So you want to grow your email list. Me too!
Lately people have been reaching out and asking me about tools to grow their list or start a list.
There are many ways to handle email list building. It can be as simple as signing up for a free service and using a simple opt-in form or as complicated as custom opt-in forms and email sequences.
There are 3 tools that I am currently using to grow my email list.
In truth, I use 4 tools if you count WordPress. AND I DO.
[thrive_leads id='8077']
#1 ConvertKit
I just recently switched to ConvertKit and it is already rocking my world. For years, I was on MailChimp and it is a wonderful platform. I was on their free version.
However, I now want to start running email follow up sequences and ConvertKit just makes it super simple. With ConvertKit, my email sequence was up and running in 20 minutes.
That is insane!
Check out my sequence here: http://bit.ly/1X7hrNn
I searched and couldn't find a free tool that allowed for email sequencing. Before I settled on ConvertKit I did investigate several other options. There are some great options out there but the ease of use that ConvertKit offers was extremely appealing.
Try ConvertKit Today! ~ Click Here
#2 Thrive Leads
Thrive Leads is the WordPress plugin that I use to capture email addresses. It has dozens of pre-built templates ranging from Popups to slide-ins. No matter what I want to do, Thrive Leads makes it super simple. In particular, I love the fact that no code is required.
The final point is that their tracking and analytics help me decipher what content upgrade people are most interested in.
Try Thrive Leads Today! ~ Click Here
#3 Thrive Content Builder
This tool literally changed my life. It is a WordPress Landing Page builder that is a true visual editor. Because of it, I have a full on process for content upgrades. When someone enters their email address in the opt-in form, they are redirected to a thank you page. This page tells them what to expect and reminds them to confirm their email address. With Thrive Content Builder this page is created within minutes, instead of hours.
Try Thrive Content Builder Today! ~ Click Here
Conclusion
It has taken me testing quite a few different tools to finally find the ones that work best for me. These are tools that I believe in and personally use each and every day to grow my business. While these tools do require an investment, they are well worth it.​
Super tips Renee, I use Aweber.. and I clicked through your “see my process” and it’s only to opt in, which I did. I was trying to see what you meant as far a “sequence”. AWeber calls it their follow up series.. so I was trying to see what you meant. Also, your #2 video has about 3 minutes of dead space, but at least it’s at the end.
Final note, SUPER tips.. not everyone gets the point and value of an email marketing… whether they are periodic or regular clients.
Kristen,
Perhaps I should have been more clear about the sequence. My goal was to have you sign up and then see each email in the sequence. That is wild about the dead air on the video. ***hangs head****
Blog on,
-Renee’
As you know, my eyes glaze over a bit at this. But you make it understandable. Thank goodness I have you!
Susan,
Yes, you are an all Thrive gal. You run Thrive Theme, Thrive Leads and Thrive Content Builder. You are also on MailChimp.
You rock!
-Renee’
Just what I needed to read about, especially point 3 about how to create landing pages without having to pay a lot of money each month.
Katarina,
Yes, that monthly fee is what I was trying to avoid. That single fact is what led me to Thrive Content Builder and Thrive Leads. For that, I will be eternally grateful because it led me to such a wonderful set of tools.
Blog on,
-Renee’
Renee,
Love the tips and I am starting to use Optin monster. It would of been nice to try this it looks great and love the website and face book group. Thanks a lot. !
Lori English
Lori,
I hear nothing but good things about Optin Monster. Of course, I am partial to Thrive Leads but that is just me. Glad that you are enjoying the content.
Blog on,
-Renee’
It’s great how you do all that research and so happily share it with us less tech minded people, Renee. I’m with MailChimp at the moment. Love the sound of Thrive Leads – will have to investigate further. Anything that requires no coding gets a thumbs up from me.
Tamuria,
Thank you so much for your kind words. Yes, and if you ever decide to step up to Thrive Leads do let me know. I am always trying to create new tutorials.
Blog on,
-Renee’
Thanks for the article! We started with Aweber, then went to CK because of the segmenting and sequence possibilities. Then, thinking we liked the templates and fancy-ness of aweber, we went back. Big mistake. We LOVE Convert Kit! Have been back for a few weeks only and the open rates and deliver ability have been insane! So happy to be back!
Do you have to be on a Thrive theme to use Thrive tools?
Thank you!
Anne,
You do not have to be on Thrive Themes to use Thrive Tools. I have installed it for clients that use all types of themes.
In regards to Aweber vs Convert Kit, each platform has pros about them for sure.
Good Luck!
-Renee’
Really great tips in this post, Renee. I am using the free version of MailChimp as well and so far find it good. I love the other plugins you mention too, each for different reasons and what they offer. I know at some point I need to step it up and be more proactive about leads. ThriveLeads sounds great and easy to use too!
Beverley,
Yes, if you get to that point do consider Thrive Leads. Their ease of use is what makes them so truly wonderful. MailChimp is a great company.
Blog on!
-Renee’
I pray that one day I will have someone great who I adore working with to help me with this stuff!
Reba,
I wish that for you too dear.
Blog on,
-Renee’
We’ve been discussing our email marketing options for the past six months! I miss the functionality of InfusionSoft but not the price tag. We’re currently using GetResponse. I’ve heard great things about ConvertKit and Drip. Thanks for weighing in!
Meghan,
Yeah, people heart InfusionSoft but not the cost and the complication. I only hear good things otherwise. Glad that you enjoyed the post here.
Blog on,
-Renee’
Like Kristen, I use Aweber and wanted to compare that to ConvertKit that you mention – any more insights with that? Thanks for sharing you expertise and suggestions, I appreciate learning from you.
I’ll have to look into this. Making my emails simpler is definitely a goal. I have Infusionsoft for emails and may not need this tool.
Candess,
Will Infusionsoft is the big daddy of them all. I hear great things about the ability of the tool but I also hear that it is extremely complicated.
Good Luck!
-Renee’
Great tools that I have heard of, but haven’t used any of them. Currently I use the Make Theme, but keep seeing that Thrive has so many other options.
Karen,
Yeah, I love Thrive so much. They just keep making things better. There are other really wonderful tools out there but these guys are constantly improving. I haven’t heard of the Make Theme. I will check it out.
Blog on!
-Renee’
Great tools to utilize for growing your email list Renee! I had not heard of these :) Thanks for sharing this and breaking each one done so we understand what it is that they do and how they will each help us in our business :)
Joan,
You bet! These are great tools. They make my life so much easier on a daily basis.
Blog on!
-Renee’
I’m researching which one I want to use right now. I’m not in love with Mail Chimp anymore, so it’s nice to see others discuss the other options I’m’ considering. As to the popups and landing pages, do you know if they are compliant with Google’s new rules? I had just built a landing page, only to find out it wasn’t compliant and I couldn’t use it. I’d like to avoid that in the future. Thanks so much!
Jennifer,
Yeah Thrive Themes is working hard on all of these compliance issues. It is one of the things that I really love about them.
Blog On!
-Renee’
I actually have on my list this week to check out Convertkit as so many people have been raving about it and, although I have been with Aweber for years, they have irritated me for the last time.
Rachel,
I really love ConvertKit. Let me know if you have any questions.
Blog On!
-Renee’
Very informative and useful. Definitely a must try for everyone.
Lorii,
Yes, that is great to hear.
Thank You,
-Renee’
I can relate. It took me a while to find plugins I am comfortable with. Truly…it involved some serious dollars.
Lorii,
Yes and plugins are always improving as well. This is the beauty of WordPress.
Blog On!
-Renee’