We all want to make more money. And making more money with every email newsletter (or sequence) you send? Yes, please!
Today’s blog post is a case study written by Tara Reid, who took and implemented my Four by For Footers training right away. The results are not typical, but it shares another perspective and example of how this email marketing strategy really works.
Let’s dig into it!
Why did you decide to buy Four by For Footers?
I noticed and loved how you set up your four by for email footer. As soon as I saw you offered to teach and share this strategy… I was sold!
I have a lot of different offers and do a lot of collaborations, so being able to strategically share more things in an email sounded great to me. I wasn’t sure what to expect in terms of results, but it seemed really easy and fun!
How quickly did you implement and set up your 4×4 email footer?
I had it planned out and set up within an hour, thanks to the Four by For Footer strategy! I loved how everything was laid out in the training, and there were definitely some things I wouldn’t have thought about that were brought up.
How quickly did you see extra sales or income from your 4×4 email footer?
After setting it up, I made a sale from my footer within an hour of sending my first email newsletter. How’s that for quick results?! I couldn’t believe it, and was really excited to see fast results.
So, basically, the cost of Four by For Footers was made back pretty much immediately after my next email.
What are your results after two months?
I’m excited to share the real numbers with you! I’ve been keeping track of the traffic and sales that come from my 4×4 footer links so I can accurately measure how effective this strategy is. I use Drip as my email marketing platform, which makes it easy to update my 4×4 and track traffic from it.
A little background info: I do have a fairly engaged email list, about 11k in size, and I typically email 2-3 times per week.
Month 1 Results: $822 Additional Revenue From My 4×4 Links
Affiliate Income: $385
My Product Sales: $437
Month 2 Results: $1,428 Additional Revenue From My 4×4 Links
Affiliate Income: $724
My Product Sales: $704
I’m able to easily link and share offers that I haven’t promoted in a while. And getting affiliate commissions are always a nice bonus!
I love that all I need to do is remember to update my 4×4 footer content snippet a few times per week – which only takes a few minutes to do. It’s a pretty incredible ROI.
Final Thoughts
If you haven’t snagged the Four by For Footers training yet, this is your sign to do so! And if you have it but haven’t implemented it, what are you waiting for? Dama is sharing her GOLD email marketing strategy here, and it’s perfect for anyone – coaches, course creators, digital product sellers, service providers, and affiliate marketers!
If you’re anything like me, you're juggling a million things at once, and your to-do list is a mile long. That’s where the magic of automation comes into play. It’s not just a fancy buzzword; it’s a huge asset for any online business looking to get more done in less time and keep the chaos at bay.
So, buckle up! Today, we're diving into some killer automation tools and strategies that’ll transform your biz from hectic to heck-yes!
Understanding Automation in Business
Think of automation as your business’s own personal assistant. It does the grunt work — from basic data entry to the fancy AI-driven decisions, so you don’t have to.
Basically, an automation is a recipe: when X happens, do Y. Create the rule once and it’ll handle that task every single time from then on forward.
Automation tools are the secret sauce to upgrading your operations, sharpening your accuracy, and, let’s be honest, making you look good by boosting that productivity.
Essential Automation Tools for Streamlining Operations
Data Automation Tools:
Let’s talk about Airtable. It’s not just another database tool; it’s your new best friend. It organizes all your stuff—from customer records to project timelines—in a super intuitive way, making it an easy yes for those of us who need to make smart, data-driven decisions without the headache of having to manipulate a lot of data, every single time.
Email Automation Tools:
Email marketing is Queen in my business: it really can’t run without it. Effective email marketing is like the heartbeat of your customer relationships, and Drip, my preferred email marketing software, is the pacemaker.
Why do I choose Drip? Because it’s majorly powerful, intuitive and easy to use, and helps make sure your messages hit the mark every time. It’s all about getting the right message to the right person without any of the guesswork.
Tools like Softr.io allow businesses to effortlessly create customized websites and web apps directly from their Airtable data, ensuring your marketing content is always fresh and engaging.
Advanced Automation Techniques for Enhanced Productivity
AI Workflow Automation:
The Marketing Magic App isn’t just for any marketer; it’s a dream come true for course creators and digital product sellers. This tool gets you, your business, and your customers. It’s all about automating your campaigns based on real behaviors and preferences. Pretty smart, huh?
Implementing Automation in Your Business
Starting is the hardest part, right? Begin by pinpointing those pesky repetitive tasks that eat up your precious time. Thrivecart is my go-to for automating the entire sales process—from the initial funnel to the final checkout, and offer delivery. It makes my sales systems smooth like butter.
Overcoming Challenges with Business Automation
While automation promises efficiency, actually setting it up can be ovewhelming due to costs and the need for technical training. Programs like Systems Over Stress teach entrepreneurs how to utilize Airtable to create robust sales dashboards, simplifying the monitoring and management of automated processes.
Embracing Automation Without Losing the Human Touch
Hey, I get it. The idea of automation might make you worry about turning your vibrant, personal business into something that feels… well, robotic.
But here’s the scoop: automation isn’t about replacing the heart and soul of your biz with cold, hard tech. It’s about amplifying your human touch, giving you more time to focus on what you love, and giving you more time for those one-on-one connections with your customers.
Automation Enhances Personalization:
Think about it—automation tools like Drip or Marketing Magic App can actually help personalize communication at scale. They analyze data to send tailored messages at just the right time. It’s about being there for your customer exactly when they need you, without you having to lift a finger every time.
Free Up Time for What Matters:
By automating the routine tasks, you’re not being pushed out of your business; you’re being pushed into the spotlight where you shine.
More free time means more opportunities to engage with your customers on a deeper level, whether that’s through live Q&A sessions, personalized consultations, or crafting content that hits right at the heart of their needs.
Automation as Your Support System:
Think of automation as the best support system you could ask for. It handles the logistics so you can focus on the human aspects of your business. From scheduling social media posts to sorting customer inquiries, these tools keep the gears moving smoothly in the background.
This allows you to remain front and center, engaging with your audience and building those meaningful relationships.
Remember, automation isn’t here to replace you—it’s here to boost you. It’s the sidekick that takes on the grunt work, so you can focus on your passions and keep adding that personal touch that your customers love.
