How to Use MailsLead: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

Introduction

Welcome to MailsLead! If you're new to email marketing or switching from another platform, you're in the right place. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to send your first email campaign—no technical knowledge required.

Think of MailsLead as your personal email assistant. It helps you organize your contacts, create beautiful emails, and send them to the right people at the right time. Let's get started!

Step 1: Creating Your Account

Sign Up for Free

1. Visit MailsLead.com
   • Go to www.mailslead.com
   • Look for the big blue "Get Started" or "Sign Up" button
   • Click it!
2. Choose Your Sign-Up Method

   You have two options:

   Option A: Google Sign-In (Easiest)

   • Click "Continue with Google"
   • Choose your Google account
   • That's it! You're in.

   Option B: Email & Password (Coming Soon)

   • Enter your email address (e.g., yourname@yourbusiness.com)
   • Create a strong password (at least 8 characters with numbers and symbols)
   • Click "Create Account"
   • Check your email for a verification link
   • Click the link to verify your account
3. Welcome Screen
   • After signing in, you'll see a welcome screen
   • This is your dashboard—your home base for everything

Step 2: Setting Up Your Email Configuration

This is the most important step! Think of it like connecting your mailbox so MailsLead can send emails on your behalf.

Why Do You Need This?

When you send emails, they need to come FROM your email address (like hello@yourbusiness.com), not from MailsLead. To do this, you need to connect your email account.

Where to Find Your Settings

1. Click on "Settings" in the left sidebar (it looks like a gear icon ⚙️)
2. Look for the "SMTP Settings" section
3. Click "Add New SMTP" or "Configure SMTP"

Configuration for Different Email Providers

Option 1: GoDaddy Email (Workspace Email)

If you bought your domain from GoDaddy and use their email:

Example:

• Host: smtpout.secureserver.net
• Port: 465
• Username: hello@myshop.com
• Password: YourGoDaddyEmailPassword123

Important Notes:

• ✅ Use your FULL email address as username
• ✅ Enable SSL (it's a security thing)
• ✅ Use port 465 (not 587)

Option 2: Namecheap Private Email

If you use Namecheap's private email service:

Option 3: Gmail (Google Workspace)

If you use Gmail for business:

Testing Your Connection

After entering all the details:

1. Click "Test Connection" button
2. Wait 5-10 seconds
3. You should see "✅ Connection Successful!"
4. If it fails, double-check:
   • Is your email address spelled correctly?
   • Is your password correct?
   • Did you use the right port number?
   • Is SSL/TLS enabled?
5. Click "Save" once the test succeeds

Step 3: Creating Your First Email List

Think of email lists like folders where you organize your contacts. For example:

• "Newsletter Subscribers" – People who want weekly updates
• "Customers" – People who bought from you
• "VIP Members" – Your most engaged fans
• "Product Launch" – People interested in new releases

How to Create a List

1. Navigate to Lists
   • Click "Lists" in the left sidebar
   • You'll see a page that says "Your Lists"
2. Create New List
   • Click the "+ Create New List" button (top right)
   • A popup will appear
3. Fill in List Details

   List Name (Required)

   • Enter a clear, descriptive name
   • Good examples: "Newsletter Subscribers", "VIP Customers", "Blog Readers"
   • Bad examples: "List1", "Test", "Misc"

   Description (Optional but recommended)

   • Write what this list is for
   • Example: "People who signed up for our weekly newsletter"
   • This helps you remember later!
4. Save Your List
   • Click "Create List"
   • Your new list appears! 🎉

Step 4: Adding Subscribers to Your List

Now that you have a list, let's add people to it!

Method 1: Add Individual Subscribers (One at a Time)

Perfect for adding a few people manually.

1. Go to Subscribers
   • Click "Subscribers" in the left sidebar
   • Click "+ Add Subscriber" button
2. Enter Subscriber Information

   Email Address (Required)

   • Type the person's email: john@example.com
   • Make sure there are no typos!

