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ConvertKit Review: What’s New for 2020

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ConvertKit brands itself as email marketing for professional bloggers.

This popular email marketing software application was built by bloggers for bloggers.

That being said, ConvertKit is a sound investment for any organization that uses email marketing (ten praiseworthy features are outlined below in this ConvertKit Review).

If you have (or plan to have) an email list for your business (and every business should have an email list), ConvertKit is worth at least trying out for free via this ConvertKit 30 Day Trial – for up to 1000 subscribers.

But 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 Yearly Billing button:

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

The features of this popular software application in this quick ConvertKit Review are praiseworthy, but what merits special attention is what’s new for 2018 and 2019.

ConvertKit Review – 10 Praiseworthy Features

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 ten features included in this ConvertKit Review that you will discover too when you start using ConvertKit:

  1. Visual Automation Tool (Introduced in 2018)

    ConvertKit’s email automation tool lets you easily create visual funnels for your subscribers. An email funnel is a fancy marketing term for the process flow a subscriber will go through when they take certain actions as a subscriber to your email list.

    For example, if one of your subscribers clicks on a specific link in an email you send from ConvertKit, you can instruct ConvertKit to then send targeted content to just that subscriber.  This is a great way to develop a business relationship with a lead for your business. You are only sending extra information to leads who request it.

    ConvertKit also offers this capability through built-in “if this, then that” workflow rules, but now ConvertKit makes the setup of the funnel (also called a customer journey) even simpler because the process flows are visually designed by you in your ConvertKit account.  Here is a visual example:

  2. 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. You will discover how much easier it makes email marketing to a specific segment of your list.

  3. Multiple Send From Email Addresses

    Do you have more than one custom domain or business? No worries. ConvertKit lets you send messages from different email addresses at no extra cost. You only need one ConvertKit email account to drive communication for all your websites!

  4. 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.

  5. 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 through the ConvertKit plugin for WordPress (so the landing page is on your domain).  NEW for 2020: ConvertKit offers more robust landing page designs within the tool.

  6. 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.

  7. 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 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.

  8. 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. As mentioned as an 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.

  9. 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.

  10. Integration with Other Software Applications

    ConvertKit integrates directly with other software apps like LeadPages, OptinMonster, and Shopify (plus it integrates with countless other apps like Typeform and Acuity Scheduling 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.

ConvertKit Review – What’s New for 2020

In addition to more landing page design templates, ConvertKit also introduced a new ConvertKit Free Account to its offerings.

But what exactly is a ConvertKit Free Account and how does it compare to a ConvertKit Free Trial?

ConvertKit Free Account

In short, the ConvertKit Free Account gives you unlimited (no expiration) access to most – but not all – product features for up to 100 subscribers. To unlock all features (most prominently the ability to create automatic email sequences – often call autoresponders), you will need to get on a paid plan.

The ConvertKit Free Account does let you create landing pages and forms.

Important Note: The public ConvertKit Free Account via the ConvertKit website does not permit any broadcast or message capabilities until you refer another active user. This ConvertKit Free Account referral link will let you get started with broadcasts for up to 100 subscribers – without any referral requirement.)

ConvertKit Free Trial

The ConvertKit Free Trial, in comparison, gives you limited (e.g. 30-Day ConvertKit Free Trial) access to all product features for up to 1000 subscribers.

If you already have over 1000 email subscribers, this direct link to ConvertKit will also get you started.

(Important Note: The public ConvertKit Free Trial via the ConvertKit website is for 14 days. This One Month ConvertKit Free Trial lets you test-drive all ConvertKit features for an additional 16 days.)

ConvertKit Free Trial vs ConvertKit Free Account

So which ConvertKit offer is better?

If you are not comfortable referring other people or businesses to use a particular type software like ConvertKit, the ConvertKit Free Trial is probably the way to go.

If you already have over 1000 email subscribers (or likely to have over 1000 email subscribers), the ConvertKit Free Trial is probably the way to go.

If you like to test out all software features before buying, the ConvertKit Free Trial is probably the way to go.

But if you are concerned about going to a paid plan ($29/month for up to 1000 subscribers) after one month and then canceling, the ConvertKit Free Account is probably the way to go.

