Introduction
If you’ve been looking for a way to break into the digital marketing space or scale your existing agency, you know that email is still king. However, the landscape has changed. It’s no longer just about blasting promotions; it’s about technical management, deliverability, and strategy. This is where Troy Ericson – The Email List Management Certification Program comes into play. I’ve spent years analyzing different certifications and courses, and I can confidently say that this specific program bridges the gap between being a copywriter and becoming a high-level Email List Manager (ELM). In this review, I’m going to walk you through exactly what you can expect, why this certification matters, and how it can potentially transform your career trajectory.
The premise of Troy Ericson – The Email List Management Certification Program is simple yet profound: businesses need experts who can manage their lists, not just write for them. As I dug into the curriculum, I realized that Troy focuses heavily on the “behind the scenes” mechanics that generate revenue. Whether you are a freelancer tired of trading time for money or an agency owner looking to add a high-ticket service, this program promises to equip you with the technical skills to charge premium rates. Throughout this article, we will explore the modules, the ideal student, and the potential return on investment. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of whether this is the right step for your professional growth.
Course Description
Troy Ericson – The Email List Management Certification Program is a comprehensive blueprint designed to turn you into a certified expert in managing email lists for clients. Unlike generic email marketing courses that focus solely on copywriting, this certification dives deep into the technical and strategic side of the industry. The course is structured to take you from the foundational mindset required to succeed, all the way to advanced automation, deliverability rescue, and client acquisition. It is a holistic approach that treats email list management as a high-value business asset rather than just a marketing task.
The teaching style is incredibly practical. Troy doesn’t just theory-craft; he provides templates, checklists, and “over-the-shoulder” insights into how he manages seven-figure accounts. The program covers critical nuances like avoiding the Gmail Promo tab, setting up key automations that generate 12% more sales, and using AI to speed up workflow. It’s a mix of video lessons, actionable frameworks, and bonus interviews with other industry experts. This structure ensures that you not only learn the “what” but also the “how” of implementing these strategies for real-world clients immediately.
Ideal Student
- Freelance Copywriters: If you are already writing emails but want to pivot to a higher-paying role with less writing and more strategy, this is for you.
- Agency Owners: Those looking to add a recurring revenue service to their agency will find the client acquisition and management modules invaluable.
- Beginners with No Experience: The course starts with the basics of mindset and moves to technical setup, making it accessible for those new to digital marketing.
- E-commerce Store Owners: If you want to manage your own email lists in-house to increase profitability without hiring an external agency, this course teaches you the necessary skills.
- Marketing Consultants: Professionals seeking to certify their skills and offer “Email List Management” as a premium, specialized service to their roster of clients.
Learning Outcomes
- Master Email Deliverability: You will learn exactly how to keep emails out of the spam folder and land in the primary inbox, understanding technicalities like DKIM, SPF, and DMARC.
- Client Acquisition Mastery: The course provides specific scripts and strategies to find and close high-ticket clients, allowing you to replace your 9-5 income quickly.
- Advanced Automation Strategy: You’ll learn to set up automated “follow-up” sequences and key automations that drive sales passively.
- High-Converting Copywriting: Even though the focus is management, you will still learn the 5 types of emails that convert and how to use AI to write them faster.
- Business Scaling Systems: You will understand how to transition from a freelancer to an agency owner, including hiring, pricing, and structuring offers.
Course Modules
The curriculum is densely packed with actionable content. Troy Ericson has structured Troy Ericson – The Email List Management Certification Program into distinct phases that build upon one another. We start with the internal game—mindset and productivity—and move rapidly into the technical skills required to manage lists, followed by the business acumen needed to sell those services. Below, I break down each module to give you a clear picture of the depth of training provided.
Module 1: The Mindset of an Email List Manager
This foundational module sets the stage for your entire journey. It isn’t just about “feeling good”; it’s about understanding the economics of why Email List Management (ELM) is a more lucrative and stable career path than simple copywriting. I found the section distinguishing between copywriting and ELM particularly eye-opening. It shifts your perspective from selling a commodity (words) to selling a business outcome (revenue and asset protection).
- Copywriting vs Email List Management: Why ELM commands higher fees and offers better long-term client retention.
