When promoting your business, event, or nonprofit, email is one of the best tools at your disposal. But sending a basic email with a PDF attachment? That might be doing more harm than good.
Email Platforms = Smarter Promotion
Using platforms like Mailchimp, Constant Contact, MailerLite, or ConvertKit gives your emails a professional edge — and helps them actually get seen.
Here’s why they’re worth considering:
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Higher deliverability: These platforms are built to avoid spam filters and keep you out of the junk folder.
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No attachments needed: Instead of attaching a PDF (which may trigger spam), you can link to a branded, mobile-friendly landing page or embedded content.
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Visual appeal: Drag-and-drop editors make your emails look polished without needing a designer.
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Track performance: See who opened your email, who clicked, and what worked.
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Easy compliance: Most platforms automatically handle unsubscribe links and privacy regulations.
Why PDFs Can Hurt Your Email
Many people attach PDFs to share details, but here’s why that’s risky:
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Spam filters often flag attachments, especially from unknown senders
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Mobile users may not open PDFs — they want quick, scrollable content
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Attachments slow down load times and can make emails feel clunky
Instead, use a platform to link to the PDF online (via your website, Dropbox, or Google Drive), or better yet, turn the content into part of your email body.
Here are some possible solutions to promote and track email campaigns:
1. Mailchimp
Best for: Beginners and small businesses
- Easy drag-and-drop editor
- Free plan available (up to 500 contacts)
- Templates and automation tools
- Built-in analytics
2. Constant Contact
Best for: Businesses wanting strong support
- Simple editor with lots of templates
- Great customer service
- Event marketing tools included
3. MailerLite
Best for: Cost-effective email marketing
- Clean, modern design
- Great automation features
- Free plan up to 1,000 subscribers
4. ConvertKit
Best for: Creators, bloggers, and coaches
- Built for email funnels
- Tagging and segmentation tools
- Free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers
5. Substack
Best for: Paid newsletters and content creators
- Super easy to use
- Monetization tools (paid subscriptions)
- No design needed — just write
6. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)
Best for: All-in-one marketing (email + SMS)
- Generous free tier (300 emails/day)
- Marketing automation
- Built-in CRM and SMS campaigns
7. HubSpot Email Marketing
Best for: Businesses already using HubSpot CRM
- Deep integration with CRM
- Great for lead nurturing
- Free for basic use
If you’re just starting out and want something simple and free, Mailchimp or MailerLite are great. If you’re building a personal brand or monetized newsletter, ConvertKit or Substack might be a better fit.
