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autoresponders

ConvertKit Discount: Free Month or More (Plus 8 Benefits)

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ConvertKit brands itself as email marketing for professional bloggers.

As a former user of Constant Contact, AWeber, MailChimp, and GetResponse, it’s a valid statement.

But ConvertKit is more than just email marketing for professional bloggers. It’s a sound professional choice for any entrepreneur who has something to say or sell online (including the fulfillment of physical goods or services).

At $29/month for your first 1000 subscribers, ConvertKit exceeds the user and cost-friendliness of MailChimp with a lot of the Customer Relationship Management (CRM) capabilities of InfusionSoft.

ConvertKit Discount: Free Month or More

If you are ready to try out ConvertKit (awesome! – you won’t regret it), here are two ways to save money:

  1. If you use this ConvertKit promotional link (current as of 11/1/19), you can fully test out ConvertKit free of charge for the first month (up to 1000 subscribers).
  2. After your account setup, you can prepay for a full year of ConvertKit and get 12 months for the price of 10 months.  Simply contact ConvertKit customer service to take advantage of the annual plan – once you set up a ConvertKit account.

If you are just starting out (with less than 1000 subscribers to import or none at all), click here for a ConvertKit Free Month Discount.  After 30 days, set up an annual plan to get two more free months over the next year. Or you can pay for ConvertKit on a monthly basis.

If you already have over 1000 subscribers (or you know ConvertKit is right for you), you can lock in two months of ConvertKit for free today by selecting the Pricing tab on the ConvertKit website and then click on the Annual Billing button:

Then click TRY IT FOR FREE in the column that fits your subscriber list size.

If you are not sure yet if ConvertKit is the right choice for you, no worries.  Eight benefits of using ConvertKit are outlined for your quick reference below.

8 Benefits of ConvertKit

ConvertKit’s user interface is almost too simple to be a powerful resource to segment and tag your email mailing list subscribers for strategic growth. But when you immerse yourself in complexity for so long, you expect things to be difficult to be good.

But ConvertKit is different.

Here are eight benefits of ConvertKit you will discover when you start using the service:

  1. Only One List 

    Unlike email marketing services likes AWeber and MailChimp that charge you per email per list (even if it is the same email address), ConvertKit only charges you once per email because there is only one list. All subscribers to your mailing list have their unique profile where you can tag and segment them with ease.

  2. Nice Looking Opt-in Forms  

    One of the biggest frustrations with other email services is that their opt-in forms are well unattractive out of the box and difficult to configure.  Yes, you can customize them if you know what you’re doing (or use an opt-in designer tool like OptinMonster), but ConvertKit lets you set up simple and attractive opt-in forms when you are starting out.

  3. Built-in Landing Page Templates

    This is a very nice and unexpected benefit of ConvertKit.  Landing page templates allow you to create an entire page dedicated to your opt-in. This is a feature you can pay separately for with a more robust landing page software designer like LeadPages.  But ConvertKit lets you set up a simple landing page at no extra cost.

  4. Easy-to-Follow Autoresponder Sequences

    Autoresponders are a term for automated sequences of emails you can send out to your subscribers. ConvertKit makes the process intuitive by displaying all of your email messages in one view in your account dashboard. You can even drag and drop your messages to change the sequence. 

  5. Broadcasting While Excluding

    Broadcast emails are one-time messages that can be written and distributed at any time to your subscriber list.  Since you only have one list, ConvertKit makes it easy to send a broadcast while excluding certain segments of your list. For example, you may want to send out a notice about a sale on one of your products, but you don’t want to send it to customers who have already purchased the product.

  6. Tagging Based on Your Subscribers’ Activity

    ConvertKit lets you tag (and then segment) potential leads in your subscriber list based on their activity on your website or through your email message. For example, you may include a link in one of your ConvertKit emails to assess interest in a new product. If one of your subscribers clicks on the link, ConvertKit can automatically tag that person as being interested.

  7. Easy to Understand Analytics

    When you log in to your ConvertKit account, you will see an easy-to-understand subscriber graph that shows you by the day which forms are growing your subscriber list.

  8. Integration with Other Software Applications (including the Rainmaker Platform)

    ConvertKit integrates directly with other software apps like LeadPages, OptinMonster, Acuity, and Shopify (plus it integrates with countless other apps like Typeform through Zapier). ConvertKit is also one of only a handful of email marketing services that have been selected to integrate directly with the Rainmaker Platform.

    If you are planning to create, share, and sell content online through a blog, podcast, course, and/or membership site, ConvertKit coupled with Rainmaker is a powerful combination (and Rainmaker is the foundation for this website – here’s why).  If you want to maximize email opt-ins on your website, OptinMonster is a great addition to your toolkit (here’s why).

