Tuesday 11 April 2017

Why I moved my tiny email list to ConvertKit

Expert bloggers have been saying for years that the money is in the list. But it still took me a very long time to actually start my newsletter, and if you're on my list you know that I'm really not very consistent with sending them.


So why did I move from Mailchimp to ConvertKit, then? I mean, with the Australian dollar so low, ConvertKit is costing me around $A40 each month, and my email list is less than 100, and 4 months after I signed up I still haven't relaunched my sign up form with an opt in, so why?

To grow my list.

My number one goal for this year is to hit 1000 subscribers for my newsletter (and to consistently send it) and I just couldn't figure out how to do that reasonably on Mailchimp, without spending even more money on another platform like LeadPages.

When I made the decision to move, I had 3 separate lists for 3 different streams, and while ConvertKit tells me I only have 76 people on my list, combined on Mailchimp there was over 100 email addresses (which adds up eventually)

With ConvertKit I've been able to create an automated welcome sequence (which I wasn't able to figure out how to do, until I read this post from Bloggers and Bacon), offer a one off content upgrade on this post about Facebook live, and I'm in the middle of creating a 14 day challenge to launch next week; all things that you can do on Mailchimp, but not easily (unless you understand segments, and groups, and have your list set up properly, which most people don't.)

But there's a big BUT

ConvertKit has a big learning curve.

If you're used to Mailchimp, the terminologies are different. And if you want to do anything fancy, you need to know how to code with HTML or CSS.

But the more you use it, the easier it becomes, and with so many bloggers jumping on board, there's plenty of help available if the ConvertKit knowledgebase can't help you (which is highly unlikely.)

And in the juggle of blogging and social media and Facebook live and newsletters, easier gets my vote, even if it means spending a few dollars to get the desired result.

Have you started a newsletter yet?
linking up with Capturing Life for #ibot 
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10 comments

  1. I have a newsletter for my children's book series and one for my kids magazine (and am about to design one for our local soccer club) but haven't done it for my blog. I've been using Mail Chimp but now I will check out the Convert Kit option!

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  2. I haven't started a newsletter yet, it's been on my to do list for ages! Must sort that out.

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  3. I found ConvertKit is so much easier to use than MailChimp. And the swapping between not-lists/multiple opt-ins - just SO EASY. Thanks for linking to the Bloggers & Bacon article too - I'm glad it helped you!

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  4. seriously did not understand it until I read that article! I have yet to use the not-lists feature, but every time I find a new thing it can do, I throw a party!

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  5. I love mailchimp but I upgraded to the paid version. I also have a small list but working towards getting numbers now

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  6. I collect emails for a newsletter, but have never sent one out. It's something I have had on the to-do list for a long time. Styled by Bec has one that goes out each week when new content goes up on the blog. I think I have 10 subscribers to that one. :)

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  7. No I don't and I'm getting motivated to get it going and actually blog again properly. Your blog and fb is very motivating at the moment and I've been following you for a while now 😜. Any instructions, how to would be very helpful indeed so I will check out bandb. You could do a new blog post!! 💪💪. I need to check out some bloggers newsletters and how they are set up! I just want it to happen without all the research and fiddling!! If you know what I mean...

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  8. I'm happy to read this, because there has been a lot of talk about Convertkit and Lead Pages, etc in an online marketing course I'm doing for photographers and it was all sounding very complcated, but it's good to know it gets easier! I may just make the switch after all!
    #teamIBOT

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  9. That's really interesting - I must say I LOVE Mailchimp and use it for my clients' newletters as well as my own, but then I've been using it for several years now and know how to set up everything correctly. Will definitely have to check it out, though!

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  10. You know I love ConvertKit too! And like you, I invested in it because I knew it would help me grow my email list. I'm getting close to 1,000 people, yay! I know you can do it too!

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