Most artists focus on growing their email list—but what if the real power comes from trimming it?

In this solo episode of The Art Biz, host Alyson Stanfield walks you through why and how to clean your email list. This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about improving deliverability rates, boosting engagement, and building trust with the people who are actually listening.

If you want to email with more confidence—and stop second-guessing who’s on the other end—this episode is for you.

IN THIS EPISODE

• Why list hygiene is essential for deliverability and visibility
• How neglecting your list hurts your confidence and metrics
• A 5-step process to clean your list (without panicking)
• Why this matters more than ever with changes to email deliverability
• A mindset shift: You’re not deleting people—you’re making space
• How this ties into the upcoming Followers to Collectors planning workshop

00:32 Why email list hygiene often gets overlooked but is critical for your marketing

01:49 The emotional impact of sending emails to people who aren't engaging

03:04 How deliverability is changing and why this matters now more than ever

04:47 What happens when you keep inactive contacts on your list

05:53 Garden metaphor: pruning your list is thoughtful, not ruthless

06:58 Signs it’s time to clean: analytics, hesitation, and confidence dips

07:54 Step-by-step process to clean your list (starting with segmentation)

11:12 Why a smaller list can be more energizing

11:44 How cleaning your list connects to the Followers to Collectors workshop

12:45 Your action step this week and how refreshing your list brings clarity

 

🎧 RELATED EPISODES

The artists in these episodes discuss successful use of their email lists:

She Knows Exactly How Much Her Art Income Will be with Kelly Pelfrey (162)

Self Sales, Open Studios, and Relationships with Interior Designers with Carol MacConnell (171)

Increasing Art Sales with Online Events with Patricia Griffin (97)

Producing a Monthly Digital Magazine with Alyson Sheldrake (199)

📖 To read more, see images, find resources mentioned, and leave a comment, visit https://artbizsuccess.com/clean-email-list

 

📥 RESOURCES MENTIONED

Planning Workshop:

Followers to Collectors – September 9–10

Essentials for Artist Success:

Ongoing coaching, support, and training

 

⛰️ The Art Biz is recorded on the traditional land of the Cheyenne, Arapaho and Ute tribes.

~ ~ ! ATTENTION INDIGENOUS ARTISTS and BIPOC ARTISTS ! ~ ~

This is an invitation to all Indigenous and BIPOC artists, wherever you are in the world, to share your story here on The Art Biz. Here’s how ~~~~> https://artbizsuccess.com/pitch-podcast/