So, let’s roll up our sleeves and use these tools to our advantage, ensuring our businesses not only survive but thrive with a personal touch that’s uniquely ours.
Final Thoughts
Automation is more than just a tech upgrade; it’s a strategic essential part of today’s biz world. It’s about making smart moves that boost productivity and efficiency without feeling overwhelmed.
So, what are you waiting for? Dive into these tools and start transforming your business into a well-oiled, automated machine that keeps your customers coming back for more.
Additional Resources
Craving more? Check out the websites for Drip, Thrivecart, and Airtable for tutorials and deep dives into making the most of automation in your business. Trust me, a little homework now means a lot of chill time later!
By embracing the right mix of automation tools and strategies, you’re not just streamlining operations. You are setting your business up for some serious growth and keeping your customer engagement strong. Let’s automate the heck out of this and make your business life a breeze!
As a strategic website and email copywriter, I talk to dozens of online business owners each month.
Many of them are in the same boat and come to me for help because…
They’re making ok sales, but realize they’re leaving money on the table.
They’re sick and tired of the low engagement rate they’ve been seeing of late.
And this increasing frustration leads to procrastination.
Which means they’re NOT writing the emails, web pages and social media posts that ultimately lead to more sales!
The traps so many of them have fallen into?
These online business owners seek inspiration from other brands.
They aren't strategic about their copy & brand messaging.
And they put themselves at the center of their copy and messaging.
Totally at no fault of their own, but simply because that’s how they’ve been taught to approach copy.
Funnily enough, the secret to their best copy yet doesn’t come down to being the loudest brand out there or tooting your own horn, it’s all about LEANing into your audience.
What is the LEAN copy method?
The signature LEAN Copy Method I teach inside my DIY audience research toolkit, The Audience Success Formula and use as the starting point for all my 1:1 client projects, comes down to one key ingredient:
Empathy.
Empathy is the mirror that allows us to see ourselves in others and shifts our focus on shared goals.
And all of a sudden, we no longer have to push a hard sell but serve & empower our audience to reach their goals instead (with us to guide them, of course!).
My circular LEAN Copy Method guides you through a repeatable copy process that makes your audience the centre of your universe for a rinse-and-repeat copy framework:
How can you tap into this process to write your best copy yet?
Everything starts with intentional conversations with your audience and a set of very strategic questions to replace assumptions with a deep first-hand understanding of:
Mental Hurdles they need to overcome
Current struggles that need fixing
The dream future they’re aspiring to
Any stigma surrounding your offer
Listening to your ideal customers is critical to copy that sells because the insights you uncover hold the key to the words, language and thought patterns they need to hear to be ready to invest in your offers.
As an online business owner, it’s your job to read between the lines, pick up patterns and extract all the goodness ready for you to repurpose the findings in your copy and messaging.
The more specific, tangible and relatable you can make your copy, the more your audience feels understood and empowered to consider you as the perfect solution.
The LEAN Copy Method is the unfair marketing advantage that helps you reframe objections, pain points, desires and false beliefs in your dream customer’s words rather than your own.
Why is this process so powerful?
LEANing into your audience allows your ideal customer to do the heavy lifting for you. And it replaces your procrastination with a ready-to-go bucket list of content ideas, expressions and messages designed to prime your audience one email, social media post or blog post at a time.
And all of a sudden, you’ve adopted a way of copywriting and marketing that:
Saves you time and headspace
Wins you more loyal customers
Allows you to show up with ease
Leads with empathy rather than pushiness
Today’s consumers are incredibly savvy and demand to feel heard, seen and truly understood. They can spot fake urgency and scarcity from a distance!
Genuine, authentic touchpoints are the empathy-led alternative to convince them to take action, whether that’s joining your mailing list, buying your course or working with you 1:1.
Not only that, empathy-driven messaging will grow brand loyalty and repeat business long-term.
Is this a once-and-done process?
Once you've tested your copy in the wild, it's time to refine your messaging based on fresh insights and conversations you’re having.
Because as the world around us evolves, so do the messages your audience needs to hear.
That’s why two-way conversations with your ideal customers are a never-ending process.
LEAN into your audience whenever you consider:
Launching new offers
Refining existing offers
Changing your niche
Rebranding
Incorporating fresh insights into your ongoing business processes will become a neverending catalyst for your best copy yet.
Best of all?
The insights you gather along the way can also spark ideas for brand new services, courses or offers your audience can't wait to get their hands on (because they told you they need them!).
The verdict?
Copy and messaging success comes down to 80% audience insights and 20% creativity.
A whole new approach to copywriting can be yours, if you’re willing to get to the bottom of the objections, pain points, desires and false beliefs standing between you and your best copy yet.
If you take away ONE thing from this post, make it this one:
Your copy success starts with your ideal customer, not your goals!
How are you going to LEAN into your audience before you write, create, launch or [insert your next bold move]?
Your FREE head-start to help you LEAN into your audience:
As entrepreneurs, we all know that capturing and maintaining your audience's attention can feel like an uphill battle sometimes. How do you stand out? Enter the strategic challenge funnel – a dynamic and interactive way to engage your audience, provide them with immense value, build your brand authority, and lead them toward your products or services, often with a post-challenge launch.
Not only does it create a stronger bond with your audience, but it also sets the stage for sustainable business growth. This guide will walk you through the ins and outs of creating a challenge funnel that captivates your audience from start to finish.
How a Challenge Funnel Works
A challenge funnel is a fun method to engage with your target audience by offering them a series of tasks or activities to complete over a set period that help them meet a specific goal. This approach not only fosters a sense of community among participants but also guides them through a journey that transforms them from casual observers to invested participants in your ecosystem.
Typically, a challenge is designed around achieving a specific result or overcoming a common obstacle that your audience faces. By the end of the challenge, participants are not only closer to their goals but are also more likely to invest in your products or services that promise to take them even further. Ask yourself, what’s something I wish my next client or customer had in place before investing in my offer? That can give you some juicy ideas for challenges you can create!
Why Challenge Funnels Work So Well
Challenge funnels are incredibly effective for several reasons:
Engagement: They promote active participation, which helps in building a deeper connection with your audience and also helps to bring their focus to your support and offers.