ConvertKit Discount: Free Month or More

If you are now ready to try out ConvertKit, here again are two ways to save money with a ConvertKit discount:

  1. If you use this ConvertKit promotional link, you can fully test out ConvertKit free of charge for up to one month. You’ll be asked to answer some setup questions first.
  2. Then set up an annual plan to get two more months free of charge over the next year via the additional ConvertKit discount available to customers – just ask for the annual plan discount after you become a customer!

Full Transparency

Graceful Resources has an affiliate relationship with ConvertKit so if you decide to invest in ConvertKit via this ConvertKit free month promo link or the direct ConvertKit setup link, this website is eligible for a nominal commission from the good folks in Idaho at ConvertKit if you decide to pay for the service. There is no extra cost to you.

If you start using ConvertKit, you are encouraged to set up an affiliate relationship with them as well.  You’ll want to spread the word too.  The software is that good, and I would use and recommend ConvertKit even if there was no affiliate program.

What other questions do you have about ConvertKit?

Please feel free to reach out via the Graceful Resources contact form.

If you need assistance migrating to ConvertKit (or getting started with a strategic lead magnet tied to ConvertKit), we assist clients with ConvertKit-related projects every month.

Cheering for your online success – one project step at a time!

Brent

What to Ask For in Your Email Opt-in Form

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An email opt-in form on your website, landing page, or advertisement is the front gate for people to join your business email list and then receive the corresponding email welcome message you sent out automatically to new subscribers.

At a minimum, your email opt-in form has to ask for an email address.

Everything else you ask for on your email opt-in form is up for a (heated) debate – as this Leadpages interview on what to include on an opt-in form demonstrates.

It is often said that the more information you ask for on an email opt-in form, the more reasons you give people to not join your email mailing list.

Even in this era of social media transparency, people are still protective of their personal contact information starting with their email address. A professionally designed lead magnet helps overcome the resistance to share an email address, but even a great lead magnet can’t overcome opt-in forms that ask for way too much.

Email Opt-in Form FAIL

The United States Postal Service (USPS) recently sponsored an advertisement on Facebook that had all the marks of a great lead magnet. The ad (pictured below) promoted a “surprising study” on direct mail vs digital mail:

Email-Optin-Form

But when you clicked on the USPS advertisement to simply access the study, you were redirected to this extensive opt-in form:

Email-Optin-Form-USPS

That’s right…

There are fifteen (15!) fields on this opt-in form to simply read the study.

As you probably guessed, what this Facebook sponsored ad from the USPS did receive was ridicule and laughter in the advertisement comments.

What to Ask For in Your Email Opt-In Form

Your email opt-in form is an entry point for a relationship with a future customer.

That being said, your opt-in form should not be designed to record a relationship that doesn’t exist yet.

Keep it simple.

Here is what to ask for your opt-in form:

  1. Email Address
  2. First Name (but make this field optional)

The benefit of a person’s first name is that it allows you to personalize your email message for the subscriber, but do not make first name a required field to opt-in to your email list.

Remember the rule of thumb: Every additional opt-in form field creates extra resistance.

Here is an example of an opt-in form from this site that asks for both first name and email address, but labels the first name field as optional:

What-to-ask-for-Email-Optin-Form-GracefulResources

If you would like to access this actual opt-in form, simply click here to trigger the opt-in form pop-up.

If interested, this opt-in form was created with OptinMonster – one of the tools taught to participants in the Lead Magnet Project.

Other Resources for Your Online Success

  1. Lead Magnet Examples (Graceful Resources email subscribers can add their own web address for free)
  2. Lead Magnet Survey (share your own opinion about opt-in incentives and discover what other entrepreneurs recommend)
  3. Recommended Website and Email Software Resources (you’ll also discover why these resources are recommended)

Cheering for your online success – one project step at a time!

Brent

5 Email Autoresponder Tips for Your Welcome Message

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When people join your email mailing list to receive your lead magnet (see also Domain Name Advice: 3 Tips for Your Lead Magnet), the welcome message they receive from your email autoresponder – short for “automated response email” – is a critical next step to grow your business.

While the welcome message is automated, it is personal to the person who receives it.

Treat any email autoresponder with the same level of care as you would an in-person conversation with a potential customer.

It can be the start of a long-term relationship with a professional.

It can also be the quick end to one as well.

Therefore, plant your relationships carefully and professionally – starting with an email autoresponder welcome message.