   Name (Recommended)

   • Enter their first name: "John"
   • Or full name: "John Smith"
   • This makes emails personal: "Hi John!" instead of "Hi there!"

   Select Lists

   • Check the box next to the lists you want to add them to
   • You can add them to multiple lists at once!
3. Save Subscriber
   • Click "Add Subscriber"
   • Done! They're now in your list.

Method 2: Import Multiple Subscribers (Bulk Upload)

Perfect for adding many people at once.

Step A: Prepare Your File

1. Use Excel or Google Sheets
2. Create columns: email, name, company, etc.
3. Fill in your data
4. Save as CSV

Step B: Upload to MailsLead

1. Go to "Subscribers" → "Import"
2. Click "Choose File" or drag-and-drop your CSV
3. Map your CSV columns to MailsLead fields
4. Choose which list to add subscribers to
5. Click "Import Subscribers"
6. Wait for completion: "✅ Successfully imported 150 subscribers!"

Step 5: Creating Your First Email Campaign

This is the exciting part—creating and sending your email!

Campaign Setup

1. Navigate to Campaigns
   • Click "Campaigns" in the left sidebar
   • Click "+ New Campaign" button (top right)
2. Campaign Tab: Basic Information

   Campaign Name (Internal only—subscribers won't see this)

   • Example: "January 2026 Newsletter"
   • Example: "Winter Sale Announcement"
   • This helps YOU organize your campaigns

   Subject Line (What subscribers see in their inbox)

   • Keep it short and catchy (under 50 characters is best)
   • ✅ Good: "🎉 50% Off This Week Only!"
   • ✅ Good: "Your January Newsletter is Here"
   • ❌ Bad: "Email about stuff"

   From Email

   • Use the same email you configured in SMTP settings
   • Example: hello@yourbusiness.com

   Select Lists

   • Check the boxes next to the lists you want to send to
   • You can select multiple lists!

Content Tab: Design Your Email

Now comes the fun part—writing your email!

1. Choose Your Format

   Click on the "Content" tab. You'll see format options:

   • Rich Text (Recommended for beginners!) – Like Microsoft Word
   • Visual Editor – Drag & drop blocks
   • Plain Text – Simple text only
   • Raw HTML – For developers
   • Markdown – For bloggers
2. ✨ NEW FEATURE: Generate Email with AI 🚀

   Don't know what to write? Let AI help you!

   • Look for the blue "✨ Generate Email" button
   • Click it to open the AI wizard
   • Answer a few questions:
     • What type of email? (Newsletter, Welcome, Discount, etc.)
     • What's your goal?
     • What tone? (Friendly, Professional, Casual)
     • How long? (Short, Medium, Long)
   • Click "Generate Email"
   • Wait 10-15 seconds ⏳
   • AI creates a complete email for you!
   • Edit it however you like
   • Perfect for getting started quickly!
3. Preview Your Email
   • Click "📋 Preview" button
   • See exactly what subscribers will receive
   • Check for typos and mistakes

Step 6: Testing Before Sending

NEVER skip this step! Always test your email first.

1. Go back to "Campaign" tab
2. Look for "Send Test Email" section
3. Enter YOUR email address
4. Click "Send Test"
5. Check your inbox in 1-2 minutes

What to Check in Your Test Email:

• ✅ Subject line looks good?
• ✅ From name/email correct?
• ✅ All images loaded?
• ✅ All links work when clicked?
• ✅ Text is formatted correctly?
• ✅ No typos or mistakes?
• ✅ Looks good on mobile phone?

Step 7: Sending Your Campaign

You've set everything up, tested it, and you're ready to go!

Final Pre-Send Checklist

• ☐ Subject line is compelling
• ☐ From email is correct
• ☐ Correct lists are selected
• ☐ Email content is perfect
• ☐ All links work
• ☐ Images load properly
• ☐ Test email looked great
• ☐ You're proud of this email!

Ready? Let's Send!