Value: Challenges provide immense value upfront, showcasing your expertise and the quality of your content.
Community: Participants often share their experiences and support each other, fostering a sense of belonging.
Lead Generation: By attracting participants, you're essentially collecting leads interested in your area of expertise.
Let’s dig into some strategic questions you might have (or need to answer) about creating your own challenge funnel.
1) What is the end result of the challenge for participants?
The end result should be a tangible achievement that your audience deeply desires. This outcome will serve as the primary motivator for participation.
2) How long should my challenge be?
The duration of your challenge can vary, but it should be long enough to provide value and create habit-forming behavior, yet short enough to prevent drop-off. Typically, 5 to 7 days works well.
3) What will I need to create for my challenge?
You'll need to prepare daily content, tasks, or lessons, a platform for delivering these (such as an email list or a private community like a Facebook group or Slack channel), and materials to promote signups for your challenge.
4) What is my launch plan for after the challenge?
Plan how you'll transition participants from the challenge to your offer. This could involve a special offer, a webinar, or a personalized consultation.
5) Is the challenge free or low-cost entry?
Decide on the entry fee based on your goals. Free challenges can attract more participants, while a low-cost entry can qualify leads further.
6) What tech do I need for the challenge?
This depends on how you’ll be delivering content or creating a community around the challenge. You can easily send the content via email and in a private Facebook Group if you don’t want (or currently use) other tech tools.
How to Build a Challenge Funnel
Building a challenge funnel involves several steps:
Define Your Objective: Clearly outline what you want to achieve with your challenge.
Understand Your Audience: Know what motivates your audience and what result they're seeking.
Create Engaging Content: Develop content that is both informative and interactive.
Promote Your Challenge: Use social media, email marketing, and your network to attract participants.
Facilitate the Challenge: Actively engage with participants, provide support, and keep the momentum going. This could look like a quick live training along with time for questions, or simply posting a pre-recorded training and being available to answer questions in the community.
Transition to Your Offer: Seamlessly introduce your offer towards the end of the challenge, showing how it can help participants achieve even more.
Challenge Funnel Examples
Here are a few (fictional) examples of how challenges can work for different businesses:
Fitness Challenge: A 30-day fitness challenge with daily workouts and nutrition tips, leading to a premium coaching program.
Business Challenge: A 5-day challenge to create a business plan, ending with an offer for a business strategy course.
Art Challenge: A 7-day painting challenge that concludes with an invitation to join an advanced art workshop.
By planning and executing your challenge funnel, you can significantly enhance your engagement, grow your community, and increase your sales. The key is to ensure that every aspect of the challenge is aligned with your audience's needs and your business goals.
Downsides of Hosting a Challenge before a Launch
I can’t sugar-coat this: hosting a challenge is a ton of work. You need to prepare materials in advance for both the educational/daily lessons and to promote the challenge, inviting as many folks as possible to join.
You’ll also need to do the daily work in the challenge: delivering the daily trainings, emailing updates to encourage engagement and help folks catch up who may have missed a day, answering questions in the community, and any other deliverables.
The work required to host a challenge is not for the faint of heart and you should bear in mind that after the challenge is over, or near the end of it, you’ll then transition into a launch, which adds another 5-10 days of work. Challenge funnels often take about 3 weeks, from start to finish. For those with limited availability, for health or personal reasons, a challenge funnel may be too big of a commitment.
Final Thoughts
Creating a successful challenge funnel is a lot like directing a play; it requires understanding your audience, delivering an outstanding performance, and creating a memorable closing act that leaves your audience wanting more.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you're not just promoting a product or service; you're creating an experience that resonates with your audience on a deeper level which can stay in their memory for years, even if they don’t invest further in your offers right after the challenge ends.
Remember, the ultimate goal of a challenge funnel is not just to drive sales but to build a community around your brand that thrives on mutual growth, support, and success.
So, are you ready to create a challenge that could transform not just your business, but also the lives of your participants?
If you've landed on this post, you're probably juggling more than one business and wondering if you can streamline your operations using a single Thrivecart account.
It's a great question — one that I’m asked a lot, and it’s a complicated one. As someone who's gaga for Thrivecart, I've dug deep into the nitty-gritty of using this powerful tool for more than one brand.
Heads up: this article is mostly geared towards those who want to create two businesses where the ideal client is totally different, like a fitness coaching business and an entrepreneurship for busy moms course business. While yes, there may be some overlap, in actuality, the probability is really low. That’s why you’re setting them up as two distinct brands in the first place, as exercise videos and hiring mindset really have no business being next to each other on a webpage or in an email. If you’re creating a new brand that is in an adjacent link, you can skip to the bottom.
Limitations of Using Thrivecart for Multiple Different Businesses
Single Subdomain:
First things first, Thrivecart gives you just one subdomain for checkouts (like damajue.thrivecart.com or go.damajue.com for a custom domain).
This means all your checkouts, regardless of the business, funnel through one URL. Not ideal if you want to maintain a distinct brand identity for each venture.
One Course Dashboard:
Got lots of courses and digital products?Thrivecart only includes a single course dashboard. While it keeps things simple, it also means every course you offer, across all brands, lives in one place, one login. This could confuse your students if they're expecting a dedicated brand experience.
ESP Integration Limit:
Here’s a potential biggie for multi-business owners. You can only hook up one email service provider (ESP) per Thrivecart account. That means you can only connect 1 ConvertKit account or 1 Drip account, for example, but not 2 different ConvertKit accounts.
So, if you’re planning to send customized emails for each brand using the same email service provider, you're stuck unless you get creative with workarounds.
One Account Workarounds and Compromises
Now that we’ve covered a few of the potential limitations of using one Thrivecart account for multiple businesses, let’s talk about ways that you can make one account work for you.
Hiding Courses:
You can set up your course dashboard so only enrolled students see their purchased courses. This helps prevent brand crossover and keeps your students from getting a peek at unrelated courses.
