If you haven’t emailed your list in a while, you’re not alone. Life happens, projects pile up, and before you know it, months have passed without hitting send. The good news? It’s not too late to reconnect with your subscribers—and it’s easier than you think!
How long has it been?
Less than a month?
You’re in the clear. Just continue with your regular content. No need to explain yourself—your subscribers likely won’t notice the gap. If this feels uncomfortable, add a single line at the top of your email, offset from your usual content.
1-3 months?
A little longer, but no need to panic. Send a quick apology email and share something valuable to remind them why they signed up. Bonus points if you repurpose content that’s already performed well.
3-6 months?
You’ll need a bit more strategy. Start by cleaning and validating your list, checking your email authentication, and sending a re-permission email to those who haven’t engaged in a while.
Step-by-step
Less than a month
- Send your regular content
Don’t overthink it—just pick up where you left off. Your audience will appreciate the consistency and value you provide.
If it's been 1-3 months
- Send an apology email with value
Subject line idea: “Sorry for the silence—here’s something useful!”
Briefly acknowledge the gap, then offer something valuable, like a repurposed blog post, resource, or tip.
If it's been 3-6 months
- Clean and validate your list
- Check your email authentication
- Send a re-permission email
Clean and validate: remove inactive subscribers and validate your list using tools like our favorite Kickbox (aff) or ZeroBounce (aff).
Authentication: Make sure your SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records are set up properly. Our DMARC DIY guide can help you through this process.
Re-permission email:
Subject line idea: “Still want to hear from me? Let me know!”
Ask subscribers to confirm if they want to stay on your list and offer a small freebie to re-engage them.
If it's been over 6 months
Follow the steps in 3-6 months checklist, but start slow, stagger your sending, and monitor your results closely.
Moving forward
Keep it simple!
Getting back into the rhythm of emailing can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Start with what you already have! Repurposing is your best friend—look at past content that performed well, refresh it, and send it out.
And if you’re feeling stuck, check out Liz Wilcox’s Email Marketing Membership (aff), where you'll get a weekly email template to inspire you and much more. It’s been a huge help, and there’s a fantastic Facebook group (where I hang out too!) if you need extra support or inspiration.
Final thoughts
Just hit Send
The biggest barrier is often getting started again. Whether it’s been a few weeks or several months, just take that first step. Send the email, even if it’s not perfect. Once you get back into the groove, it will feel much easier.