What follows are five email autoresponder tips for your welcome message, plus an email autoresponder example from this site to quickly demonstrate all five recommendations.

email-autoresponder-welcome

5 Email Autoresponder Tips for Your Welcome Message

Email Autoresponder Tip #1: Personalize your gratitude.

If you capture an email subscriber’s first name – in addition to her email address – you are able to personalize the welcome message.

It’s recommended you include a first name field in your opt-in form, but do not make the first name field mandatory (you can view an opt-in form example in the sidebar of this web page – if viewing on a desktop).

Whether you are able to include the subscriber’s first name or not, start your welcome message with a word of thanks to the person.

Email Autoresponder Tip #2: Deliver your lead magnet.

Immediately after a word of gratitude in your email autoresponder welcome message, deliver the lead magnet you promised.

If your lead magnet is a downloadable resource like a guide, do not attempt to attach the file to the welcome message (it’s an email security risk and will likely be blocked by your email service provider). Instead, provide a link to the lead magnet within your message.

Additional Note: If you are seeking project guidance on the design, integration, and marketing of a professional lead magnet to grow your email list, you may be interested in joining the new interactive Lead Magnet Project. 

Email Autoresponder Tip #3: Set expectations with your subscriber.

Your email autoresponder welcome message is the perfect opportunity to set expectations with your subscribers about what’s next in terms of future messages.

Specifically, you want to be upfront about when they’ll hear from you again, how often, and what you will send them.

If you are planning to send out new content to your email list once a week, for example, it’s also recommended you pick a specific day and time each week to do so. That way, your subscribers know when to check their inboxes for your content.

Email Autoresponder Tip #4: Highlight your other resources.

Just like in your professional Lead Magnet (see the 5 Essential Characteristics of a Lead Magnet), it is appropriate to cross-reference the other resources you have available or planning to have available.

Email subscribers know you are in business (or starting one).

Do not be afraid to share resources that you feel will help people – just do so in a succinct and professional manner. 

Email Autoresponder Tip #5: Reinforce your expertise in your signature.

Lastly, close your email autoresponder welcome message with your email signature.

Specifically, you will want to include your full name, your professional credentials, and a short summary of what you do.

It is also recommended you include a small photo of yourself in your email signature. It further personalizes your welcome message.

Email Autoresponder Example

For your quick reference, here is a snapshot of the current email autoresponder welcome message sent to Graceful Resources subscribers from ConvertKit. The five recommendations are labeled accordingly.

email-autoresponder-example

If you would like to join the email list and receive this actual welcome message, simply click here.

Thanks,

Brent

What is Exit Intent? And 3 Benefits of Exit Intent Opt-In Pop-Ups

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Exit Intent is one of those new online marketing terms like Autoresponders (which was defined in this earlier post). It refers to a popular online lead generation strategy that you would recognize in use (but perhaps not by name) as you surf the web.

As a professional project manager specializing in web design and online lead generation strategies for clients, I try to stay up to date on all the latest marketing lingo so that I can explain concepts in easy to understand terms.

Admittedly, I test out my understanding and explanation on my family first. If the eyes roll, I keep working on it!

Once the concept is ready for introduction to a client, we determine if it makes sense strategically to implement it as part of the project schedule.

WhatisExitIntent

What is Exit Intent?

Technically speaking, Exit Intent is the name for the “exiting” mouse movement of a website visitor that triggers a pop-up message on the screen.

Stated another way, as your cursor moves to leave the active browser tab, a message pops ups to grab your attention before you leave.

You can manually trigger an exit intent pop up on this site via this link and you should see the following message:

ExitIntentExample2017

Is Exit Intent kind of annoying for site visitors? Well, yes.

Is Exit Intent kind of effective? Well, yes.

3 Benefits of Exit Intent Opt-In Pop-Ups

1. Exit Intent Pop-Ups are Less Intrusive than Time-Based Pop-Ups

You are probably very familiar with time-based pop-ups on the center of website screens.

Some appear the moment you arrive on a website before you have a chance to read anything. Others appear after a set number of seconds or as you scroll down the page a set percentage.

I don’t know about you, but I find time-based pop-ups very disruptive and I am quick to exit them out (and not opt-in to the form).

2. Exit Intent Pop-Ups are an Online Elevator Pitch

When you use an exit-intent pop-up, you are automating your elevator pitch so that site visitors know what you are about before they leave.

Is there a chance someone is not interested in your content or business? Absolutely.

But if you are able to solve a problem someone is experiencing, you’ll want to catch the site visitor before they leave. Often, your value proposition is a lot clearer in an exit intent message than on a random web page.

