (2+ Mbps), modern browser or mobile device
Skillshare's platform handles the content well, with smooth video playback and intuitive navigation. The lack of downloadable materials limits offline study, but the mobile apps partially compensate. For a low-ticket course, the delivery mechanism meets expectations, though we'd appreciate transcript downloads or PDF summaries for reference.
No significant complaints beyond content being basic for experienced users. Some learners mention wanting more up-to-date examples, but no reports of misleading content or broken promises.
Skillshare's standard 7-day trial applies. No course-specific refund issues reported.
Transparent about skill level and outcomes. No income claims or unrealistic promises detected. The course description accurately reflects the beginner-focused content.
Generally positive with realistic expectations. Main concern is content freshness, not legitimacy.
Clean record. This is a straightforward educational product with honest marketing and clear value proposition for beginners.
For a free trial or $13.75/month subscription, you're getting solid beginner content from a credible instructor. The hour-long format respects your time while covering essentials. Compare this to paid email marketing courses running $200-500, and the value becomes clear for beginners.
We found "Getting Started with Email Marketing" to be a legitimate, well-structured introduction to email marketing fundamentals. Allyson Van Houten's industry experience shines through in her practical approach, making complex concepts accessible to beginners. The course delivers exactly what it promises: a foundation for launching your first email campaigns.
However, we must note its limitations. The Mailchimp-centric approach, while helpful for specificity, doesn't prepare you for other platforms. The content, though solid, lacks the depth intermediate marketers need. And without recent updates, some strategies feel dated in today's privacy-focused, AI-enhanced marketing landscape.
For beginners with zero email marketing experience, especially those planning to use Mailchimp, this course offers excellent value through Skillshare's affordable subscription. Just understand you'll need additional resources as you advance. Think of it as your first step, not your final destination, in mastering email marketing.
For a free trial or $13.75/month subscription, you're getting solid beginner content from a credible instructor. The hour-long format respects your time while covering essentials. Compare this to paid email marketing courses running $200-500, and the value becomes clear for beginners.
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