Send your first broadcast email

In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through sending your first broadcast email using SelfMailKit - from initial setup to hitting that send button with confidence.

Whether you're new to email marketing or switching from another platform, this guide will help you get started quickly and effectively. If you're still evaluating email platforms, check out our comparison guides for best Mailchimp alternatives, top Klaviyo alternatives, best Omnisend alternatives, and best SendGrid alternatives. For specific platform comparisons, see our SelfMailKit vs Klaviyo and SelfMailKit vs Mailchimp analyses.

What Are Broadcast Emails?

Broadcast emails are the emails sent to your entire audience or specific segments. They're perfect for:

• Newsletters – Regular updates and valuable content for your subscribers
• Product announcements – Launching new features or services
• Company updates – Sharing milestones, team changes, or important news
• Event invitations – Promoting webinars, conferences, or meetups
• Special offers – Limited-time promotions and exclusive deals

Unlike transactional emails (like password resets), broadcast emails are designed to engage, inform, and build relationships with your audience.

Prerequisites: What You'll Need

Before diving into your first broadcast, you'll need three essential components:

1. A verified domain – This establishes your sender reputation
2. An audience – Your list of subscribers
3. A template – The design and content of your email

Don't worry if this sounds overwhelming – I'll guide you through each step!

Step 1: Setting Up Your Domain

Your domain is your email's return address and crucial for deliverability. Here's how to set it up:

Create Your Domain in SelfMailKit

1. Navigate to the SelfMailKit dashboard
2. Click "Create Domain" and enter your domain name
3. SelfMailKit will generate the necessary DNS records

Add DNS Records

You'll need to add several DNS records to your domain provider. This step is crucial – without proper DNS configuration, your emails won't be delivered.

Pro Tip: Most domain providers have detailed guides for adding DNS records. If you're stuck, their support team can usually help you add these records quickly.

The DNS records authenticate your domain and tell email providers that you're authorized to send emails from this domain.

Step 2: Building Your Audience

Your audience is where you add or import your contacts. Here's how to set it up:

Create an Audience

1. Go to the SelfMailKit audiences page
2. Click "Create Audience" and give it a descriptive name
3. Choose whether to import from CSV or add contacts manually

Importing from CSV

If you have an existing email list, CSV import is your fastest option:

• Supported formats: CSV files with email, first name, and last name columns
• Duplicate handling: SelfMailKit automatically removes duplicates
• Scale: Import unlimited contacts

Important: Only import contacts who have explicitly opted in to receive emails from you. This ensures compliance with email marketing laws and maintains good sender reputation.

Step 3: Designing Your Email Template

SelfMailKit offers multiple ways to create beautiful email templates:

Option A: Notion-Style Editor (Recommended for Beginners)

Perfect if you want a user-friendly experience:

• Intuitive interface: Similar to writing in Notion or Google Docs
• Rich components: Text, images, buttons, icons, and more
• Built-in elements: Automatic unsubscribe footer and styling

Option B: Code Editor (For Advanced Users)

Ideal for developers or those with existing templates:

• Full control: Direct HTML and CSS editing
• Import existing templates: Use designs from React Email or other sources
• Custom styling: Complete creative freedom

Option C: Visual Editor

A drag-and-drop interface for visual designers.

Adding Essential Elements

Unsubscribe Link (Required)

Every broadcast email must include an unsubscribe link:

In Notion-style editor: Type /footer to add an automatic unsubscribe footer

In Code editor: Use the variable {{ unsubscribe_url }}

<a
  href="{{unsubscribe_url}}"
  style="color: rgb(59, 130, 246); text-decoration-line: underline;"
  target="_blank"
>
  Unsubscribe
</a>

Images and Assets

Upload logos, images, or files directly in the template editor:

1. Click "Upload Asset"
2. Select your file
3. Copy the generated URL
4. Use it in your template

Personalizing Your Emails with Variables

Personalization significantly improves email engagement. SelfMailKit provides several built-in variables:

Available Variables

• {{ email }} – Recipient's email address (always available)
• {{ unsubscribe_url }} – Unsubscribe link (always available)
• {{ first_name }} – Recipient's first name (if available in your audience)
• {{ last_name }} – Recipient's last name (if available in your audience)

Using Variables Effectively

Hi {{ first_name }},

Thanks for subscribing to our newsletter!

This will display:

• "Hi John," if the first name is available
• "Hi there," if the first name is missing

CSV Column Mapping: When importing, SelfMailKit automatically maps common column names like "first name", "firstname", "name", etc.

Step 4: Creating and Sending Your Broadcast

Now for the exciting part – sending your first broadcast!

Create Your Broadcast

1. Visit the broadcasts page
2. Click "Create Broadcast"
3. Fill in your campaign details:
   • Subject line: Make it compelling and clear
   • From name: Use your brand or personal name
   • Template: Select your designed template
   • Audience: Choose your target audience

Testing Before Sending

Always send a test email first:

1. Click "Send Test Email"
2. Enter your email address
3. Check formatting, links, and personalization
4. Make any necessary adjustments

Understanding Email Warm-up

Here's something crucial that sets SelfMailKit apart: automatic domain warm-up.

If your domain is new, SelfMailKit gradually increases your sending volume to build reputation with email providers:

How it works:

• Day 1: Send 50 emails
• Day 2: Send 100 emails
• Day 3: Send 200 emails
• And so on...

This process can take 15-30 days for large lists, but it's essential for good deliverability.

Advanced Tip: If you're migrating from another email service and your domain is already warmed up, you can disable warm-up in your domain settings. Be cautious – sending too many emails from an unwarmed domain can hurt your reputation.

Sending Your Broadcast

Once you're satisfied with your test:

1. Review all details one final time
2. Click "Send Now" for immediate delivery
3. Or schedule it for optimal timing

Analyzing Your Results

After sending, monitor your campaign performance:

• Delivery rate: How many emails were successfully delivered
• Open rate: Percentage of recipients who opened your email
• Click rate: How many people clicked your links
• Unsubscribe rate: Monitor this to gauge content relevance

Visit the emails page for detailed analytics on each campaign.

Want to maximize your email deliverability? Follow our comprehensive email delivery best practices guide to ensure your messages reach the inbox every time. And to understand what makes SelfMailKit different from other email platforms, read our detailed analysis: Why SelfMailKit.com is different.