ConvertKit Discount: Free Month or More

If you are now ready to try out this powerful yet affordable software after reading this ConvertKit Review, here again are three 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.
  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 your free trial period ends.
  3. Sign up for a ConvertKit annual plan today and start saving by selecting the Pricing tab on the ConvertKit website and then click on the Yearly Billing button for two months free.

ConvertKit Review: 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.

 

I hope this article has helped in your decision making.

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

One of the Best Lead Generation Ideas

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Generating online leads for your business or non-profit cause requires some creativity.

There are countless lead generation ideas and it takes time to figure out the best strategy.

If your goal is to build an email list, you need to inspire people to sign up for your list (here are 10 different opt-in email marketing offers to help you decide on a creative lead magnet).  Once leads are on your email list, you can then guide them through a journey of new discoveries and resources.

If your goal is to inspire your website visitors to directly inquire about your products or services, you need a creative lead generation form (the next post on this site will add a second form software product review to the Graceful Resources recommended website resources to help you out).

The Story of Notch, the Rescued Dolphin

Martina S. Wing is a manta ray and marine life advocate, educator, author, and underwater photographer.

Her work is based on the Kona coast on the big island of Hawaii.

MartinaWing

In January 2013, she recorded underwater the true story of a wild dolphin in need and the humans who helped it.

Here’s the spectacular video itself of the dolphin (named Notch) rescue:

If you would like to watch the complete (10 minute) film festival edit of Notch’s rescue and opt-in for free to Martina Wing’s mailing list, you can do so via this film festival video landing page.

Martina is a very gifted storyteller and educator, and her email newsletter is an absolute treat to read every other Sunday.

You can sign up for her email list via this same video landing page.

One of the Best Lead Generation Ideas

Inspired by her video with over 30 million YouTube views, Martina is now sharing the amazing story of the rescued dolphin Notch with children around the world through a new children’s book (planned release later this year).

To build her email list in support of the book and all of her inspirational work, Martina’s free lead magnet is a downloadable coloring book.

The coloring book is one of the best lead generation ideas you will encounter. This lead generation idea aligns with her children’s book project, and the coloring book is just as popular with adults as it is with kids.

To date, her active email list is now over 1,600 subscribers.

Free Lead Magnet Guide

Martina is a client of Graceful Resources, and you can preview the Marine Life Coloring Book via this link.

If you are equally inspired by her team’s work, you are encouraged to directly opt-in to her list and coloring book via this book announcement landing page as well.

For more information on her children’s book project – which recently exceeded its Kickstarter campaign goal by 20% – please reference the following video and campaign-funding link.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/martinawing/notch-the-rescued-dolphin

What are the Best Lead Generation Ideas?

As Martina Wing’s lead magnet demonstrates, the best lead generation ideas don’t have to be the most sophisticated.

But lead generation ideas do have to be creative.

And when in doubt for your next lead generation ideas, never forget that we are all kids at heart.

That’s where inspiration begins!

Other Resources for Your Lead Generation Ideas

  1. Lead Magnet Guide (5 essential characteristics of a lead magnet)
  2. Lead Magnet Survey (share your own opinion about email sign up incentives and discover what other entrepreneurs recommend)
  3. Lead Magnet Project (an interactive online project for professionals building email lists)
  4. Lead Magnet Examples (Graceful Resources email subscribers can add their own web address for free)
  5. 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

Discovered: Great Online Lead Generation Guide

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Online lead generation refers to the automatic processes in place on your website, landing page, or advertisement to attract relevant leads to your business.

For many entrepreneurs, online lead generation represents an email list opt-in and this online lead generation guide from Typeform is a treasure.

Online Lead Generation Guide Title:
Lead Generation: Nearly Everything You Need to Know

Online Lead Generation Guide Outline:

  1. Build Your Funnel
  2. Hack H.E.R. Brain Maps *
  3. Swap Value for Email
  4. Optimize Landing Page
  5. Approach Your Audience
  6. Track Led Gen Metrics
  7. Parting Words

* H.E.R. refers to three influencers or systems in your brain:

  1. Habit System (The Searchlight for Stimuli)
  2. Executive System (The Project Manager)
  3. Reward System (Where Feelings are Born)

The article was written by Eric Johnson, a cognitive psychologist and a member of Typeform’s Marketing and Growth team.

