Email marketing is by far the #1 asset in your business. This is especially true for service-based businesses. To grow your business, you will need to select and use an email marketing platform. I can tell you that whenever I bring up email marketing with my clients, I get this feeling their eyes start to gloss over. So, I want to keep this super simple! 

I’m going to talk about *just* five email marketing platforms. These are, in my opinion, the easiest for someone new to list building. But before I do that…

What do you need in an email marketing platform? 

There are three things you must consider when choosing your email marketing platform. 

1. Features. You want to select an email platform that will grow with you as your business expands. Some features include autoresponders, templates, spam checking, list segmenting, and tagging.
2. Integration. This is how your email platform will integrate with your other online platforms including your website and social media. 
3. Ease of use. If you can’t figure out how to use it, it’s not a good system for you. Having said that, there are always tech-savvy peeps to lend a helping hand – in exchange for some money. One thing I always look for when making any software decision is customer service. Can I call someone on the phone? That is harder and harder to do, but a definite bonus when you can!  

Some would also add cost to this list. Email marketing platforms can be spendy. But I’m a true believer in you get what you pay for. Trying to work with a platform that doesn’t offer the features you need will not only be time consuming but frustrating as hell. And time is the one commodity that is not renewable! 

Five email marketing platforms worth checking out.

OK, here we go – in alphabetical order (I’m a Capricorn, I can’t help it!).

• Constant Contact. Years ago, I started with Constant Contact. What I liked about using this platform was that it is SO easy to use. Constant Contact is for the beginner, but it comes with a $20 per month price tag.

• ConvertKit. ConvertKit focuses on engaging with your audience using landing pages, ecommerce platforms, and membership sites. You can use ConvertKit to captures leads from social media account. ConvertKit is a great choice to build automated email funnels. ConvertKit uses tagging over segregated lists. This platform doesn’t come with fancy formatting. It’s designed to get people to read, click, and buy. 

• Flodesk. Touted as the most intuitive email builder, Flodesk has a flat rate. You can have as many subscribers as you’d like. Forever. Flodesk may not be your choice if you need advanced integrations.

• Mailchimp. If budget is a concern, Mailchimp is your best option for a platform that won’t break the bank. You can use Mailchimp for free if you have less than 2,000 subscribers. This gives you time to grow your audience. I personally switched to Mailchimp. It’s a bit clunky at first so give yourself time to learn the platform.  

• MailerLite. Likely the simplest email platform, MailerLite is about giving you only want you need without the frills. It is also by far the most budget conscious in the long run. If you only need the basics, this is your platform.

How to you choose an email marketing platform? 

Examine what your business needs are and what integrations you will need. For example, do you use WooCommerce or Shopify. Be honest with yourself about your skill level. You will need to take some time to learn the new platform, just know when you’re struggling more than you need to. 

I’m not a tech person. I mean I am really not a tech person! I’ve had to learn, which is probably why I’ll stick with Mailchimp for the rest of my life – I don’t want to learn something new! It takes me too much time. Use the free trials to see what clicks for you. 

Here’s my trick: I look at the website for any new software I’m considering. If I can’t navigate their website well enough to find the information I need to make a decision that platform is not for me! Choose just two to try and give yourself a time limit. I recommend one week, no longer than two weeks. Use yourself as a subscriber and create and send yourself emails. Work through the steps of setting up some type of email capture on your website, whether that’s a pop-up, slide, or fixed. Then, using your email, subscribe. Look at the email you receive from a customer’s point of view. How did it feel? People buy based on how they feel. “I love this new dress. It makes me feel so summery.” 

Just make a decision! 

Remember, simple wins the game with email marketing. 

If it’s too complicated, you won’t use it. You need to use your email marketing platform to grow your business. It is your #1 asset – I really mean that. You’re way better off sending weekly emails over not sending them at all. As you grow and hire a virtual assistant (one can dream), you can work on refining style. Right now, it’s about consistency. Be sure to check out last weeks’ blog about how to build an email list. You need to always keep in mind that you want subscribers to opt in to your list because you’re awesome and you nurture your clients and prospects well. Next week, it’s all about freebies!