The downside of this is that a lot of people purchase when things they don’t have are shown in their course dashboard. Personally, in the first 17 weeks of 2024, I made an extra ~$6k from sales from people who explored courses in their dashboard that they didn’t yet have. That’s not an insignificant amount and definitely not money I’d be willing to sacrifice to avoid purchasing another Thrivecart license at a fraction of that cost.
Generic Branding on Course Dashboards:
In order to not confuse your customers, you’ll need to skip brand-specific info and design on your main course dashboard. Keep it generic to avoid brand confusion. So they know they’re in the right place, opt for a simple graphic showing both logos.
Using a Generic Subdomain or Embedded Carts:
Again to avoid confusion, which might cost you sales, you’ll need to use either a neutral subdomain that doesn’t favor one brand over another, like your name, or avoid subdomain issues altogether by embedding carts directly on your branded websites.
Course Login Page Adjustments:
Show both brands’ logo on the login page to set proper expectations for your users. Transparency is key to trust!
Financial and Technical Considerations
Single Payment Gateway:
Thrivecart lets you connect one PayPal and one Stripe account per account. This means all money earned, regardless of the brand, ends up in the same pot. If your businesses have different financials, this could get incredibly messy at tax time.
Email Service Provider Split:
To manage communications for different brands, you would potentially need separate ESPs. Think ConvertKit for Brand A and MailerLite for Brand B. This way, you can maintain distinct marketing strategies without stepping on your own toes. Yes, this means having to write and send double the emails, but that’s unavoidable when running two businesses anyway.
Pros and Cons of Multi-Brand Management with Thrivecart (aka using one Thrivecart account for two different brands)
Pros: Using one Thrivecart account means you only need to purchase it once and simplifies your overall business data: you can access total sales for both brands in one login.
Cons: You'll face challenges like brand confusion, limited customization options, difficulty accessing brand-specific data*, and potential customer service headaches when the lines between businesses blur.
*What I mean here: when you use one Thrivecart account for two brands, all your offers will be listed, comingled, in your products tab. All your sales will be comingled in your data dashboard. It is nearly impossible to see only Brand A’s sales or just Brand B’s as there’s no way in the dashboard to select multiple products and then run reports. You’ll have to run the reports for every single product, one by one, and then compile them in Airtable or Sheets or something. Super tedious.
Can I use Thrivecart for two brands if they’re similar and serve the same ideal client?
That’s different. If you’d feel comfortable emailing your list about both or either brands, then yes, you can confidently treat them as two brands run as one business and use a single Thrivecart account to handle all your checkouts and courses for both. This is basically my setup.
I am able to do this because customers who enjoy this blog, or buyThrivecart Template Shop courses, trainings, and templates are interested in Thrivecart, funnels, online courses, launching, digital marketing, and in many cases, automation. Customers of my eponymous brand DamaJue.com are interested in funnels, online courses, launching, digital marketing, automation, and email marketing.
The two brands serve essentially the same ideal client: someone who runs an online business and wants to sell courses or digital products. So I felt it was safe to have one email list, one Thrivecart account. I also knew that I absolutely would not want to send weekly emails separately, for each brand, or manage separate social media channels, separate launches, or separate financials.
So, can you use a single Thrivecart account for two brands? Yes. But should you?
Can you use Thrivecart for more than one business? Yes, but it comes with a “handle with care” warning. If your brands are closely related and you're okay with the compromises, and you’re willing to market them via the same channels, it might work like a charm.
However, if clear brand separation is crucial because they serve two different customers, consider other solutions or gear up for some creative problem-solving that frankly may not be worth it in the long run.
What if I only want to use two separate accounts temporarily? Again, this is another, “sure you can” situation, but consider the drawbacks: every product you create, every course, and every student will have to eventually be moved over to its own account when the business grows. Migrations are tedious and a huge time suck, plus you’ll lose historical data and create confusion and extra work for your customers.
At the time of the publishing of this post, a new Thrivecart account costs $495 for life — frankly that’s a small price to pay for all the benefits of having a dedicated system you can build on for years.
I'm stoked to walk you through the process of setting smart marketing goals that drive real results for your business. Defining clear, actionable goals is crucial for any successful marketing strategy, as they provide direction, focus, and measurable objectives to work towards.
Whether you're looking to boost brand awareness, increase website traffic, or make more sales, smart marketing goals will help you stay on track and actually make your desired outcomes happen, efficiently and without stressing yourself out in the process.
In this guide, we'll explore the basics of smart marketing goals, including what they are, why they matter, and how to create them using the SMART framework. We'll also dive into connecting your marketing goals with your overarching business goals, ensuring alignment and maximizing impact. Plus, you'll find practical examples and insights to help you craft marketing goals that best serve your specific needs.
What Are Marketing Goals?
Marketing goals are the broad, overarching aims that businesses set to achieve desired outcomes through their marketing efforts. They help provide direction and purpose for marketing strategies and campaigns. As an entrepreneur, I’m sure you’ve felt that “pulled in a million directions” feeling before and this sort of thing can really help with staying focused!
Some common examples of marketing goals include:
Increasing brand awareness and recognition
Bringing in more website traffic and online visibility
Getting in front of + converting more qualified leads and prospects
Improving customer engagement and retention rates
Making more sales and consistent revenue growth
Expanding market share and reaching new audiences (fancy way of saying: getting in front of new people!)
Marketing goals differ from marketing objectives, which are the specific, measurable, and time-bound targets set to accomplish those broader goals. While goals outline the general intentions, objectives define the actionable steps and metrics to track progress.
For instance, a marketing goal could be “increasing brand awareness,” while a corresponding objective might be “growing social media following by 5,000 in 5 months to coincide with a new product launch.”
Smart marketing goals guide all marketing activities, ensuring that resources and efforts are aligned toward achieving the desired results. They help businesses stay focused, prioritize initiatives, and measure success effectively.
Why Set Marketing Goals?
Setting clear marketing goals can have a huge impact on the success of any business.
Here's why:
Marketing Goals Provide Direction and Focus:
Marketing goals serve as a roadmap, guiding your efforts toward achieving desired outcomes. They help you identify the most impactful activities to focus your resources on, maximizing your return on investment (ROI).
Aligns with Long-Term Vision:
Well-defined marketing goals keep your business aligned with its long-term vision, preventing distractions from short-term trends or irrelevant activities.
