What Is an Email Blast? (+ How To Do It Right)

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An email blast is a mass email sent to a large group of recipients at once. Businesses use them to share announcements, promotions, or updates with their audience.

When done right, an email blast can increase engagement and bring in sales. But if you don’t pay attention to timing, content, and targeting, it can feel like just another junk email in someone’s inbox.

I’ve sent email blasts that got amazing open rates and others that barely got any clicks. The difference? How well I planned the message and targeted the audience.

How Email Blasts Work
Email Blasts vs. Email Campaigns
How to Send an Email Blast With WordPress
Examples of Email Blasts
Common Misconceptions
Best Practices for Effective Email Blasts

What Is an Email Blast?

An email blast is exactly what it sounds like. A single email sent to a large group of recipients at the same time. Unlike a targeted email campaign, which is carefully personalized for specific segments, an email blast sends the same message to everyone on your list.

Email blasts are commonly used for announcements, promotions, or urgent updates. They work best when you need to reach a wide audience quickly, but if they’re not done correctly, they can feel impersonal, overwhelming, or even spammy.

Marketing Emails vs Transactional Emails

Email blasts fall under the category of marketing emails and are usually sent from dedicated marketing platforms like Drip.

On the other hand, if you’re sending transactional emails and running a WordPress site, you’ll require a plugin like WP Mail SMTP.

It ensures your emails are sent using proper authentication, which reduces the chances of them being flagged as spam.

How Email Blasts Work

The process of sending an email blast is simple. You create one message, select your audience, and hit send. The goal is usually to get information out fast, whether it’s a flash sale, a company update, or a newsletter.

Unlike drip campaigns, where emails are sent over time based on user behavior, email blasts go out all at once. This makes them great for timely announcements but also risky if the message isn’t well thought out.

Email Blasts vs. Email Campaigns

At first glance, email blasts and email campaigns might seem the same, but there’s a big difference in how they’re executed.

Email Blasts:
- Sent to a large audience all at once.
- The same content goes to every recipient.
- Best for announcements, major sales, or quick updates.

Email Campaigns:
- Sent to specific segments based on interests or behavior.
- Content is often personalized to make it more relevant.
- Best for nurturing leads, building customer relationships, and increasing conversions over time.

How to Send an Email Blast With WordPress

The built-in email system in WordPress isn’t designed for bulk emails, and relying on your web host’s mail server can lead to deliverability issues or even emails being flagged as spam.

Therefore, if you have a small list and want a simple way to send emails from WordPress, you can use an SMTP plugin like WP Mail SMTP to improve deliverability.

Instead of sending emails through your web host (which is unreliable), WP Mail SMTP connects your WordPress emails to a trusted SMTP mailer.

Mailers available in all versions	Mailers in WP Mail SMTP Pro
SendLayer	Amazon SES
SMTP.com	Microsoft 365 / Outlook.com
Brevo	Zoho Mail
Google Workspace / Gmail
Mailgun
Postmark
SendGrid
SparkPost
Other SMTP

Fix Your WordPress Emails Now

Once configured, I recommend using a dedicated email marketing plugin for email blasts. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) is a solid choice if you’re looking for a tool that works inside WordPress.

It lets you design and schedule email campaigns, segment your audience, and track performance, all without leaving your dashboard.

If you want to explore more bulk email options, check out this guide on the best bulk email plugins for WordPress for detailed comparisons and recommendations.

Examples of Email Blasts

An email blast works well when you need to get a message out fast. However, you must send them sparingly and ensure they provide real value. Some great examples include:

Urgent Updates

Sometimes, you need to get a message across fast, especially if there’s a service outage, security change, or policy update that directly impacts your users. This is where an urgent update email blast becomes essential.

The example email shared above is a great example of an effective urgent update. Let’s break down why it works and how it provides value to the recipient:

An urgent update email needs to be instantly recognizable in the inbox. The email example immediately tells the reader what the issue is, what it matters, and that a solution exists.
The email starts with a personalized greeting: “Hey Josh,”. Even though this is a mass email, adding a recipient’s name makes it feel targeted.
Rather than just alerting users to a problem, the email immediately offers a solution. It acknowledges the issue (Microsoft 365 / Outlook SMTP changes) and provides a clear fix.
The bold orange “Learn How to Fix It” button is impossible to miss. Urgent updates should always include a clear CTA that tells users exactly what to do next. A high-contrast button makes it easy for users to act quickly.
The final note at the bottom adds a reassuring tone: “If you’re using our 365 / Outlook mailer, you’re already set! No action is needed. 🎉” This prevents panic and confirms that some users don’t need to worry.

Flash Sale

A great limited-time sale email blast can drive quick action from your audience, especially when the offer is compelling and time-sensitive.

