Hi, I’m Carrie Cantwell—illustrator, educator, and community builder. If you’re an artist who shares your work on platforms like Instagram, Etsy, or Behance, you’re not alone. But here’s the thing: those platforms aren’t really ours. They can change the rules—or disappear—overnight. What happens if your account gets shut down or the algorithm changes? I don’t want you to lose your followers or customers just because of decisions you can’t control.

That’s why I’m here to talk about something you can control: your email list. It’s one of the most powerful tools you have to build real, lasting connections with your audience. These followers could be potential freelance clients, customers, other artists or fellow students.

In this class, I’ll show you how to take ownership of your community with an email list—the best way to connect with your audience outside of social media and its ever-changing algorithms. You don’t need any fancy tools, tech skills, or a huge following to get started. This class is perfect whether you’re just starting out or already growing your creative community. You don’t have to be salesy or super outgoing to make this work. I’ll walk you through how I use Flodesk to create what’s called a “lead magnet” to attract the right people. If you’re asking yourself “what is a lead magnet?” Don’t worry, I’ll explain exactly what that is in this class.

To help you brainstorm ideas, and discover what your unique offerings are that can help create your email community, I've created a super helpful (optional) free workbook you can snag!

>> GET THE FREE LEAD MAGNET WORKBOOK <<

You can create lead magnets using any email platform you like—but my personal favorite is Flodesk. I love it because it’s super easy to use and looks beautiful right out of the box.

>> JOIN FLODESK AND GET YOUR FIRST YEAR FOR HALF OFF <<

Use the link above to get 50% off your first year of Flodesk. The discount should automatically be applied at checkout. but if it is not, use promo code: UC3QTY

I also have a bonus module available to watch for free on YouTube! This bonus module accompanies my full Skillshare class, and includes a free Flodesk opt-in form template that is perfect for social media, and perfect for viewing on a phone. I will show you how to customize this easy-to-use form, and I'll also show you how I create phone wallpapers in Adobe Photoshop. This is perfect for artists who design patterns (or photographers, illustrators, etc.) to use as a promotional tool to get people to join your email newsletter.

>> WATCH THE YOUTUBE BONUS MODULE HERE <<

Ready to take control of your creative journey and build a community that’s truly yours? I’m so excited to help you get started—let’s dive in!

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/soundroll/vacation-beat
License code: DATFELDVRGLEE4KF

Madeline Wong

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