Email marketing is a critical tool for growing businesses, especially for creators and entrepreneurs who want to build an audience, nurture relationships, and generate income through digital products. In the world of email marketing platforms, ConvertKit stands out as a favorite for content creators, bloggers, and online entrepreneurs.
This article will provide an in-depth look at what ConvertKit does, who it’s best for, how people make money using it, and much more.
What ConvertKit Does
ConvertKit is an email marketing platform designed to help creators, entrepreneurs, and businesses build meaningful relationships with their audience through email marketing automation.
Unlike many other email platforms, ConvertKit is specifically built for creators, such as bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers, and online course creators, making it a powerful tool for those who rely on direct connections with their audience to drive engagement and sales.
Key Features of ConvertKit:
Email List Management
ConvertKit allows users to easily manage their email subscribers by organizing them into tags, segments, and groups. This makes it easy to personalize communication, ensuring that each subscriber receives the right message at the right time.Visual Automation Builder
One of ConvertKit’s most powerful features is its visual automation builder, which allows users to create sophisticated email sequences based on user behavior. This makes it easy to automate email campaigns that nurture leads, promote products, and convert subscribers into paying customers.Landing Pages and Forms
ConvertKit offers landing page and form builders that allow users to create opt-in forms and landing pages to capture email subscribers. These tools are easy to use, and you can fully customize the look and feel of the forms to match your brand.Tagging and Segmentation
With ConvertKit’s robust tagging and segmentation features, users can categorize their audience based on different behaviors, such as signing up for a webinar or purchasing a product. This enables highly targeted email campaigns, which lead to higher engagement and conversions.Broadcast Emails
ConvertKit allows users to send broadcast emails (one-off emails) to specific groups or their entire list. Whether it’s a newsletter, a product announcement, or an event promotion, broadcast emails are easy to set up and track.Email Sequences
ConvertKit's email sequences are perfect for sending a series of automated emails based on a particular trigger, such as when someone subscribes to a mailing list. These sequences are designed to nurture relationships and guide subscribers through a journey toward becoming paying customers.Commerce Integration
ConvertKit also has a commerce feature that allows users to sell digital products like eBooks, courses, and memberships directly from the platform. This integration makes it easy to monetize an audience without needing additional e-commerce tools.Analytics and Reporting
ConvertKit provides users with insights into how their emails are performing through detailed analytics. You can track open rates, click-through rates, conversions, and other key metrics to ensure your campaigns are effective.
Who ConvertKit Is Best For
ConvertKit is tailor-made for content creators, entrepreneurs, and small businesses that prioritize engaging with their audience in a meaningful way. Here's a breakdown of who benefits the most from using ConvertKit:
Bloggers
Bloggers who want to grow their email lists, engage their readers, and monetize their audience will find ConvertKit invaluable. With features like opt-in forms, email automation, and segmentation, bloggers can easily build an engaged community and promote products or services to the right people.Online Course Creators
ConvertKit is ideal for online course creators who need to nurture leads and drive sales. The platform’s email sequences allow for strategic, automated follow-ups, making it easier to turn interested subscribers into paying students.Podcasters
Podcasters can use ConvertKit to capture email subscribers from their audience and send tailored email updates or exclusive content. The platform’s automation tools can also help podcasters promote new episodes, sponsorships, or products.E-Commerce Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs who sell digital products like eBooks, templates, or online courses can benefit from ConvertKit’s built-in commerce tools. By integrating email marketing with sales funnels, entrepreneurs can increase sales and build long-lasting relationships with their customers.Authors and Writers
Authors who want to engage with their readers and promote book launches or writing workshops can use ConvertKit to create a direct line of communication with their audience. The platform makes it easy to segment readers based on their interests and send personalized content.Coaches and Consultants
Coaches and consultants who provide services or digital products can use ConvertKit to nurture leads, keep clients engaged, and sell courses or membership programs.
In general, ConvertKit is best for anyone who wants to grow an engaged audience, sell digital products, and leverage email marketing automation to streamline their business operations.
