Let me tell you, creating a newsletter for sex workers feels like trying to cross a minefield while wearing clown shoes.
You’d think sending emails to consenting adults wouldn’t be such a Herculean task, but nope—newsletter platforms are still clinging to their Victorian-era morality. Heaven forbid someone receives a well-designed email about anything remotely “adult”—we might run out of fainting couches!
If you’ve ever tried to use a service like MailChimp or Brevo, you know the drill: You hook up the signup form to your site, get a steady stream of eager subscribers, design a newsletter that’s equal parts stunning and professional, and just as you’re about to hit “Send,” you get that email: “Your account has been terminated for violating our policies.”
The Challenges
1. Platform Bias and Bans
Newsletter services love to pretend they’re welcoming to “all businesses,” but as soon as they sniff out even a whiff of adult content, they hit the eject button. And no, you don’t have to send anything remotely explicit. Just the idea that you might be part of the adult industry is enough to send them into a moral panic.
2. Spam Filters: The Ultimate Party Poopers
Even if you manage to slip past the ban hammer, good luck actually getting your emails delivered. Spam filters love to gobble up newsletters from anything remotely adult-related, no matter how harmless the content. You could send a recipe for chocolate chip cookies, and Gmail would still scream, “This is filth!”
3. The Alternatives Are…Limited
Sure, there are options like YNOT Mail that cater to the adult industry, and they deserve credit for stepping up where other platforms won’t. That said, their interface has a bit of an old-school vibe, reminiscent of the MySpace era. Deliverability can also be a challenge—some emails land in spam folders, while others occasionally vanish into the ether. On the bright side, their tech support is responsive and reliable, which is always a plus.
Solutions
1. Specialized Platforms (If You’re Feeling Brave)
Yes, YNOT Mail is an option, but only if you’re okay with limited functionality and the constant fear that your emails are being flagged as spam.
2. Self-Hosted Newsletters: DIY or Die Trying
Why not cut out the middleman and host your own newsletter system? Tools like Mailtrain or Sendy let you be the boss. Sure, it’s more work, but at least you won’t wake up to an account suspension email.
Translation: You’ll need some technical chops or a friendly server admin, but the freedom is worth it.
3. Transactional Email Services: Play by Their Rules
Platforms like Postmark, Amazon SES, or SendGrid are less likely to ban you outright—if you keep it squeaky clean and don’t trip their automated alarms. Bonus: They actually deliver emails.
4. Design for Stealth Mode
- Keep subject lines boring but clickable (no “🔥 Spicy Update 🔥” headlines here).
- Balance text and images—spam filters hate image-only emails.
- Steer clear of NSFW images (I know, I know—what’s even the point now?).
- Follow the law: include an unsubscribe link and a physical mailing address (even if it’s a P.O. Box).
5. Just Blog It
Add a blog section to your website and let your subscribers come to you. Use an RSS feed to notify them of updates, skipping the whole email drama altogether.
6. Let’s Build Something Better
Honestly, the real solution here is for sex workers to have a newsletter platform of their own—one that isn’t run by overly sensitive algorithms or judgmental policies. I’ll even design and build it! I just need some legal advice and a server admin who’s down to make magic happen. Seriously, email me.
Let’s Do This
Creating a newsletter shouldn’t feel like a high-stakes espionage mission. Yet here we are, dodging bans, navigating spam folders, and trying to stay one step ahead of platform paranoia.
But I believe in solutions, not just complaining. So, whether it’s self-hosting, sneaking past spam filters, or building a new platform from scratch, I’m ready to fight the good fight. Are you? Let’s make newsletters safe, effective, and actually fun to send. Who’s with me?