Enables Progress Tracking:
Marketing goals allow you to set specific, measurable targets, enabling you to track your progress effectively. This helps you course-correct when needed and celebrate milestones along the way.
Promotes Accountability and Motivation:
Clear goals foster accountability and motivation within your marketing team (or you, if you’re a solopreneur). They provide a shared sense of purpose and inspire everyone to work towards achieving those targets.
Resource Allocation:
By setting marketing goals, you can better coordinate and allocate resources efficiently, ensuring that everything you do is working towards the same objectives.
Demonstrates Strategic Impact:
Aligning marketing goals with overall business objectives helps demonstrate the strategic impact of your marketing efforts, empowering you and your team to deliver tangible results.
In essence, setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time-bound) marketing goals is a critical step in developing an effective marketing strategy. It provides the foundation for success, enabling you to track performance, optimize efforts, and ultimately drive growth for your business.
Make Your Goals SMART
To ensure your marketing goals are actionable and impactful, it's crucial to make them SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable/Aspirational, Relevant, and Time-bound. Let's break down each component:
Specific:
Define clear and precise goals with quantifiable metrics. Instead of “increase website traffic,” aim for “drive 50,000 monthly website visitors from organic search by Q4.”
Measurable:
Incorporate quantifiable metrics that allow you to track progress objectively.
Examples include website traffic, lead generation, conversion rates, social media engagement, and revenue growth.
Achievable/Aspirational:
Set goals that are challenging yet realistic based on your current performance, resources, and capabilities. Stretch goals can motivate you, but they shouldn't be unrealistic.
Relevant:
Ensure your marketing goals directly support your overall business strategy and objectives. They should align with your target audience, buyer personas, and long-term vision.
Time-bound:
Establish clear deadlines or timelines for achieving your goals. This adds accountability and allows you to monitor progress effectively. For example, “increase email open rates to 40% within 4 months.”
By following the SMART framework, you'll create focused, measurable, and actionable marketing goals that align with your business priorities and drive real results.
Here are a few examples of SMART marketing goals:
Increase Website Traffic: Achieve a 25% increase in organic website traffic from the US market within 6 months by optimizing content for high-volume keywords and improving site speed.
Boost Email Engagement: Grow the email subscriber list by 10,000 and increase the average open rate to 30% by the end of Q3 through targeted lead magnets and segmented campaigns.
Enhance Social Media Presence: Double social media engagement (likes, comments, shares) across all platforms and gain 5,000 new followers in the next 5 months by implementing a consistent content calendar and influencer collaborations.
Remember, SMART goals provide clarity, focus, and measurability, enabling you to track progress, optimize strategies, and celebrate successes along the way.
Connecting Marketing Goals to Business Goals
Connecting marketing goals to overarching business objectives is important for driving meaningful impact and growth. Here's how to ensure seamless alignment:
Understand the Bigger Picture:
As a marketer, develop a deep understanding of your key objectives, whether it's increasing sales, expanding your reach, building brand awareness, or launching new products.
Set Meaningful Metrics:
Identify marketing goals that directly support business objectives, and establish meaningful metrics to track progress. Continuously analyze how marketing activities influence buyer behavior and revenue.
Account for Time Lags:
Recognize that marketing's impact on revenue, especially in B2B environments with longer sales cycles, may have a time lag. Plan for this by focusing on building a healthy sales funnel today to drive future revenue.
Align Strategies and Tactics:
Carefully evaluate and challenge marketing strategies and tactics to ensure they ladder up to the overarching business strategy. Prioritize activities that drive progress towards shared goals.
By maintaining a strategic mindset, and consistently tracking meaningful metrics, marketers can ensure their efforts are tightly coupled with the broader vision and objectives of the business, amplifying the impact of their work.
Marketing Goals Examples
To illustrate the practical application of smart marketing goals, let's explore some specific examples that businesses can implement:
1. Increase Brand Awareness:
Tell a compelling brand story that resonates with your target audience.
Identify where your ideal customers spend time online and engage with them on those platforms.
Consistently share valuable content and actively participate in conversations to build brand visibility.
2. Generate High-Quality Leads:
Utilize lead capture forms, email newsletters, and retargeting ads to capture potential leads.
Leverage content marketing and social media to attract and nurture quality leads.
Analyze trends in leads that convert to customers to refine and improve lead quality.
3. Acquire New Customers:
Implement sustainable and scalable customer acquisition tactics tailored to your business model.
Track metrics like customer acquisition cost (CAC), total new customers, churn rate, and product sign-ups.
Continuously optimize acquisition strategies based on performance data.
4. Increase Website Traffic:
Invest in paid advertising campaigns to drive targeted traffic to your site.
Monitor metrics such as annual recurring revenue, average revenue per user, and conversion rate.
Continuously optimize campaigns and tactics based on revenue performance.
By setting specific, measurable, and actionable goals aligned with these examples, businesses can effectively execute their marketing strategies and drive tangible results.
Marketing Goals Aren't Just Revenue-Driven
While revenue goals are undoubtedly crucial, successful marketing strategies encompass far more than just making sales. I believe that building a strong brand identity, fostering customer loyalty (REALLY high quality offers goes a long way for this), and establishing industry authority are equally vital objectives.
Cultivate a Strong Community:
Nurture a vibrant community of customers, clients, and industry professionals. This can lead to higher profits through repeat business, positive word-of-mouth, and a loyal customer base. Engage with your audience, provide value, and create a sense of belonging. In short, be friendly and approachable while showcasing your knowledge.
Build Brand Identity and Reputation:
Differentiate your brand by crafting a unique identity that resonates with your target audience. Consistently deliver on your brand promises, and use social media to connect with both folks who are curious about your brand and also stay top of mind with long-time fans. Initiatives like volunteering and mentoring can also enhance your brand's reputation and authority.
Become an Industry Expert:
Position yourself as a thought leader by creating high-quality content, participating in industry forums, and offering valuable advice to customers. Collaborate with micro-influencers or other well-respected experts in your niche or adjacent niches, share insights through blogs and events, and provide exceptional customer experiences that set you apart. Personally, I like doing 1:1 collabs and guest blog posts, and soon, interviews for my upcoming YouTube channel.