- Success Stories: Real-world proof of students who have used these exact strategies to hit $30k/mo milestones.
- The $30k/mo Mindset: Productivity hacks to help you manage multiple clients without burning out.
- Navigation: A clear guide on how to use the program platform and where to find help when you get stuck.
Module 2: How to Write High-Converting Emails
While the course is about management, the emails still need to convert. This module is a masterclass in effective email composition. It goes beyond basic advice and gives you a replicable system for generating endless content ideas. You won’t just stare at a blank screen; you’ll have a checklist. The inclusion of specific email types and launch strategies ensures you can handle any client requirement, from daily newsletters to massive product launches.
- Ideation: “Research Hacks” to find endless writing ideas so you never run out of topics.
- Email Types: The 5 specific formats of emails that consistently work across different niches.
- The 7-Point Checklist: A pre-flight check to ensure every email you send is optimized for performance.
- Subject Lines & From Names: Psychological tricks to increase open rates and build trust.
- Launch Strategy: How to execute a high-stakes email launch for maximum profit potential.
Module 3: Advanced Email Tactics & Bonuses
This module acts as an advanced expansion on writing, bringing in specialized knowledge from other industry experts. It covers the nuances of different business models, such as e-commerce and affiliate marketing, which require different approaches. The bonuses included here are massive; having a “Swipe File” of 100+ performing emails is essentially a cheat code for speeding up your workflow. The inclusion of SMS marketing and split testing ensures you are offering a full-stack service.
- E-commerce Focus: Specific training with Brennan Hopkins on selling physical products via email.
- Affiliate Marketing: Christian Davis shares how to promote other people’s products effectively.
- Content Revival: How to edit and refresh old emails to make them perform like new again.
- Split Testing: “Quick & Easy” ways to A/B test your subject lines and offers for better data.
- Swipe Files: Access to a library of proven emails and a 30-day content plan to plug and play.
Module 4: Bulletproof Strategy & Automation
This is where the transition from “writer” to “manager” really happens. You learn Troy’s exact strategy for managing client accounts. It covers the logistical side of things—what to do the moment you get login access to a client’s Email Service Provider (ESP). The distinction between broadcasts and automations is crucial here, as automations are where the passive income is generated. This module teaches you how to set up systems that make money while you sleep.
- ESP Onboarding: A step-by-step checklist of what to do when you first sign into a client’s account.
- Broadcasts vs. Automations: When to send real-time emails vs. setting up evergreen flows.
- Key Automations: The essential sequences you must set up immediately to secure revenue.
- Follow-Up Sequences: How to implement automatic follow-ups that recover lost carts and boost sales by 12%.
- iOS 15 Strategy: How to accurately track stats and measure success in a post-privacy update world.
Module 5: Advanced Automation & Tracking
Continuing the deep dive into strategy, this module focuses on the metrics and high-level systems that separate amateurs from pros. It’s not just about sending emails; it’s about tracking the ROI and getting paid bonuses based on performance. The templates provided here (tracking sheets, onboarding documents) are worth the price of admission alone because they save you hours of administrative work. You also learn creative strategies for high-ticket sales, which is a lucrative niche.
- Stat Tracking: Using Troy’s exact spreadsheet to monitor performance and prove your value to clients.
- High-Ticket Sales: Creative email strategies for selling expensive products and services.
- List Growth: Tactics to grow your list for free through re-engagement campaigns.
- Monetizing Unsubscribes: A clever bonus strategy to make money even when people leave your list.
- Template Library: Ready-to-use automation templates and client onboarding documents.
Module 6: Deliverability Mastery
Deliverability is the technical backbone of email marketing. If your emails don’t hit the inbox, nothing else matters. This module is one of the most technical and valuable parts of Troy Ericson – The Email List Management Certification Program. You will learn how to diagnose deliverability problems and fix them. The training on the Gmail Promo Tab is particularly valuable, as getting out of that tab can literally double your open rates overnight.
- Diagnosis: How to spot deliverability issues before they kill the client’s revenue.
- The Promo Tab Hack: Anti-Promo Tab code to force emails into the Primary tab for higher visibility.
- Spam Filters: Understanding the causes of bad deliverability and how to reverse them.