For instance, if you look at the example above, it effectively promotes a Cyber Monday extended sale for WP Mail SMTP. Here’s why it works:

The “Cyber Monday” branding immediately grabs attention, and the phrase “Your Second Chance for the Best Cyber Deal” makes readers feel like they’re getting an exclusive opportunity.
The bold, high-contrast “SAVE UP TO $150 ⚡” button stands out, making it clear how much users can save. The emoji adds energy, making it feel even more time-sensitive.
The section titled “Must-Have SMTP Features” reassures users that this isn’t just a random sale—it’s an opportunity to improve email deliverability.
The email highlights Email Logs and Tracking, a key feature of WP Mail SMTP, and explains why it matters. Instead of just saying “Get a discount,” it focuses on the problem it solves.

Company Announcements

Company announcement emails are a powerful way to keep your audience informed about new products, updates, or important changes.

An announcement email should be clear, engaging, and actionable. The goal is to help recipients quickly understand the update and why it matters to them.

The email above is an excellent example of an effective product announcement. Here’s why it works and how it delivers value:

The email starts with the reader’s name. This small touch makes the message feel less automated and more personal and helps boost trust in the brand.
The opening line paints a real-life scenario that helps the reader immediately relate: “Imagine this: you’re deep in conversation with your team on Discord…”
The email introduces a problem (missing critical email failure notifications). It then presents a simple, effective solution, WP Mail SMTP’s Discord Alerts.
The “READ FULL ANNOUNCEMENT” button is bold, attention-grabbing, and action-oriented. The CTA doesn’t use vague language and tells the reader exactly what they’ll get by clicking.

Common Misconceptions

There’s a lot of confusion surrounding email blasts, and I’ve seen people hesitate to use them because they believe they’re the same as spam.

That couldn’t be further from the truth. When done correctly, an email blast is a valuable marketing tool that keeps subscribers informed and engaged. Let’s clear up some common misconceptions.

Misconception #1: Email Blasts Are Just Spam

One of the biggest myths about email blasts is that they’re nothing more than spammy mass emails. The truth is, spam emails are unsolicited, irrelevant, and sent without permission.

A properly executed email blast is permission-based. You’re sending it to people who signed up to hear from you. If you provide valuable content, your subscribers will actually look forward to your emails.

If you’re worried about your messages ending up in the spam folder, focus on good email practices:

Only send to people who opted in.
Use a verified email-sending service.
Make sure your emails offer real value.

While you should always aim to keep your spam rate as low as possible, it’s crucial to avoid hitting that all-important spam rate threshold.

Misconception #2: Sending More Emails Gets Better Results

It might seem logical that more emails = more sales, but that’s not how it works. I’ve seen brands burn out their audience by blasting emails too frequently.

People don’t want their inbox flooded, and if they feel overwhelmed, they’ll unsubscribe or mark your emails as spam.

Instead of focusing on quantity, focus on quality. Send emails when you have something important or helpful to share like the example below:

Misconception #3: Email Blasts Have to Be Salesy

Not every email has to be a promo or discount offer. Some of the best email blasts I’ve sent were informational, helpful, or simply engaging.

Think about your own inbox. If every email you receive is pushing a sale, you eventually start ignoring them.

But when a company provides valuable insights, updates, or engaging content, you’re more likely to stay subscribed and open their emails.

Some great non-sales email blast ideas include:

Exclusive content (insider tips, guides, or industry updates)
Product or service updates
Customer stories or testimonials
Invitations to events or webinars

Best Practices for Effective Email Blasts

An email blast can either grab attention and drive engagement or get ignored and sent straight to spam. It all comes down to how you execute it.

I’ve seen both sides, and I can tell you from experience that doing it right makes all the difference. Follow these best practices:

1. Build a Quality Email List

The success of an email blast starts before you even send it. Your emails won’t perform well if your list is full of uninterested or unengaged people.

If you’re just starting out or want to improve your email list, organic growth is the best approach. That means getting people to sign up voluntarily because they actually want to hear from you.

Here’s how you can do that:

Never Buy Email Lists: If there’s one mistake that kills engagement and damages email reputation, it’s buying lists. Never do this, please!
Use High-Value Lead Magnets: People aren’t going to hand over their email for no reason. Offer something worth their time, like a lead magnet.
Place Sign-Up Forms in Smart Locations: The best spots? Your homepage, blog posts, checkout page, and even an exit-intent popup.
Use Double Opt-In: It might feel like an extra step, but I’d rather have a smaller, engaged list than a huge one full of inactive subscribers.

2. High-Quality Content

Once you’ve built a strong email list, the next step is making sure people actually open and read your emails. This is where content makes all the difference.

I’ve seen email blasts flop simply because the content didn’t connect with the audience. On the other hand, I’ve also seen emails perform incredibly well when they were written with purpose.

Start by working on your subject lines. Aim for 6-10 words so it’s easy to read at a glance. Write like a real person, not like a robot. Also, try using phrases like “last chance” to encourage opens (only if it matches the email content).
Once your email is opened, the next challenge is keeping people engaged. Use “you” instead of “everyone.” It makes the message feel more personal. And get to the point fast. The first two lines should tell why the email matters.