By pursuing these broader marketing goals alongside revenue targets, you can build a sustainable, customer-centric business that thrives on strong relationships, industry credibility, and a distinctive brand identity.
Final Thoughts
I’ll admit that sitting down and setting big, broad smart marketing goals can feel a bit intimidating or overwhelming, but I’ve found it to be a huge help and also a way to keep me focused throughout the year. By embracing the SMART framework, you can create specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound objectives that align seamlessly with your overarching business goals. These well-defined targets serve as guideposts, ensuring your marketing efforts remain focused, purposeful, and impactful.
Ultimately, smart marketing goals empower you to track progress, optimize strategies, and celebrate milestones along the journey. They foster accountability, collaboration, and a shared sense of purpose within your team. Remember, while revenue goals are crucial, a holistic approach that encompasses brand building, customer loyalty, and industry authority is key to long-term, sustainable success.
When choosing the right email marketing platform for your business, two leading contenders are Drip and ConvertKit. ConvertKit is an email marketing platform built specifically for creators, with a focus on simplicity and ease of use. It's designed to be powerful yet user-friendly, catering to the needs of online creators, bloggers, and content creators.
On the other hand, Drip is marketed as best suited for e-commerce and online sales, offering deep integrations with online stores and advanced behavioral tracking, I've found on a feature-by-feature analysis, it is really well suited to creators too.
While I personally use and love Drip for its advanced features like content snippets (check out my Four by Four Footers strategy), I’ve found that many creators aren’t even considering it, with ConvertKit being the go-to email platform for email marketing for creators. This guide will compare the key features, ease of use, deliverability, pricing, and customer support of Drip vs ConvertKit, helping you decide on the right email marketing platform for your business needs.
When it comes to key features, both Drip and ConvertKit offer robust email marketing capabilities, but with distinct strengths and approaches.
Here's a comparison of their core features:
1. Form and Landing Page Builders
ConvertKit: Includes a simple form builder and offers 4 built-in landing page templates. It can also do pop-ups on your website if the platform is supported, like WordPress.
Drip: Integrates with third-party landing page builders like Thrivecart, Instapage, Unbounce, and Leadpages. It also has a form builder and pop-up builder. Drip calls their popup builder Onsite campaigns, which is like having a a built-in ConvertBox, with slide-ins, spin-to-win popups, opt-in forms with dropdowns and radio buttons, countdown timers, and mystery sale popups. I’ve used the spin-to-win feature and my customers LOVED it. All paid Drip users have access to Onsite campaigns.
WINNER: The advantage goes to ConvertKit if you don’t have a pagebuilder (or website, like WordPress or ShowIt) and need them to host your landing pages. If you don't need a landing page builder for your freebie opt-ins and are happy to use your own site or a popup, then Drip’s Onsite steals the show.
2. Email Automation and Sequences
ConvertKit: Offers “Visual Automations” for automated sequences, rules, email sequences, and can send one-off emails, called broadcasts. You can do a lot with CK's automation builder, including create a “forever funnel” or endless nurture sequence.
Drip: Offers “Workflows” for automated sequences, rules, email sequences, and can also send one-off broadcasts (also called campaigns). Can send and receive webhooks that allow you to connect to other softwares without Zapier — this feature alone is what made me choose Drip over ConvertKit. I save hundreds of dollars each year by using webhooks instead of relying on Zapier to handle all my automations from one app to another. For the super techy, one more thing to note: you can also build automations/workflows in Drip that don't require a trigger; eg. there's no tag or form that add a subscriber into an automation; they're only added from another one of your workflows, something I use in my automations after the lead has gone through several steps and after I've had them go through a conditional/decision, like testing if they've been a subscriber for longer than X days, have or have not made a purchase, etc.
WINNER: While I think both are powerful and offer a lot of automation workflow options, Drip’s drag-and-drop visual automation builder and the webhook capability that ConvertKit doesn’t have makes Drip the winner here.
3. Segmentation and Tagging
ConvertKit: Can segment based on tag and also create custom segments for multiple conditions.
Drip: Can segment based on tag, custom field, lead score, and tagging features.
WINNER: they’re pretty equal
4. Testing and Reporting
Both platforms offer split testing and reporting on campaign performance.
WINNER: ConvertKit’s reporting has improved over the past few years, but Drip’s analytics still show a lot more data with easy-to-use filtering and reporting and are the winner here.
5. Integrations
ConvertKit: Integrates with a LOT of softwares natively, like WordPress, WooCommerce, and Teachable, as well as various apps like Zapier, etc. ConvertKit is often one of the first email softwares that third party companies set up as native integrations, making it super easy to connect to your tech stack.
Drip: Integrates with many third-party tools (like Thrivecart, including automatically tracking customer lifetime value which ConvertKit can’t do) and offers a few native integrations that ConvertKit doesn’t, like Facebook Custom Audiences and Facebook Lead Ads.
WINNER: Let’s call it a tie, although this one is more of a “it depends what other tech you use.”
Example: my favorite form builder software connects effortlessly with Airtable, but doesn't have a native integration with ConvertKit or Drip yet. But, because Drip can accept inbound webhooks (see the Automation section above), I can still connect FillOut with Drip, without Zapier.
5. Email builder
ConvertKit: clean, simple builder. Perfect for folks who want simple, more plain, less designed emails. They recently added some new design blocks but for the most part, there are not a ton of templates. You may need to know some code to design your own highly-designed, attractive email template, or purchase third party templates. The “snippet” or html block can be glitchy. A plus: tagging on link click (aka link triggers) happens right inside the builder and is easy to use.
Drip: The drag and drop style visual email builder makes it easy to design attractive, colorful emails and templates. Large template library. The easy to use drag and drop email builder was one of the biggest reasons I chose Drip over ConvertKit; I felt limited by ConvertKit’s builder. I love that Drip lets you create and save blocks, even for entire sections, that you can easily drop into an email.