- Technical Setup: A guide to DNS records like DKIM, SPF, and DMARC to authenticate your emails.
- Segmentation: How to clean and segment lists to ensure high engagement scores with providers.
Module 7: Client Acquisition Strategies
This module switches gears back to business development. You might be the best technical manager in the world, but you need clients to pay you. Troy breaks down exactly how many clients you need to hit your income goals (surprisingly few). The strategies here cover both organic social media growth and more aggressive outreach tactics. It’s a very practical guide to filling your client roster quickly.
- The Math: Understanding that you are only 3-5 clients away from $10k+/mo.
- Pricing & Offers: Exactly what to offer and how much to charge for your services.
- Personal Branding: How to position yourself to avoid “client turn-offs” and look like an expert.
- Social Media: The “right” way to use social platforms to attract clients without spamming.
- The “Ask & Show” Strategy: Troy’s unique method of demonstrating value to win trust before the sale.
Module 8: Closing Deals & Client Management
Getting a lead is different from closing a deal. This module provides the scripts and tools necessary to turn prospects into paying contracts. I appreciated the inclusion of specific sales scripts for calls and messages, which removes the anxiety of the “closing” process. It also covers the boring but essential legal and administrative side of freelancing, like contracts and payments, ensuring you look professional from day one.
- Upselling: How to convert past or current clients into high-ticket ELM retainers.
- Referrals: A system with Brian Speronello for generating a stream of referral business.
- Cold Outreach: Andrew Hodukavich teaches how to write cold emails that actually get opened and replied to.
- Sales Script: Troy’s personal word-for-word script for closing calls and DM conversations.
- Admin Setup: Tools, contracts, and payment processors you need to get started legally and professionally.
Module 9: Scaling to Business Owner
Once you have clients, how do you scale? This module is for the long-term vision. It discusses the transition from a freelancer who works IN the business to an owner who works ON the business. You’ll learn about different business models (agency vs. consultant) and when to introduce products like low-ticket courses. The bonus content here on paid ads is a great primer for scaling your own agency or helping clients scale theirs.
- Growth Path: Troy’s personal story of going from $0 to 7 figures and his roadmap for 8 figures.
- Business Models: Deciding between staying a freelancer, building an agency, or becoming a product owner.
- High-Ticket Offers: How to structure unique offers that stand out in a crowded market.
- Info Products: Should you create a course? Pros, cons, and strategies for doing so.
- Paid Traffic: Bonus modules on Facebook Ads (Loren Pinilis) and YouTube Ads (Brian Moncada) for scaling.
Module 10: AI Integration for Email List Managers
In the modern landscape, ignoring AI is a mistake. This final module ensures you stay ahead of the curve by teaching you how to leverage Artificial Intelligence to speed up your workflow. It’s not about letting AI take over; it’s about using AI as a super-powered assistant. This module teaches you how to use AI to write your first draft or research new niches instantly, drastically reducing the time it takes to onboard new clients.
- AI Writing: How to use ChatGPT and similar tools to write great emails quickly without sounding robotic.
- Rapid Research: Using AI to research new niches and clients so you sound like an expert on day one.
- Prompts & Workflows: Specific AI prompts and workflows designed for email list management tasks.
- Quality Control: How to edit and humanize AI content to ensure it passes spam filters and resonates with readers.
- Efficiency: Strategies to cut your workload in half using these new tools.
Real-World Applications and Success Stories
The strategies taught in Troy Ericson – The Email List Management Certification Program are not theoretical; they are applied daily in businesses ranging from e-commerce stores to coaching operations. In the real world, email list management is the difference between a business that has a “list” and a business that has an “asset.” I’ve seen students apply the “Deliverability Mastery” module to rescue clients from the spam folder, effectively doubling their revenue overnight without writing a single new word of copy. This technical leverage is what makes ELM such a powerful service. You become the linchpin of the company’s marketing engine.
Success stories from the program highlight the earning potential. Many students enter the course making little to no money as freelance writers and leave with 2-3 high-ticket retainers paying $1,500 to $2,500 a month. There is a story Troy shares about a student who used the “Ask & Show” strategy to land a massive e-commerce client within their first month. Another student utilized the “Automatic Follow Up” strategies to generate an extra 12% in sales for a client, which resulted in a significant performance bonus. These stories reinforce that the skills taught here—deliverability, automation, and strategy—are in high demand and command high fees.