3. Exit Intent Pop-Ups are Somewhat Effective

You won’t realize great opt-in rates on an exit intent pop-up because well… people are trying to leave.

Will get some leads on your email list that you would have otherwise missed? Absolutely.

And that lead could become a customer for years to come.

Exit Intent pop-ups are often worth the brief interruption.

My Software Tool for Exit Intent

I use OptinMonster for exit intent (and all my pop-up variations – including the footer bar) on this website. I highly recommend this cloud-based software and you can discover my lessons learned with OptinMonster in this online review.

Once someone opts-in to your campaign via OptinMonster, the software is smart enough to not generate a pop-up again for that user!

I plan to incorporate OptinMonster setup, design, and integration in at least one of my upcoming guided do-it-yourself projects using Teamwork software from Ireland.

You can catch announcements about these interactive project offerings via my email mailing list (click here to not miss out).

Exit Intent is worth adding to your toolkit and testing as a lead generation tool.

Hope this blog post helps.

I’m here to help you succeed, one project step at a time.

Brent

Special Bonus: All subscribers to my mailing list can add their own lead magnet web addresses at any time to my upcoming lead magnet examples listing here on the Graceful Resources website. So free publicity for their respective websites!

What is an Autoresponder and an Email Example

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It seems one of the most common characteristics (and challenges) of any new industry is the jargon. The fast-growing world of digital commerce is no exception with it comes to its own terminology.

It really hit home for me at a dinner conversation at a Phoenix restaurant following Jeff Walker’s Product Launch Formula (PLF) event a few months back.

PLF_Live

An experienced online entrepreneur across the table asked a relatively new entrepreneur sitting next to me about her autoresponder.

She gave her a blank stare in return.

The digital commerce veteran fired back at her, “You DO have an autoresponder?!”

The tone of the follow-up question was unprofessional so I quickly translated the question for my colleague and changed the subject.

Let me now do my best to translate for you as well because if you think you’re the only one who is confused with all this “tech speak”, you’re not alone.

What is an Autoresponder?

In the online commerce space, an autoresponder is short for an “automated response email”. In other words, it is an email that is triggered automatically by someone else’s action online.

A common action is an entry into an opt-in form like this one to join a mailing list.

Autoresponders have actually been around since the dawn of email (and for that matter, since the dawn of direct mail when you filled out a card for the receipt of more information in your mailbox).

What_is_an_autoresponder

In the email space, you probably know autoresponders most commonly as an Out of Office message.  They go out automatically by your email client (like Outlook) in reply to a co-worker when you are on vacation.

Today, marketing email services like ConvertKit (here’s a summary of why I switched from AWeber and MailChimp) send out autoresponders around the clock in response to opt in form entries and specific actions that subscribers take from within their email messages.

For example, as an entrepreneur, you can set up an autoresponder message trigger if someone simply clicks on a link in an email message you send out.

Autoresponder messages are also commonly used in e-commerce transactions. If someone makes a purchase on your website, an automated message should go to the customer via email with a purchase receipt moments after the transaction.

An Autoresponder Email Example

Autoresponders are also often in the form of a sequence of messages, and the setup procedure varies by email marketing service.

It can be a little tricky to set up and test technologically (if you are seeking additional guidance, you may be interested in the Lead Magnet Project).

Here’s an example from the website SoftballPitchingTools.com:

  1. A site visitor enters her first name and email address in the pop-up form at the top of the screen or via a pop-up form that is triggered when she clicks on a specific link on the website.
  2. A brief thank you message then displays in the same pop-up form and asks the person to confirm her address (this step is called a Double Opt In Confirmation and it helps reduce spam and invalid email addresses on your mailing list).
  3. An autoresponder message automatically goes out to the person to confirm her email address. ConfirmEmailExample
  4. Upon clicking on the confirm your email address button, the autoresponder then automatically redirects the person to a thank you landing page (a great cross-selling opportunity, by the way).
  5. On the thank you page, the person is advised to check her inbox for a welcome message (a second autoresponder) that includes a coupon.

The relationship with the website visitor starts and it is all powered by email autoresponders!

You DO have an autoresponder?

Next time, you too will be prepared to say “Yes. Yes, I do.”

Cheering for your online success – one project step at a time!
Brent

 

OptinMonster Review: 10 Reasons to Give OptinMonster a Try

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So what exactly is OptinMonster?

OptinMonster is a premium lead generation software that creates eye-catching forms for your website visitors to sign up (or “opt in”) for your email mailing list. Click here for a live OptinMonster pop up form here on this website.

