Why I Wanted to Talk About Email Marketing Now
I’m Kate, host of the Simple Pin Podcast, and lately I’ve been thinking a lot about email marketing as we head into 2026. The online business world is changing fast, with AI, shifting algorithms, and constant noise competing for attention. I wanted to have an honest conversation about whether email is still worth the effort or if it’s slowly becoming obsolete. That’s why I sat down with Matt Molen, someone who has spent decades working with small businesses and email marketing and has seen every version of “email is dead” come and go. I wanted real talk, not hype, from someone who’s been in the trenches.
Related: How to Convert Email Leads from Pinterest
The Real Role Email Still Plays
What stood out most in our conversation is that email is not just alive, it’s still one of the most powerful ways to communicate with an audience. Unlike social platforms where your content may or may not be shown, email lets you reach people who have intentionally raised their hand and said they want to hear from you. Matt reminded me that email isn’t about perfection, fancy design, or sending the perfect newsletter. It’s about solving problems and providing value. When you do that, email stops feeling spammy and starts feeling useful. Sending, as Matt put it, is serving.
Why This Matters More in 2026
This conversation couldn’t be more timely. As AI reshapes search, content discovery, and even how people get answers online, email is becoming an anchor. Matt shared that many creators are now seeing more traffic and engagement from email than they ever did from SEO alone. The common response he hears is, “I wish I had started this years ago.” Whether you have ten thousand page views or ten million, the activities that build a strong email strategy are the same. The difference is simply how much leverage you get from them over time.
Related: How to Grow Your Email List Using Pinterest
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Meeting People Where They Already Are
Email works because it fits naturally into people’s lives. Everyone uses it, even younger generations who often manage multiple email addresses for different purposes. Compared to SMS, which feels intrusive and all or nothing, email gives readers control over when and how they engage. We also talked a lot about where opt ins work best, and the takeaway was simple. Nail the hook. Whether it’s a popup, a form, or a simple text opt in, it should directly connect to why someone is already on your site or consuming your content. People don’t want “never miss an update.” They want help with the exact problem they’re thinking about right now.
Why I Still Believe Email Is Worth It
At the end of the day, email is about connection and trust. It’s where your voice can live consistently, without fighting algorithms or trends. We talked about unsubscribes, writing anxiety, and even the fear of using AI, and the answer kept coming back to the same idea. Be present. Solve problems. Let go of the people who aren’t a fit. Email doesn’t need to be perfect, polished, or long. It just needs to be human. For me, email has always been a centering point in my business, a place to think clearly and connect directly with my audience. After this conversation, I’m more convinced than ever that email isn’t a cost center. It’s a profit center, a brand builder, and one of the smartest long term investments you can make as we move into 2026.
For More Pinterest Marketing Resources:
Shop: Grow Your Email List Using Pinterest Workbook
Watch: Email Growth on Pinterest
You can find this podcast episode by going to Apple or Spotify.