But don’t let the brain lingo deter you from this 16-minute online lead generation guide.

It is a fun and engaging read.

Lead-Generation-Guide

Section 3 (Swap Value for Email) of the online lead generation guide is all about the importance of lead magnets to grow a relevant email list.

Free Lead Magnet Guide

Typeform Online Lead Generation Guide

Typeform is an online software company, based in Barcelona, that allows customers to create engaging and conversational online forms, surveys, quizzes, and landing pages called typeforms.

While the Typeform Online Lead Generation Guide is technically a long blog post, it reinforces the company’s creativity.

Typeforms make data collection kind of a cool experience for users – which says a lot when you consider the bland experience most of us run into with Survey Monkey or Google Forms.

If you can make data collection seamless and fun for your leads and customers, you will set yourself apart from the competition in the digital economy.

Typeform_Cover

8 Typeform Examples and a Typeform Discount

Typeform is used on this site and will be taught as an online lead generation tool in the Lead Magnet Project if there is interest from participants.

If you would like to discover several examples of Typeform (plus a Typeform discount link), please reference 8 Typeform Examples and a Typeform Discount.

For your immediate reference, the Lead Magnet Survey was created in Typeform and it is the most successful online lead generation tool on this site.

Discovered: Great Online Lead Generation Guide

Whether you decide to add Typeform to your online lead generation toolkit or not, the company’s Online Lead Generation Guide is worth bookmarking.

Other Resources for Your Online Lead Generation

  1. Lead Magnet Project (an interactive online project for professionals building relevant email lists)
  2. Lead Magnet Guide (5 essential characteristics of a lead magnet)
  3. Lead Magnet Examples (Graceful Resources email subscribers can add their own web address for free)
  4. Recommended Website and Email Software Resources (you’ll also discover why these resources are recommended – includes Typeform)

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

Brent

How You’ll Start the Lead Magnet Project

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The new Lead Magnet Project is about you.

It is about your professional dreams to serve people around the world through the web.

The Lead Magnet Project ends with the successful execution of your lead generation strategy.  How the project starts for you will be a unique and transformative experience (more on that in a moment).

As a Lead Magnet Project participant, you will:

  1. Determine you best email list building strategy
  2. Create a winning professional lead magnet
  3. Write effective copy for your opt-in form, web page, or advertisement
  4. Integrate and test your lead magnet with your email marketing service
  5. Strategically connect your lead magnet to your (current or planned) product or service through your own professionally-crafted email marketing
  6. Grow your email list and business with a relevant target audience

Free Lead Magnet Guide

LeadMagnetProject

Note about the Lead Magnet Project

The Lead Magnet Project is not another expensive and isolated online course full of modules and lessons – that may teach you what to do, but not how to do it.

Instead, the Lead Magnet Project is an inexpensive and interactive professional-managed online project – that will guide you through what to do and how to do it.

Specifically, you will be guided step-by-step through the strategic and technical steps for your new lead generation strategy.

And you control the project duration – leave after one month or stay connected. It’s up to you!

Project registration opened on Thursday 6/29 – click here to stay connected. You will also receive a 25% off discount opportunity that stays active for as long as you decide to stay connected to the Lead Magnet Project.

LeadMagnetExamples

How You’ll Start the Lead Magnet Project

Once you join the Lead Magnet Project, you will immediately have an opportunity to complete a personalized and strategic Typeform questionnaire.

(If you have never used Typeform, you are in for a real treat – click here for some Typeform examples.)

The questionnaire will help you get clear on your business goals and offerings.

Once you complete the questionnaire, you will automatically receive a copy of your responses for your own strategic planning.

While you are focused on your strategy, your Teamwork Projects account will be set up to welcome you into the Lead Magnet Project with a round of applause!

The Lead Magnet Project Starts Thursday, June 29th

Email subscribers will receive a project announcement and a special 25% off discount opportunity.

You don’t want to miss out!

Start with Your FREE Lead Magnet Guide