Why Email Marketing Matters (and Why I Only Use Flodesk)
This post was written by Sarah Martino, our very own Client Concierge and resident Flodesk expert. She did such an amazing job setting me up with Flodesk that I had to share more about the email marketing services she offers beyond Akula Kreative.
Sarah helps small business owners simplify their marketing and build email systems that actually work. With hands-on experience growing her own engaged audience and setting up fully automated Flodesk systems for clients, she brings a thoughtful blend of strategy, design, and behind-the-scenes organization.
If you’re interested in working with her, you’ll find a link at the end of this post.
Special note to my clients: If Sarah sets you up in Flodesk, I’ll design your visuals to ensure everything feels cohesive and aligned. :)
- xo - Nikki
By Sarah Martino
I didn’t start using email marketing because I had some big marketing plan or strategy in mind.
I started because I had a blog, people were reading it, and I realized… I had no way to reach them again. I was also tired of trying to keep up on social media and wanted a real way to connect. I felt like I could be more ‘me’ and write more in an email than in an Instagram post or story.
So I started a newsletter.
And over time, that became one my favorite parts of my business. It’s where I actually talk to my audience…yes, they reply to me often and I love that!
There’s this idea that email is outdated. I hear it all the time.
But in my experience, it’s been the opposite.
It’s one of the only places where people consistently come back, read, click, and actually engage. Not everyone. But the right people.
And those are the ones who end up working with you.
where a website stops, email picks up
A website does its job in a moment.
Someone finds you, looks around, maybe clicks a few pages.
But most people aren’t ready to reach out right away. They don’t feel like they really know you yet. They’re thinking about it.
Email gives you a way to stick with them. Not by saying more, but by showing up again. When you are in the front of their minds weekly or quarterly in an authentic way, they will reach out ot you when they need you. And if you are over the trying to keep up with social media, a newsletter is a great way to bridge that gap!
how i ended up using flodesk
By the time I found Flodesk, I had already tried two other programs. They were complicated and the emails were rather boring. They worked, technically. But they always felt heavier than they needed to be and they felt like strictly a sales strategy, I wanted people who opened my emails to be excited to receive them.
Flodesk was the first time email marketing actually felt simple. I got excited to use it for my business and also to help those I worked with to learn to use it too. I sent a weekly email for 3 years and if I ever missed a week, I always had friends reaching out to see where it was.
And honestly, that’s why I stuck with it. I saw the power of a connected newsletter.
what people usually ask me
Most of the conversations I have about Flodesk sound the same:
Is it worth it?
Will I actually use it?
What would I even send?
And the answer is usually…you don’t need as much as you think.
You don’t need a complicated funnel.
You need:
a way for people to join your list and a free resource you can deliver
a simple welcome sequence
and a consistent way to stay in touch, for me that was a newsletter
That alone is enough to start building real connection.
what i’ve seen happen (for myself and my clients)
This is the part that changed how I look at email marketing.
When it’s set up well, it doesn’t feel like another thing to keep up with.
It becomes something that supports everything else you’re already doing.
I’ve seen:
emails become the main place where sales happen
people reply to newsletters like they’re conversations
sales happen and new clients are brought in without relying on social media
and clients feel more connected before they even reach out
And on a practical level, my clients have gained back an average of 5+ hours per week once their systems are in place. Not because they’re doing more, but because they’re not starting from scratch every time.
why i chose to focus on flodesk
At a certain point, I realized I wasn’t just using Flodesk, I was recommending it constantly.
It removed the barriers that kept people from actually doing email marketing. It doesn’t require a complicated setup to work well. And, it’s beautiful - which makes it easier to stay consistent (and that’s where the results come from).
That’s also why I chose to become a Flodesk partner and build this into the work I do with clients. As a Flodesk partner, I have a connection to the Flodesk team and get updates and trainings on how to use it to its full potential.
the way i approach it
Most people don’t need more ideas. They need someone to simplify the process and help them build something that works.
That usually looks like:
setting up clean, on-brand templates
mapping out what to send (without overthinking it)
creating simple automations that run in the background
and keeping everything consistent over time
Nothing overly complex. Just done well.
how i support this
If you’re looking to build (or simplify) your email marketing, this is exactly what I help with:
Flodesk Setup & Design
Custom templates, brand styling, and integrations to get everything set up right from the start.
Email Strategy
Clear direction for what to send, when to send it, and how it connects back to your offers.
Automations & Workflows
Simple, seamless funnels that nurture your audience and save you time.
Ongoing Support
Monthly management to keep everything consistent and running smoothly.
Email gets written off as outdated, but it’s still one of the most reliable ways to reach the right people and keep them coming back.
