Growth6 min read
How to move your newsletter list from beehiiv, Kit, Substack or Mailchimp
Export your subscribers, keep only people who are still opted in, and import them without re-mailing anyone who left. Steps for four platforms.
The Xem journal
Follow alongGood email starts
with a good idea.
A field guide for people who care about what they send. Thoughtful writing, healthier lists, and numbers that mean something.
Start here · Deliverability
Managed SMTP, your domain: how Xem sends through Amazon SES
Xem supports managed SMTP through Amazon SES. Learn how domain verification, workspace controls, the delivery queue, and feedback fit together.
Read the story9 minute read
Find your next good idea.
15 stories
Comparisons5 min read
Mailchimp alternatives in 2026: compare the bill, not just the features
How Mailchimp bills at 10,000 contacts, which alternatives charge per subscriber or per email, and when staying on Mailchimp is the right call.
Comparisons5 min read
Open-source email marketing software in 2026: Listmonk, Mautic and Xem
Three open-source email marketing tools compared on licence, what they include, what they need to run, and who each one suits. Plus where Sendy fits.
Comparisons6 min read
What it costs to send a newsletter through Amazon SES in 2026
Amazon SES charges $0.10 or $0.16 per 1,000 emails. Worked examples for 1,000 to 100,000 subscribers, the costs people forget, and how it compares.
Deliverability9 min read
Managed SMTP, your domain: how Xem sends through Amazon SES
Xem supports managed SMTP through Amazon SES. Learn how domain verification, workspace controls, the delivery queue, and feedback fit together.
AI & writing5 min read
AI email marketing: a practical workflow for a small team
Use AI to research, draft, and improve email campaigns without losing your voice. A practical workflow with review gates, examples, and honest measurements.
Automation5 min read
A welcome email sequence that earns the second open
Plan a three-email welcome sequence that delivers the signup promise, offers a useful next step, and respects consent. Includes timing and copy examples.
Analytics4 min read
Email A/B testing: ask a better question before picking a winner
Plan useful email A/B tests with a clear hypothesis, fair audience split, meaningful success metric, and enough patience to avoid noisy conclusions.
Analytics5 min read
Email analytics beyond opens: a dashboard you can trust
Understand accepted messages, unique clicks, subscriber growth, and attribution. Build an email analytics review that explains what happened and what to do next.
Automation5 min read
Email automation that knows when to stop
Design reliable email automations with clear triggers, delays, consent checks, retries, and exit rules. A practical checklist before you activate a workflow.
Deliverability5 min read
Email deliverability in 2026: the checks that matter
A practical guide to Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook sender requirements, authentication, one-click unsubscribe, and the difference between acceptance and delivery.
Growth5 min read
Email personalization without making people feel watched
Build useful email personalization from declared preferences and clear segments. Learn what data to use, what to avoid, and how to review AI-assisted copy.
AI & writing5 min read
Five AI email prompts that leave room for your voice
Copy five practical AI prompts for newsletters, welcome emails, product updates, subject lines, and editing—with examples and a review checklist.
Growth5 min read
How to grow a newsletter without collecting the wrong readers
Build a newsletter growth loop around a clear signup promise, useful lead forms, consent, and first-month engagement—not just a larger subscriber count.
Design5 min read
Modern email design: beautiful, readable, and built to travel
Design modern newsletters with clear hierarchy, live text, accessible contrast, and mobile-friendly layouts. A practical checklist for real inbox conditions.