How to Send a Newsletter via Google Email (Gmail)

Sending newsletters through Gmail is a convenient option for small businesses, content creators, or personal use. While Gmail is not designed specifically for bulk email marketing, you can still leverage it effectively with some techniques and tools. In this post, we’ll walk you through the best methods for sending newsletters via Google Email, from simple manual methods to more professional options.

Option 1: Send a Newsletter Using Mail Merge in Gmail

If you want to send personalized newsletters to your email list, using a mail merge tool is your best bet.

It allows you to send bulk emails while keeping them personalized for each recipient.

Steps to Use Mail Merge for Newsletters:

Prepare Your Email List:
- First, create a Google Sheet containing the email addresses of your recipients. You can also add additional columns for personalization, such as the recipient’s name or company.
Install a Mail Merge Add-On:
- Go to your Google Sheet and click on Extensions → Add-ons → Get Add-ons.
- Search for and install a tool like:
  - Yet Another Mail Merge (YAMM): This tool offers free usage for up to 50 emails per day, with paid plans for higher limits.
  - Mailmeteor: Another great tool for Gmail users, offering free usage for small email lists.
  - Gmass: A paid service but very robust, designed for larger campaigns.
Compose Your Email in Gmail:
- Write your newsletter email in Gmail and include placeholders like {{First Name}} to personalize each email. Ensure that your message is formatted and visually appealing.
Run the Mail Merge:
- Go back to your Google Sheet, link it to the mail merge tool, and send the emails. Each recipient will receive their personalized newsletter.

Pros of Using Mail Merge:

Personalization: You can customize emails with personalized fields like names and company names.
Efficient: Automates the process of sending multiple emails.

Cons of Using Mail Merge:

Gmail’s limits: You can only send up to 500 emails/day (personal Gmail) or 2,000 emails/day (Google Workspace).

Option 2: Manually Send Newsletters Using BCC (For Smaller Lists)

If your email list is relatively small, you can manually send a newsletter by using BCC (Blind Carbon Copy). This ensures that recipients cannot see each other’s email addresses, keeping everything professional and private.

Steps to Send Newsletters Manually Using BCC:

Open Gmail and click on Compose to start a new email.
In the BCC field, add all recipient email addresses (instead of using CC, which would expose email addresses).
Write the content of your newsletter in the body of the email. Make sure it is formatted well and includes all the information you want to share.
Optionally, add your own email address in the To field, or leave it empty.
Send the email.

Important Notes:

Gmail’s Daily Limit: Gmail allows you to send only 500 emails/day for personal accounts and 2,000 emails/day for Google Workspace accounts.
Unsubscribe Option: Make sure you add an unsubscribe link or a way for recipients to opt-out if they no longer want to receive your emails.

Pros:

Free and simple.
Great for small email lists.

Cons:

Limited to Gmail’s daily sending limits.
Time-consuming and difficult to scale for large lists.

Option 3: Use Gmail with Third-Party Email Marketing Tools

For larger campaigns, Gmail alone won’t be enough. You’ll need to use an email marketing service to manage your newsletters efficiently, avoid Gmail’s sending limits, and access better analytics.

Popular Tools for Sending Newsletters:

Mailchimp: Free for up to 500 subscribers and 1,000 emails/month. Ideal for those just starting out with email marketing.
Sendinblue: Free for up to 300 emails/day. Offers advanced email automation and analytics.
MailerLite: Free for up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails/month.
Gmass: Works directly with Gmail for sending bulk emails without violating Gmail’s limits.

Steps to Use Third-Party Tools:

Sign up for an email marketing service like Mailchimp or Sendinblue.
Import your email list (you can easily upload CSV files or sync from Google Contacts).
Design your newsletter using their drag-and-drop editor.
If using Gmail’s SMTP server, configure it to send through Gmail, or use the service’s own email sending infrastructure.
Send the newsletter to your subscribers.

Benefits of Using Third-Party Tools:

No Daily Limits: Send emails to thousands of subscribers without hitting Gmail’s limits.
Analytics: Track open rates, click-through rates, and other key metrics.
Automation: Set up automated campaigns to nurture leads and send follow-up emails.

Best Practices for Sending Newsletters via Gmail

Avoid Spam Filters:
- Personalize your emails to reduce the chance of being marked as spam.
- Avoid using spammy phrases like “FREE” or “LIMITED OFFER” in the subject line.
- Use a professional-looking sender name and email address.
Include an Unsubscribe Option:
- Include a clear and easy way for recipients to opt-out of receiving further emails. This could be a simple phrase like, “Reply with ‘Unsubscribe’ if you’d like to stop receiving emails.”
Respect Gmail’s Sending Limits:
- Don’t exceed the 500 emails/day limit for Gmail accounts. If your list grows larger, consider using a third-party tool.
Monitor Your Results:
- If you’re using a third-party tool, take advantage of the analytics to track how your emails are performing.

Conclusion

Sending newsletters via Gmail is possible, but for larger email lists or more professional campaigns, you’ll need to consider using a mail merge tool or a third-party email marketing service. These tools help you bypass Gmail’s sending limits, track performance, and ensure compliance with email marketing regulations.

If you’re just starting, using a service like Mailchimp or Sendinblue is a great way to streamline the process and make your newsletters look professional.

Would you like to learn more about setting up a Mailchimp account or using a mail merge tool in Google Sheets? Let us know in the comments!