What ConvertKit Is Best For
ConvertKit excels in specific areas that make it a top choice for content creators and entrepreneurs:
Email Automation
ConvertKit's email automation is one of its standout features. The visual automation builder is easy to use and allows users to create complex workflows that are triggered by user actions (such as signing up for a list, purchasing a product, or clicking a link). These workflows ensure that subscribers receive the right messages at the right time.Audience Segmentation
ConvertKit's tagging and segmentation capabilities allow users to send highly targeted emails. By segmenting subscribers based on behavior or interests, you can deliver personalized messages, which leads to higher engagement rates.Landing Pages and Forms
ConvertKit is known for its landing pages and forms feature, which is a great way to grow your email list. The templates are customizable, easy to use, and built for conversions, making it simple to capture leads.Ease of Use
Unlike some more complex email marketing platforms, ConvertKit is known for its user-friendly interface. Its drag-and-drop editor, visual automation, and pre-designed templates make it accessible even for beginners.Commerce for Digital Products
ConvertKit's commerce features, which allow users to sell digital products directly from the platform, make it an attractive option for creators looking to monetize their audience. This built-in feature eliminates the need for third-party e-commerce tools, streamlining the selling process.Deliverability
ConvertKit is known for its strong email deliverability rates. This ensures that your emails reach the inbox rather than the spam folder, which is crucial for engagement and conversions.
Is ConvertKit Hard to Learn and Use?
ConvertKit is widely regarded as a beginner-friendly platform that is easy to learn and use, even for those with little to no experience in email marketing. Here are some reasons why ConvertKit is user-friendly:
Intuitive Interface
ConvertKit’s dashboard is clean and simple, making it easy to navigate for beginners. The platform doesn't overwhelm users with too many complex features at the outset, which can be a common issue with other email marketing platforms.Drag-and-Drop Editor
The drag-and-drop interface allows users to create emails, landing pages, and opt-in forms without needing to know HTML or coding. This makes it easy to build professional-looking campaigns with minimal effort.Visual Automation Builder
ConvertKit’s visual automation builder is one of the easiest to use on the market. It’s straightforward to create workflows that guide your subscribers through a series of emails based on their behavior. The builder allows you to visualize the entire email journey, making it easier to map out and adjust as needed.Onboarding Process and Support
ConvertKit provides a robust onboarding process with tutorials, webinars, and detailed guides to help new users set up their accounts and start using the platform. Additionally, ConvertKit offers live chat support and a knowledge base to assist users when needed.
User Feedback on Ease of Use
Most users report that ConvertKit is easy to learn and implement.
The majority of feedback highlights the simplicity of the interface, which allows users to focus more on building their audience and creating content, rather than spending time managing the technology.
How People Make Money Using ConvertKit
ConvertKit provides creators with several ways to monetize their audience. Here’s how people are using ConvertKit to generate income:
Selling Digital Products
One of ConvertKit’s standout features is its integration with digital product sales. Creators can sell eBooks, courses, templates, or other digital downloads directly to their subscribers using ConvertKit’s commerce tools. This makes it easy to process payments and deliver products.Building and Selling Online Courses
Many creators use ConvertKit to promote and sell online courses. By building an email list and using automation sequences, creators can nurture leads through the sales funnel and encourage them to purchase their courses.Affiliate Marketing
ConvertKit is popular among affiliate marketers who use email marketing to promote products and services. By building an engaged list and sending targeted emails, affiliate marketers can drive traffic to their affiliate offers and earn commissions.Membership Sites and Subscriptions
ConvertKit makes it easy for creators to promote membership sites or subscription-based services. By automating the onboarding process and sending exclusive content to members, creators can generate recurring revenue through subscriptions.Freelance Services and Consulting
Freelancers and consultants use ConvertKit to promote their services, such as writing, graphic design, or business coaching. By nurturing leads through email, they can offer free consultations or exclusive packages to convert subscribers into paying clients.
