How to deliver a reader magnet with EmailOctopus

EmailOctopus is a simple, low-cost email service with a generous free plan, which makes it a good fit for authors starting a mailing list. This guide connects it to Storyfinch so every reader who picks up your free book is added to an EmailOctopus list.

What you need

• An EmailOctopus account.
• Your reader magnet as an EPUB, a PDF, or both, plus a cover image.
• Storyfinch Pro for the automatic connection. On the free plan you can download your new readers as a spreadsheet and import them into EmailOctopus yourself.

Step 1: Choose or create a list

EmailOctopus organises contacts into lists, and each list has its own settings, fields and automations. You can use your main list, or create one just for this book. Storyfinch adds each reader's email address and, if they gave it, their first name to the First name field, so you can greet them by name in your emails.

Step 2: Create an API key

1. In EmailOctopus, open your account settings and go to API keys.
2. Click Add key, give it a name you will recognise, such as "Storyfinch", and click Create.
3. Copy the key. EmailOctopus only shows it once, though you can also download it.

If your account has an older key labelled legacy, create a new one rather than reusing it. New keys work with the current version of EmailOctopus's API, which is what Storyfinch uses.

Step 3: Connect EmailOctopus in Storyfinch

In Storyfinch, open Integrations, choose EmailOctopus, and add a connection. Name it (your pen name works well) and paste the key. Storyfinch checks it straight away and stores it encrypted.

Step 4: Choose the list for your reader magnet

In your reader magnet's settings, under the mailing list options, pick your EmailOctopus connection and the list from step 1. Every reader who signs up and agrees to join your list is then added to it as a subscriber.

Readers are added as subscribed straight away, because they have already agreed on your Storyfinch signup page and Storyfinch keeps a record of exactly what they agreed to. Readers who do not tick the box to join are not sent to EmailOctopus.

Step 5: Send a welcome email

Storyfinch delivers the book, so EmailOctopus handles what comes next. In EmailOctopus, go to Automations, create a new automation from scratch, choose your list, and use the Contact added trigger. Add an email step and click Start.

The trigger only applies to people who join after the automation is switched on, so set it up before you share your link. Then test it: sign up on your own Storyfinch page with an address you can check, and make sure the book arrives from Storyfinch and the welcome email from EmailOctopus. Our welcome email sequence guide has an outline you can adapt.

Double opt-in

EmailOctopus can send a confirmation email to new contacts, set per list under Consent & customisation. Because Storyfinch already records each reader's consent, you do not need it for that. If you want readers to confirm their address before they get the book, switch that on in Storyfinch instead. See single vs double opt-in.

EmailOctopus's free plan

As of October 2026, EmailOctopus's free Starter plan covers up to 2,500 subscribers and 10,000 emails a month, with EmailOctopus branding on your emails. That is plenty for a first reader magnet. Paid plans remove the branding and raise the limits; check EmailOctopus's pricing page for current figures.

Frequently asked questions