WINNER: for me, this is hands-down Drip. These ease of use of their builder was one of the other big reasons I chose Drip
6. Advanced field and personalization features
Both ConvertKit and Drip offer custom fields that can be set by visual automations/workflows, conditional content via liquid code, global content snippets, and trigger links (eg. apply this tag when this link is clicked). Drip also offers expiring links and inbound and outbound webhooks, a feature I absolutely love for compiling subscriber data for tracking data in my funnels.
WINNER: they’re nearly equal, with expiring links and webhooks nudging Drip ahead as a clear winner
7. Ease of Use and User Experience
When it comes to ease of use and user experience, ConvertKit and Drip take distinct approaches that cater to different user groups.
ConvertKit excels in its simplicity and intuitive design, making it an excellent choice for bloggers, content creators, and small business owners who prioritize a user-friendly interface. The platform's clean and responsive email design and straightforward WordPress integration for opt-in forms and landing pages provide a seamless experience for those seeking an uncomplicated email marketing solution.
On the other hand, Drip's interface is more sophisticated and feature-rich, catering to marketing professionals and data enthusiasts. While this approach offers advanced customization capabilities and unique, brand-aligned email designs, it comes with a steeper learning curve. Drip's visual workflow builder and automation tools are powerful but may require more time and effort to make the most of, especially for those new to email marketing.
Drip vs ConvertKit: Which to Choose?
Ultimately, the choice between ConvertKit and Drip depends on your business's needs and the level of complexity you're comfortable with. If you value simplicity and a user-friendly experience, ConvertKit may be the better fit. However, if you are excited to make use of advanced automations, personalization, and customization features, Drip's robust features might be a better fit for you.
6. Deliverability and Spam Handling
When it comes to email deliverability and spam handling, both Drip and ConvertKit have robust systems in place to ensure your emails reach their intended recipients. However, there are some notable differences in their approaches.
Drip is widely recognized for its excellent email deliverability and proactive spam handling. The platform employs advanced techniques to maintain high inbox placement rates, including:
Automated List Hygiene: Drip makes it easy to remove inactive subscribers from your list, improving overall deliverability [6].
Reputation Monitoring: Drip closely monitors its sending reputation and takes immediate action to address any potential issues.
Spam Filtering: Drip's sophisticated spam filters effectively identify and prevent the delivery of potential spam emails.
ConvertKit, on the other hand, takes a more straightforward approach to deliverability. While it doesn't offer the same level of advanced features as Drip, ConvertKit still maintains a solid reputation with email service providers. Its key deliverability features include:
Double Opt-In: ConvertKit requires subscribers to confirm their email addresses, reducing the risk of spam complaints.
Spam Monitoring: ConvertKit monitors spam complaints and automatically unsubscribes addresses with excessive complaints.
Email Authentication: ConvertKit supports email authentication protocols like SPF and DKIM to improve deliverability.
As with any email marketing platform, deliverability can be influenced by various factors, including your content, list quality, and sending practices.
7. Pricing and Value for Money
When it comes to pricing and value for money, both Drip and ConvertKit offer competitive plans tailored to different business needs.
Here's a breakdown of their pricing structures:
ConvertKit is generally more cost-effective for smaller email lists, with plans starting at $29/month for up to 1,000 subscribers for the lower tier and a limited free plan available too. This makes it an attractive option for bloggers, content creators, and small businesses on a tight budget.
Drip, on the other hand, is slightly more expensive, with plans starting at $39/month for up to 2,500 subscribers. However, Drip offers more advanced features, such as drag-and-drop visual workflow builders with webhook capability, in-depth segmentation, and lead scoring, which can be invaluable for larger businesses or those with complex email marketing needs.
Plan
ConvertKit
Drip
Free Plan
Free plan (only includes 1 automation and 1 email sequence)
No free plan
Paid Plan
$29/month for up to 1,000 subscribers, but to be comparable with Drip, would need the Pro plan at $59/mo for 1,000 subcribers
$39/month for up to 2,500 subscribers
Free Trial
14-day free trial (no credit card required)
14-day free trial (no credit card required)
While ConvertKit may be more affordable for smaller lists, Drip's advanced capabilities and integrations can provide significant value for businesses willing to invest in a more robust email marketing solution that can scale with you as your business grows.
Ultimately, the choice between the two platforms will depend on your specific needs, budget, and the level of complexity you require.
8. Customer Support and Resources
When it comes to customer support and resources, both Drip and ConvertKit offer excellent options to assist users, albeit with slightly different approaches.
ConvertKit is widely praised for its personalized support and strong community of creators and bloggers. They provide a ‘concierge migration' service free of charge for users with over 5,000 subscribers, ensuring a smooth transition from other platforms.
Additionally, ConvertKit offers assistance in migrating forms, automations, and subscribers, even for smaller lists. Their customer support and success teams are dedicated to helping creators succeed and fostering a supportive environment.
ConvertKit Support Highlights
Free concierge migration service (for lists over 5,000 subscribers)
Assistance with migrating forms, automations, and subscribers (for smaller lists)
Personalized support and success teams
Strong community of creators and bloggers
On the other hand, Drip shines with its excellent technical support and extensive resources, including videos to accompany their support documentation. The platform offers a wealth of webinars and detailed guides to help users navigate its advanced features. Drip also provides a concierge service specifically focused on assisting with email copywriting, a valuable resource for businesses seeking professional guidance.
Drip Support Highlights
Excellent tech support via email and chat with native English speakers in the US Central time zone — they’ve saved my bacon a few times!
Frequent live webinars and detailed resources
Concierge service for email copywriting assistance
Quick and detailed responses to customer inquiries
While both platforms excel in customer support, their strengths align with their respective target audiences. ConvertKit's personalized approach and creator-focused community resonate well with bloggers and content creators, while Drip's extensive resources and technical support cater to the needs of marketing professionals and data-driven businesses.
