Email marketing is one of the few digital channels that still delivers consistent ROI, even as algorithms and paid ads change every year. But the truth is simple: tools don’t make money — proper setup and execution do.
I’ve used Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) since its early days, both for my own projects and for clients who needed something reliable, affordable, and scalable. If you’re new to Brevo and want to launch your first real email campaign, this guide will walk you through the process step by step — without fluff, confusion, or technical jargon.
This tutorial is written specifically for beginners, but it’s structured in a way that follows best practices I’ve refined over 10+ years in email marketing.
Why Brevo Is a Good Choice for Your First Email Campaign
Before diving into the steps, it’s important to understand why Brevo is beginner-friendly.
Brevo stands out because it:
- Doesn’t limit contacts on the free plan
- Uses a clean, intuitive dashboard
- Focuses on deliverability over gimmicks
- Includes CRM and automation even at entry level
For beginners, this means fewer mistakes and a smoother learning curve.
What You Need Before Creating Your First Campaign
Before you touch the campaign builder, make sure you have these basics in place:
Checklist
- A verified Brevo account
- At least one email address verified as sender
- A small list of contacts (even 5–10 is enough)
- A clear goal for your email
Your goal might be:
- Welcoming new subscribers
- Announcing a blog post
- Promoting a product or service
- Sharing valuable content
Never send an email without a goal. That’s the fastest way to get ignored.
Step 1: Log In and Understand the Brevo Dashboard
When you log into Brevo, you’ll see a dashboard with several sections:
- Campaigns
- Contacts
- Automation
- Conversations
- Transactional
As a beginner, your focus will be on Campaigns and Contacts.
👉 Click “Campaigns” → “Email Campaigns”
This is where all your newsletters and broadcasts live.
Step 2: Create a New Email Campaign
Click the “Create Campaign” button and choose:
➡ Email Campaign
You’ll be asked to:
- Name your campaign (internal only)
- Select the campaign type
Pro Tip
Use clear internal names like:
- “Welcome Email – Blog”
- “Product Launch – June”
- “Weekly Newsletter – Week 1”
This helps later when you analyze results.
Step 3: Set Up Sender Details (Very Important)
This step directly affects deliverability.
You’ll need to choose:
- Sender name (what subscribers see)
- Sender email address
- Reply-to email
Best Practices from Experience
- Use a real name or brand name
- Avoid “no-reply@”
- Use a domain email if possible
Example:
From: Adzora Marketing
Email: hello@adzora.online
This builds trust and improves open rates.
Step 4: Write a Strong Subject Line (Don’t Rush This)
Your subject line determines whether your email gets opened or ignored.
Brevo Tip
Brevo shows a subject line preview — use it.
Beginner Subject Line Frameworks
- Curiosity-based: “I made a mistake with email marketing…”
- Benefit-based: “How to get more leads without ads”
- Direct: “New guide: Email marketing for beginners”
Avoid:
- ALL CAPS
- Spam words (free money, guarantee, urgent)
- Misleading clickbait
Your first goal is opens, not sales.
Step 5: Choose an Email Design Method
Brevo offers three options:
- Drag & Drop Editor
- Rich Text Editor
- Custom HTML
For beginners, choose Drag & Drop Editor.
It’s:
- Visual
- Mobile responsive
- Hard to break
Step 6: Design Your First Email (Simple Wins)
When beginners fail, it’s usually because they overdesign.
Recommended Structure for First Campaign
- Short greeting
- Clear main message
- One call-to-action
- Simple sign-off
Example Layout
- Text block (intro)
- Image (optional)
- Button or text link
- Footer
Real Advice
Plain emails often perform better than heavily designed ones. Brevo’s editor lets you keep it clean — use that advantage.
Step 7: Add Personalization (Even Basic Helps)
Brevo allows basic personalization like:
- First name
- Last name
Example:
“Hi {{contact.FIRSTNAME}},
Thanks for joining my email list…”
Even simple personalization increases engagement when used naturally.
Step 8: Choose the Right Audience
Now you’ll select who receives your email.
You can send to:
- All contacts
- A specific list
- A segment
Beginner Tip
Create one main list like:
“Website Subscribers”
As you grow, segmentation becomes more powerful — but don’t overcomplicate early.
Step 9: Preview & Test Your Email
Never skip this step.
Use:
- Preview mode
- Send test email
Check:
- Mobile layout
- Broken links
- Typos
- Subject line preview
I’ve seen campaigns fail simply because links didn’t work.
Step 10: Schedule or Send Immediately
Brevo lets you:
- Send immediately
- Schedule for later
Best Time for Beginners
- Tuesday–Thursday
- Morning (local time)
Once you have data, you’ll optimize timing.
Step 11: Understand Brevo Campaign Analytics
After sending, Brevo provides clear metrics:
- Open rate
- Click rate
- Bounce rate
- Unsubscribes
What to Watch First
Ignore vanity metrics early.
Focus on:
- Opens → Subject line quality
- Clicks → Message clarity
Consistency matters more than perfection.
Common Beginner Mistakes (Avoid These)
From real experience, beginners often:
- Send too many links
- Write long, unfocused emails
- Ignore mobile design
- Send without warming up domain
- Try to sell immediately
Your first campaigns should build trust, not pressure sales.
Best First Email Campaign Ideas
If you’re unsure what to send, start with:
- Welcome email
- “Here’s what you’ll get from me”
- Best content roundup
- Personal story + lesson
- Free resource delivery
Brevo handles all of these smoothly.
How Brevo Helps Beginners Compared to Other Tools
| Feature | Brevo | Many Competitors |
|---|---|---|
| Unlimited Contacts | Yes | No |
| Free Daily Emails | Yes | Limited |
| Simple UI | Yes | Often cluttered |
| CRM Included | Yes | Paid add-on |
| Beginner Friendly | Very | Mixed |
Brevo removes many early barriers.
When to Move Beyond Basic Campaigns
Once you’re comfortable, you can explore:
- Automation workflows
- Segmentation
- A/B testing (paid plans)
- Behavioral triggers
But your first campaign should stay simple.
Final Thoughts: Your First Brevo Campaign Matters
Your first email campaign doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to be:
- Sent
- Relevant
- Honest
Brevo gives beginners a safe environment to learn without financial pressure. Used correctly, it can grow with you from your first subscriber to thousands.
If you master the basics outlined here, you’re already ahead of most beginners.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. How do I create my first email campaign in Brevo?
To create your first email campaign in Brevo, log into your account, go to Campaigns → Email Campaigns → Create Campaign, set your sender details, choose a subject line, design your email using the drag-and-drop editor, select your audience, and then preview, test, and send or schedule your campaign.
2. Can beginners use Brevo without technical skills?
Yes. Brevo is beginner-friendly with an intuitive dashboard, drag-and-drop email editor, pre-designed templates, and basic automation. Even without technical skills, you can set up a fully functional email campaign and start sending emails in minutes.
3. What is the best way to design my first Brevo email campaign?
Keep it simple: use a short greeting, clear main message, one call-to-action, and a clean footer. Use Brevo’s mobile-responsive templates and optionally personalize emails with the subscriber’s first name to increase engagement.
4. How do I test my email before sending in Brevo?
Brevo allows you to send a test email and preview the campaign on both desktop and mobile. Testing ensures that links, formatting, and images display correctly, and helps prevent errors before sending to your entire list.
5. Can I use Brevo’s free plan to send my first campaign?
Yes. Brevo’s free plan lets you send up to 300 emails per day to unlimited contacts, use pre-designed templates, drag-and-drop editor, basic automation, and CRM features — making it perfect for beginners creating their first email campaign.