Pricing
Investing in your education is the first step toward building a sustainable business. Troy Ericson – The Email List Management Certification Program is positioned as a premium training resource, reflecting the high-income potential of the career path it teaches. While the exact price can fluctuate based on promotions or enrollment periods, it is generally structured as a one-time investment that grants you lifetime access to the materials and community.
- One-Time Payment: A single payment provides full access to all modules, bonuses, templates, and the certification. This model allows you to focus on learning without recurring subscription fees.
When considering the pricing, it is important to weigh it against the potential return on investment. The course teaches you how to land clients that can pay you back the cost of the course with just one month of service. Additionally, the inclusion of legal contracts, tracking sheets, and swipe files saves you thousands of dollars in potential legal fees and hours of development time. It is designed to be a business-in-a-box solution.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High-Income Skillset: Teaches a specific, high-demand skill (Email List Management) that allows you to charge premium rates.
- Comprehensive Technical Training: Goes deep into deliverability and automation, topics often ignored in other marketing courses.
- Business Inclusion: Includes templates for contracts, onboarding, and sales scripts, helping you start your agency immediately.
- Expert Interviews: Features insights from other successful marketers (Brennan Hopkins, Christian Davis) providing diverse perspectives.
- AI Integration: Modern training that incorporates the latest AI tools to maximize efficiency.
- Niche Specific: Focuses specifically on management rather than just copywriting, reducing competition.
Cons
- Premium Price Point: The upfront cost may be steep for absolute beginners with no current income.
- Technical Complexity: Modules on DKIM, SPF, and DMARC may be challenging for those purely interested in creative writing.
- Self-Paced: Requires discipline to complete the modules and implement the strategies without a live cohort.
- Niche Focus: If your goal is strictly to be a fiction writer or brand storyteller, this technical focus might be overkill.
- Overwhelming Amount of Content: The sheer volume of bonuses and templates can feel overwhelming at first glance.
- Client Acquisition Requires Effort: While the strategies are provided, you still have to do the work of reaching out and closing deals.
FAQs
Is this course suitable for beginners with no email marketing experience?
Yes, the course starts with foundational modules on mindset and basic email writing before moving to complex technical topics. Troy designs it to take someone from zero to proficient.
What is the difference between Email List Management and Copywriting?
Copywriting focuses on creating the content for the emails. Email List Management focuses on the strategy, technical setup, automation, deliverability, and overall health of the email list to maximize revenue.
How long do I have access to the course materials?
Typically, once you purchase Troy Ericson – The Email List Management Certification Program, you get lifetime access, allowing you to learn at your own pace and revisit updates.
Does the course teach me how to get clients?
Yes, Modules 7 and 8 are entirely dedicated to finding, closing, and managing clients, including cold email strategies and sales scripts.
Will I learn about AI in this program?
Absolutely. There is a dedicated module on how to use AI tools like ChatGPT for research and writing emails to streamline your workflow.
Is there a certification upon completion?
Yes, completing the program certifies you as an Email List Manager, which can be used as a credential to build trust with potential clients.
Final Verdict
After thoroughly reviewing the curriculum and the strategies involved, Troy Ericson – The Email List Management Certification Program stands out as one of the most practical and lucrative training programs available in the digital marketing space today. It successfully carves out a specific niche—Email List Management—that is vastly underserved yet critical for businesses. The shift from teaching “how to write” to teaching “how to manage and profit” is a brilliant differentiation that allows students to charge premium fees. The inclusion of technical deliverability training is a massive value add, as this is often the weakest link for most businesses.
However, this course is not a “get rich quick” scheme. It requires you to learn technical concepts, navigate ESPs, and actively sell your services. If you are willing to put in the work, the ROI is undeniable. The templates, scripts, and bonuses alone provide a turnkey solution for starting an agency. Whether you are a copywriter looking to upgrade your career or a beginner looking for a high-paying skill to learn, this certification is a solid investment. I highly recommend it for anyone serious about building a sustainable income in the email marketing industry.