People are busy, and if your email doesn’t provide value, they won’t bother reading future ones. Before sending an email blast, ask yourself:

Does this email solve a problem or answer a question?
Does it offer something useful, like a tip, a resource, or a special deal?
Does it feel like something you’d want to receive?

Emails that help, educate, or entertain get the best engagement. I always make sure my emails either provide information or offer something valuable, so my audience actually looks forward to them.

3. Timing and Frequency

When it comes to email blasts, timing can make or break your results. You could have the perfect subject line and high-value content, but if you send it at the wrong time or too often, your emails might get ignored.

I’ve tested different sending times and frequencies, and small adjustments can have a huge impact on open rates and engagement. Certain patterns tend to work well:

Emails sent on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays tend to get better open rates.
Many people check emails between 8-10 AM and again around noon.
Unless you’re in a niche where weekend emails work, people are less likely to check emails on Saturdays and Sundays.

That being said, your audience’s behavior matters most. The best way to find the right time for your emails is to run tests. Try morning vs afternoon, look at past data, and consider different timezones too.

If your audience is global, sending at one fixed time might not work. Some email services let you schedule emails based on the recipient’s time zone.

You also want to make sure to avoid email fatigue. So, make sure to mix in helpful content instead of sending constant sales emails. Also, don’t forget to clean your email lists regularly.

4. Compliance with Email Regulations

Over the years, I’ve seen businesses get flagged, blacklisted, or even fined simply because they didn’t follow basic email regulations.

If you’re sending email blasts, you must comply with laws like the CAN-SPAM Act, GDPR (for EU audiences), and CASL (for Canada).

To avoid penalties and keep your emails from landing in spam, here are the main rules you should always follow:

Get Permission Before Sending Emails: You can’t just add people to your email list and start blasting them with promotions. They need to opt-in!
Include a Clear Way to Unsubscribe: If someone wants to opt out, you must honor their request quickly (CAN-SPAM requires this within 10 days).
Use a Real ‘From’ Name and Email Address: Avoid misleading sender names or using “no-reply” addresses, which can make it hard for users to contact you.

Even if you’re not an email law expert, sticking to basic compliance rules can protect your business and improve deliverability in the long run.

5. Analyze Engagement Metrics

Sending an email blast is only half the battle. You need to make sure that you’re tracking performance metrics to know if it actually worked. The numbers will tell you exactly what’s working and what needs improvement.

Most email marketing services provide detailed analytics on every campaign you send. But the trick isn’t just looking at the data, it’s understanding it and using it to make smarter decisions.

If you want to improve engagement and conversions, pay close attention to these email delivery statuses and the core metrics below:

Open Rate: This tells you how many recipients actually opened your email.
Click-Through Rate (CTR): Measures how many people clicked on a link inside your email.
Conversion Rate: The number of recipients who completed a desired action (like making a purchase).
Bounce Rate: This metric tracks emails that never reached the inbox (due to hard or soft bounces).
Unsubscribe Rate: The percentage of people who opt-out after receiving your email.

Tracking Transactional Emails with WP Mail SMTP

Marketing emails aren’t the only emails you should be tracking. Transactional emails like password resets, order confirmations, and email change requests are just as important.

Take advantage of WP Mail SMTP’s detailed logs and email reports to check delivery success, and if there’s a problem, you can quickly identify and resolve it.

Use WP Mail SMTP’s Email Reports

FAQs — What Is an Email Blast?

Email blast is a popular topic of interest among our readers. Here are answers to some common queries about it.

Are email blasts illegal?

No, email blasts are not illegal, but they must follow regulations like the CAN-SPAM Act and GDPR.

This means getting permission from recipients, including an unsubscribe link, and avoiding misleading subject lines.

What is the professional way to say email blast?

Instead of “email blast,” you can use terms like “email campaign,” “mass email,” or “bulk email.” These sound more polished and align better with professional email marketing practices.

How often should I send email blasts to my subscribers?

It depends on your audience and content.

Weekly or biweekly emails work well for most businesses, but daily emails can be effective for time-sensitive offers.

The key is to maintain engagement without overwhelming recipients.

What is the best greeting for a mass email?

A simple and friendly greeting works best. “Hi [First Name]” is ideal if you’re using personalization.

If you’re addressing a larger audience, “Hi everyone” or “Dear valued customers” can feel warm yet professional.

What is a good opening sentence for an email?

Your opening should grab attention and set the tone. Try starting with a question, a short statement, or a friendly introduction like, “We’ve got something exciting to share with you!” or “Hope you’re having a great day!”

Next, Understanding the Stages of an Email Marketing Funnel

Not everyone who joins an email list is eager to buy straight away. Some folks are just inquisitive. Others require time to compare choices. That’s where an email marketing funnel comes in to guide potential consumers from the moment they sign up to the point where they make a purchase.