What You Can Sell Using ConvertKit
ConvertKit is versatile and allows creators to sell a wide range of digital products and services. Here’s what you can sell using ConvertKit:
E-books and PDFs
Authors and content creators can use ConvertKit to sell e-books, guides, and PDF resources directly to their audience. The platform makes it easy to create product pages and manage sales.Online Courses
Online course creators can promote and sell courses using ConvertKit’s automation sequences, nurturing subscribers with educational content that leads to a purchase.Coaching Services
Coaches and consultants can offer their services through ConvertKit by building relationships with their subscribers and sending targeted emails to promote their coaching packages.Webinars and Workshops
ConvertKit is perfect for promoting webinars and online workshops. You can build landing pages to capture leads, send reminder emails, and offer post-webinar upsells to maximize revenue.Membership Programs
ConvertKit supports creators who run membership programs by offering tools for subscriber management, exclusive content delivery, and email sequences that drive engagement and retention.Templates and Downloads
Creators who design templates or other downloadable products (like photography presets, spreadsheets, or design kits) can sell these products through ConvertKit's commerce features.
Who Uses ConvertKit?
ConvertKit is trusted by a wide range of content creators and entrepreneurs, including some notable figures in the online business world. Here are 10 people or companies that use ConvertKit and how they benefit from it:
Pat Flynn – Founder of Smart Passive Income, Pat Flynn uses ConvertKit to engage with his audience, promote his online courses, and send email newsletters that help build his personal brand.
James Clear – The best-selling author of Atomic Habits, James Clear uses ConvertKit to send his popular newsletter, which reaches millions of subscribers each week.
Tim Ferriss – Known for The 4-Hour Workweek, Tim Ferriss leverages ConvertKit’s email automation to promote his blog content and online products.
Darren Rowse – Founder of ProBlogger, Darren uses ConvertKit to engage with his blogging audience and promote his blogging courses and resources.
Vanessa Lau – A popular YouTube content creator and online business coach, Vanessa uses ConvertKit to grow her email list and sell her digital products.
Melyssa Griffin – Online business expert and creator of The Profitable Creator Course, Melyssa uses ConvertKit to promote her products and nurture relationships with her subscribers.
Nathan Barry – ConvertKit’s founder, Nathan uses his own platform to build relationships with other creators and promote the features and benefits of ConvertKit.
Gretchen Rubin – Best-selling author of The Happiness Project, Gretchen uses ConvertKit to connect with her audience through newsletters and course promotions.
Amy Porterfield – A leading expert in digital marketing, Amy uses ConvertKit to promote her courses, webinars, and email marketing strategies.
Chalene Johnson – A fitness and business expert, Chalene uses ConvertKit to build relationships with her audience, promote her podcast, and sell her online programs.
These creators rely on ConvertKit’s email automation, segmentation, and commerce features to grow their businesses and engage their audience.
ConvertKit Pricing: How Much ConvertKit Costs
ConvertKit offers three main pricing tiers based on the size of your email list. Pricing is straightforward and scales as your business grows. Here’s a breakdown of the pricing as of 2024:
Free Plan
- Price: Free
- Features: Up to 300 subscribers, unlimited landing pages, and forms. The free plan does not include automated email sequences but is a great option for beginners.
Creator Plan
- Price: Starting at $15/month for up to 300 subscribers (pricing scales with list size)
- Features: All free plan features, plus automated email sequences, visual automation, and integrations.
Creator Pro Plan
- Price: Starting at $29/month for up to 300 subscribers (pricing scales with list size)
- Features: All Creator Plan features, plus advanced reporting, priority support, and additional team members.
Annual payment plans are available with discounts, making ConvertKit even more affordable for long-term users.
ConvertKit Alternatives: Similar Tools Available
While ConvertKit is a powerful tool, there are other email marketing platforms that can be considered as alternatives. Here are three popular options and how they compare to ConvertKit:
- Mailchimp
- Comparison: Mailchimp is a popular email marketing tool known for its wide range of integrations and ease of use. However, Mailchimp is more of a general email platform, whereas ConvertKit is designed specifically for creators. Mailchimp's automation features are not as robust as ConvertKit’s, but it’s a good option for small businesses on a budget.
- Price: Free plan available, paid plans start at $11/month.