1. Click "💾 Save" button (top right)
2. Click "▶️ Start" button (next to Save)
3. A confirmation popup appears
4. Click "Yes, Start Campaign"
5. MailsLead begins sending immediately

Step 8: Tracking Results & Analytics

After sending, you want to know: "Did it work?"

Key Metrics to Watch

• 📊 Delivery Rate
  • What it means: % of emails that reached inboxes
  • Good: 95-99%
• 📖 Open Rate
  • What it means: % of people who opened your email
  • Good: 20-30%
  • Great: 30-40%
  • Amazing: 40%+
• 🖱️ Click Rate
  • What it means: % of people who clicked links
  • Good: 2-5%
  • Great: 5-10%
  • Amazing: 10%+

Best Practices & Tips for Success

Subject Lines:

• ✅ Keep it under 50 characters
• ✅ Use emojis sparingly (1-2 max) 🎉
• ✅ Create curiosity: "You won't believe this..."
• ✅ Use numbers: "5 Ways to..." "Top 10..."
• ❌ Don't use ALL CAPS
• ❌ Don't use excessive punctuation!!!

Email Body:

• ✅ Get to the point quickly
• ✅ Use short paragraphs (2-3 sentences max)
• ✅ Include images to break up text
• ✅ Add one clear call-to-action (CTA)
• ✅ Make important text bold
• ❌ Don't write essays—keep it scannable

Timing:

• 📅 Best days: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
• ⏰ Best times: 9-11 AM or 2-4 PM
• 📊 Test different times for your audience
• 🌍 Consider time zones

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not Testing Before Sending – Always send test emails first
2. Wrong From Email – Don't use noreply@ addresses
3. Buying Email Lists – Only email people who opted in
4. No Unsubscribe Link – Always include an easy way to unsubscribe
5. Too Many Emails – Don't email daily
6. All Promotional Content – Follow the 80/20 rule (80% value, 20% promotion)
7. Not Mobile-Friendly – 60% of people read on phones
8. Ignoring Analytics – Review results after every campaign

Troubleshooting Common Issues

"My emails aren't sending!"

Possible causes:

• SMTP settings incorrect – Double-check host, port, username, password
• Email list is empty – Make sure you selected lists with subscribers
• Account suspended – Check for payment issues

Fix: Go to Settings → SMTP → Test Connection

"Emails go to spam!"

Possible causes:

• Poor sender reputation (new account)
• Spam-trigger words in subject/content
• No unsubscribe link
• High bounce rate

Fix:

• Warm up your sending (start small, increase gradually)
• Avoid spam words: "FREE", "CLICK NOW", "URGENT"
• Always include unsubscribe link
• Only email people who opted in

"Low open rates"

Possible causes:

• Bad subject lines
• Wrong send time
• Sending too frequently

Fix:

• Write better subject lines (test different styles)
• Test different send times
• Send less frequently but higher quality

Next Steps

Congratulations! You now know how to:

• ✅ Set up your MailsLead account
• ✅ Configure email settings (SMTP)
• ✅ Create and manage email lists
• ✅ Add subscribers manually or in bulk
• ✅ Create beautiful email campaigns
• ✅ Use AI to generate emails
• ✅ Test and send campaigns
• ✅ Track results and analytics

Your Action Plan

This Week:

1. Set up your SMTP settings
2. Create your first 2-3 lists
3. Add at least 10 subscribers
4. Send your first test campaign to yourself

Next Week:

1. Import more subscribers
2. Send your first real campaign
3. Review analytics
4. Make improvements based on data

This Month:

1. Establish regular sending schedule
2. Grow your list
3. Segment your audience
4. Test different content types
5. Use AI to speed up content creation

Final Thoughts

Email marketing is a journey, not a destination. Start simple, learn from your results, and keep improving. Don't try to be perfect—just get started!

Remember:

• 📧 Quality over quantity
• 🎯 Value over promotion
• 📊 Data over guesswork
• 🚀 Progress over perfection

The most important step is the first one. You've got this!

Last updated: January 10, 2025