Hi, In my opinion Email marketing is still effective but now you can not send just text messages to people. Email marketing has been evolved and now creativity with the Email messages are extraordinary. Also, I suggest you to make your own list instead of buying online because if you purchase 1k email only hundred would be the real other will be fake. So, instead of buying I suggest you to create your list manually I know it will take time but the result will worth it.
Goodluck!
Saar Pilosof