- ActiveCampaign
- Comparison: ActiveCampaign is a powerful email marketing and automation platform that offers more advanced features than ConvertKit, such as in-depth CRM and sales automation tools. However, it comes with a steeper learning curve and is better suited for more advanced marketers.
- Price: Starts at $15/month for 500 contacts.
- AWeber
- Comparison: AWeber is one of the older email marketing platforms, offering a solid feature set that includes automation, tagging, and segmenting. While it’s a reliable platform, ConvertKit stands out for its ease of use and specific focus on creators.
- Price: Free plan available, paid plans start at $19/month.
Frequently Asked Questions About ConvertKit
Here are the 20 most frequently asked questions about ConvertKit, along with their respective answers:
- What is ConvertKit?
ConvertKit is an email marketing platform designed specifically for creators, offering tools for email automation, segmentation, and selling digital products. - Is ConvertKit free?
Yes, ConvertKit offers a free plan with basic features, but for advanced functionality, you’ll need to upgrade to a paid plan. - What is the difference between ConvertKit and Mailchimp?
ConvertKit is designed for creators and offers more robust automation and segmentation features, while Mailchimp is a general email platform better suited for small businesses. - Does ConvertKit offer landing pages?
Yes, ConvertKit offers landing page and opt-in form builders to help users capture email subscribers. - Can I use ConvertKit for e-commerce?
Yes, ConvertKit allows you to sell digital products directly from the platform. - Is ConvertKit mobile-friendly?
Yes, ConvertKit emails and landing pages are mobile-responsive. - Does ConvertKit have email templates?
ConvertKit offers email templates, but they are simple and minimalist compared to other platforms. - Can I create email sequences in ConvertKit?
Yes, ConvertKit allows you to create automated email sequences to nurture leads and promote products. - How does ConvertKit compare to ActiveCampaign?
ConvertKit is easier to use and focuses on creators, while ActiveCampaign offers more advanced marketing automation features for larger businesses. - Does ConvertKit offer customer support?
Yes, ConvertKit offers live chat support, a knowledge base, and email support. - Can I import my contacts to ConvertKit?
Yes, you can easily import contacts from another platform into ConvertKit. - Is ConvertKit GDPR compliant?
Yes, ConvertKit offers features to help users comply with GDPR regulations. - Can I send broadcast emails with ConvertKit?
Yes, you can send broadcast emails to your entire list or specific segments. - Does ConvertKit integrate with WordPress?
Yes, ConvertKit integrates with WordPress via a plugin for easy form embedding. - Can I use ConvertKit for affiliate marketing?
Yes, ConvertKit allows affiliate marketing, but be sure to comply with their terms of service. - Does ConvertKit charge for subscribers?
ConvertKit’s pricing is based on the number of subscribers, with pricing tiers scaling as your list grows. - Does ConvertKit have A/B testing?
Yes, ConvertKit offers A/B testing for email subject lines. - Can I use ConvertKit to host webinars?
While ConvertKit doesn’t have built-in webinar hosting, it integrates with platforms like Zoom to promote and manage webinar signups. - Does ConvertKit offer a money-back guarantee?
ConvertKit does not have a general money-back guarantee, but users can cancel their subscriptions at any time. - What integrations does ConvertKit offer?
ConvertKit integrates with various tools such as WordPress, Shopify, Zapier, and more.
ConvertKit Guarantee
ConvertKit offers a 14-day free trial for users who want to explore its features before committing to a paid plan.
During this trial period, users can access most of the core features, allowing them to test the platform’s functionality and see if it fits their needs.
ConvertKit does not have a standard money-back guarantee for paid plans, but users can cancel their subscription at any time without incurring additional fees.
Why ConvertKit Is a Valuable Tool for Your Business
ConvertKit is a highly valuable tool for content creators, entrepreneurs, and small businesses looking to grow and engage with their audience through email marketing.
With its easy-to-use interface, powerful automation features, and integrated commerce tools, ConvertKit offers a unique solution for those looking to monetize their audience and streamline their marketing efforts.
If you're ready to take your email marketing to the next level, visit ConvertKit’s official site and sign up for a 14-day free trial today!