In software industry speak, OptinMonster is a Software as a Service (SaaS) product. What that means, is that OptinMonster is licensed on a subscription basis and it is centrally hosted (translation: you login to your OptinMonster account on their website to design your opt-in forms and to specify where and when the forms then display on your websites).

OptinMonster-Mascot

It is sounds complicated, it is not.  SaaS delivery models are typically more user friendly and the OptinMonster user interface is one of my favorites in the industry.  You’ll love the degree of form customization that OptinMonster offers at your fingertips. While this is a slight learning curve with any new product, you’ll get the hang of it fast even if technology isn’t your thing.

OptinMonster actually did not start out as a SaaS product (you previously had to download and install the software on your own website). Now all you have to install on your website is a plugin (if you are running a standard WordPress website) or to embed some html code (if you are running a more robust WordPress like Rainmaker – which is what this site runs on).  No worries: OptinMonster offers clear instruction on the embed process. I’m not a developer either and it was easy to setup.

How much does OptinMonster cost?

OptinMonster starts at $19/month for the Basic plan while the more robust Pro plan (the one I use and recommend) is $39/month.  You can also save a lot of money by pre-paying for an annual plan (also what I have and recommend).

The cost of an OptinMonster license will likely pay for itself after a short amount of time because professionally designed opt-in forms are proven to significantly grow email lists.

And if you maintain an email marketing list through a company like ConvertKit, then you are able to stay connected to your leads, segment your audience, and share products and services your business offers at the right time and to the right people.

OptinMonster Review: My Lead Generation Lesson Learned

I spent a significant amount of time trying to design my own opt-in forms when I was using Constant Contact (and then AWeber) as my email list provider. The designs were never integrated fully into blog posts and I lost future connections with potential email subscribers. When I researched what successful website and blogs were using, I noticed features such as:

  1. Professionally designed opt-in forms in sidebars and at the end of blog posts
  2. Opt-in pop-ups on mobile devices
  3. Slide-in pop-ups from the right corner of the screen
  4. Pop-ups that display when I am leaving a site
  5. Opt-in bars that go across the site in the header or footer (tip: footer bars are great for mobile devices)

OptinMonster is the only software solution I could find that offered all these features and is compatible with SSL certified web pages (so that I can protect my site visitors’ email addresses when entered into a form).

10 Reasons OptinMonster is the Best Lead Generation Software

    1. Extensive Library

      Select from a high converting template library (you’ll love the variety of form types available).

    2. Point-and-Click Template Builder

      Easily customize forms to match their brands.  See example at the end of this post.

    3. Unlimited site capability (Pro Plan)

      Install OptinMonster forms on multiple sites for your business, family, or even for your clients – which is what I am able to do.

    4. Integrated A/B testing

      Easily determine which opt-in form works the best with built-in Google Analytics.

    5. Exit-Intent Opt-In Forms (Pro Plan)

      Design forms that pop up when a site visitor is about to leave your site my moving the mouse off the screen (you can try it on this page if you are viewing this post on a computer screen).

    6. MonsterLinks 

      Create an effective 2-step opt-in process from a text link (click here for an example) or opt-in button:

       Free Lead Magnet Guide

    7. Mobile Specific Opt-In Forms (Pro Plan)

      Smart technology that allows you to create pop-up messages specifically for your mobile audience. If you are viewing this post on a mobile device, you will likely see it after a slight delay.

    8. Slide-in Pop Up Forms (Pro Plan)

      Non-intrusive Pop-ups that appear in the right corner of the screen of a computer monitor. See example in the bottom right corner if you are viewing this post on a computer screen.

    9. Integration with all major email marketing services and website platforms.

      One-click integration with email services like AWeber, ConvertKit and all major website platform like WordPress, Drupal, Shopify, and Rainmaker.

    10. Page Level Targeting

      Display OptinMonster form only on certain pages and under certain conditions.

Give OptinMonster a Try

OptinMonster offers a 100% no-risk money back guarantee. If you don’t like OptinMonster (although I think you’ll love it too!), you have 14 days to ask for a refund.

Full Transparency: I have a sponsor affiliate relationship with OptinMonster so if you decide to invest in OptinMonster via this link (or any of the OptinMonster links in this post), I am eligible for a nominal thank you bonus (20%) from the good folks at OptinMonster. There is no extra cost to you and your use of my link helps support the Graceful Resources platform.

For the record, I would use OptinMonster even if there was no affiliate program available. It’s that good!

If you become an OptinMonster customer too, I encourage you to set up an affiliate relationship with them as well.

Any Questions about OptinMonster?

If you have any questions about OptinMonster, please let me know via response to the free email mailing list or my contact form. I am here to help.