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Hi Reader,

Let me guess—you’re finally ready to get serious about building a list. (Cue confetti!) You're thinking about how to get your message out there consistently, and you're wondering:

Do I start an email list from scratch? Or do I launch a LinkedIn newsletter and ride the algorithm wave?

Friend, I’ve been there. I’ve weighed this same decision with clients in real estate, finance, law, coaching, consulting—you name it. We’re all asking the same thing:

Where do I begin? What’s the best place to publish?

So let’s break it down, Judi 411-style.

Option 1: Build Your Own Email List

PRO: You own the list.
​This is the golden rule of email marketing, and it's been true since the days of AOL and dial-up.
When people give you their email address, they are saying yes to hearing from you. You control when you show up, what you say, and how you segment. No algorithm decides whether your content is “worthy” enough to be seen. That’s power. That’s protection. That’s peace of mind.

CON: It takes time.
​Building a list from scratch is not for the faint of heart. It’s the long game. You need a sign-up incentive (lead magnet), a landing page, and a welcome sequence. And even then? You might feel like you’re shouting into the void for a while.

But—and this is a big but—it’s your void. And your people will come.

Option 2: Launch a LinkedIn Newsletter

PRO: Instant visibility.
​When you launch a LinkedIn newsletter, it goes out to all your connections and followers as an invitation to subscribe. That’s a huge opportunity—especially if you’ve been building your LinkedIn network with intention.

With one well-written post, you can get hundreds of subscribers overnight. And every time you publish? LinkedIn sends it to their inbox and gives it some algorithmic love in the feed.

CON: You don’t own the list.
​This is the catch. If LinkedIn decides to retire the newsletter feature (or hide it behind a paywall, or charge you to message your people—hi, Facebook), you have no control. The platform owns the audience.
That’s the risk. You’re essentially renting the space.

Final Word from the Inbox Queen

If I had to choose one place where I most want to land? It’s someone’s inbox. Not because I’m obsessed with list ownership (though, yes, I get the appeal), but because that’s where real connection happens. That’s where relationships are built. That’s where sales happen. That’s where trust lives.

And if LinkedIn offers me another route into that inbox—another chance to share a message I believe in with someone who might need to hear it? Then yes, I’m pressing publish there, too. Because at the end of the day, I care less about owning the list and more about earning the relationship.

I’m pressing publish in both places—and encouraging you to do the same.

Need help figuring out what to say on your list?

Or what kind of content will keep people opening, clicking, and thinking “Damn, ths person gets me”?

I’ve got thoughts. And services. And opinions.

Let’s talk. Email me or DM me on LinkedIn. Both will lead you to me.

Best,