Features Drip has that ConvertKit doesn't (and vice versa)
Only with Drip: Deep integration with Thrivecart
While both Drip and ConvertKit have a native (read: no Zaps required) integration with Thrivecart, Drip's robust API means that Thrivecart users get a lot more data, including:
Tracking lifetime value (total $ in purchases), per subscriber
See the revenue generated by every broadcast (campaign, one-time email), email series, and workflow (automation). How would knowing exactly how much revenue a specific email or workflow generated impact you + your business?! I'm willing to bet seeing those numbers would give you a motivational boost to write + automate more
Trigger an automation to run only when a customer's lifetime value exceeds a threshold, eg. after someone has purchased more than $100 with you, start them in an automation that thanks them for their business and offers them a custom coupon, for example. See image below
Tigger automations based on events in Thrivecart. See image below
Connect your customers to the products they love with product recommendations (I'm still figuring out how to use this with Thrivecart, will update when I have more to share here!)
See some of the triggers available in Drip, specifically, the lifetime value trigger:
See some of the triggers available based on events inside Thrivecart:
NOTE: as of April 2024, these advanced triggers are not yet firing reliably due to API updates that Thrivecart needs to make on their end. As of April 12, 2024, these are planned for implementation by June or July, 2024.
Only with ConvertKit: Creator referral network
ConvertKit’s creator referral network allows its users to recommend other creators to their new subscribers, and also benefit from being recommended. For several friends of mine, this has been a really nice method for growing their list and something I wish Drip had. One more thing: while both Drip and ConvertKit can integrate with SparkLoop, ConvertKit has the integration built right into their higher tier plan.
Biggest perks and annoyances
ConvertKit:
Biggest perks: Creator referral network for list growth, Sparkloop integration for collecting data like polls, etc
Biggest annoyances: glitchiness and limitations within the email builder, no webhooks, no lifetime value tracking unless you exclusively use their Stripe integration + checkouts, not the best reporting and analytics
Drip:
Biggest perks: Lifetime value tracking for Thrivecart and Shopify, Onsite campaigns (spin-to-win popups, etc), inbound/outbound webhooks, drag-and-drop email builder and visual automation builder, deep integration with Thrivecart for customer lifetime value tracking (and also being able to see how much revenue each email or automation brought in)
Biggest annoyances: no creator referral network for list growth, no countdown timer widget that you can add to emails. I embed email countdown timers with this instead.
What's the best email marketing software for course creators, Drip or ConvertKit?
While I personally use and love Drip for its advanced features and seamless integration with content snippets (a strategy I teach called Four by Four Footers), it might be a bit robust for beginner email marketers.
Choosing the right email marketing platform can go a long way towards the success of your business and marketing efforts, as it impacts your ability to effectively communicate with your audience, nurture leads, and make sales.
Both Drip and ConvertKit offer powerful solutions, but their strengths align with different business needs and user preferences.
Ultimately, the decision between Drip and ConvertKit should be based on factors such as the size of your email list, the complexity of your marketing goals and funnels, your budget, and your willingness to invest some time to get the most of the platform's features.
Not sure which email marketing platform is right for you? Check out my Email Service Matchmaker training that covers all of the most popular options and who they are best for. Whichever platform you choose, ensure it aligns with your business goals, provides the necessary features, and enhances your overall email marketing efforts.
Sales funnels aren’t just for selling your own products! Affiliate marketing is a pretty awesome method for earning passive income, but affiliate funnel success isn't just about choosing the right products to promote; it's about how you promote them. A sales funnel, specifically designed for affiliate marketing, is a powerful tool to increase conversions and maximize earnings.
This guide will walk you through building a sales funnel for affiliate marketing success, using strategies I've implemented with tools like Thrivecart, to give you a leg up on your affiliate marketing.
Understanding Sales Funnels for Affiliate Marketing
A sales funnel outlines the journey a potential customer goes through, from learning about a product to making a purchase. In affiliate marketing, this journey is crucial because it helps warm up leads to a product or service you endorse but don't own.
The essence of a successful affiliate marketing funnel is treating the promoted product as if it were your own. This approach ensures you select products with a significant commission and genuine value to your audience, much like I do with Thrivecart.
Components of an Effective Affiliate Marketing Funnel
The effectiveness of an affiliate marketing funnel lies in its components, tailored to guide potential customers through the stages of awareness, interest, decision, and action.
One of my most successful affiliate funnels is my free Thrivecart mini training funnel. I think this funnel really excels because it demonstrates thee product value through an in-depth video, making it easier for leads to understand the benefits and make a purchase decision, especially when incentives like exclusive bonuses are offered. Sidebar: check out my epic affiliate bonus for Thrivecart here.
How to Build an Affiliate Marketing Funnel
Now you know a little bit more about why and when you might want to create an affiliate marketing funnel, let’s talk about the steps:
Identifying the Right Affiliate Products
The first step is selecting products that align with your audience's needs and offer attractive commissions. You want to choose evergreen products (so you won’t have to continuously update your funnel), that will make you enough money that it’s worth the time investment.
Choose products you've used and can enthusiastically vouch for, which makes promoting easier for you and brings some major realism and authenticity to your promotions.
Creating Compelling Content
Your funnel should start with content that addresses a problem your audience faces, positioning the affiliate product as the solution. This content can be a blog post, a social media update, or a webinar, like my Thrivecart example, designed to generate interest and lead viewers to the next funnel stage.
Lead Capture
Use an opt-in page to capture email addresses by offering something of value in return, such as a free guide, a discount code, or bonus content. This step is crucial for building your email list and also following up on their interest. I have the opt-in page linked all over my website, my blog sidebar, and featured in my emails using my very affiliate marketing friendly email strategy, Four by For Footers.
Nurturing Leads
With a series of automated emails, you have an easy way to remind folks about your bonus, provide additional information about the affiliate product, share testimonials, and address common objections. This stage is about building trust and demonstrating the product's value.
Conversion
Finally, direct your nurtured leads to the affiliate product's sales page, where they can make a purchase after clicking your affiliate link. Consider offering a bonus if they purchase through your affiliate link as it can have a huge positive impact on conversion rates. This is a bit ‘extra’ but if you have time, or if its a lucrative affiliate funnel, you can also create a landing page about the product with your affiliate link and bonus, a sort of affiliate sales page. These are great for SEO!
Leveraging Bonuses in Your Affiliate Marketing Funnel
Bonuses are a really successful strategy for me when it comes to my affiliate marketing efforts. They add value to the offer and can be the tipping point for someone on the fence about making a purchase.
For instance, with Thrivecart, I provide exclusive bonuses to those who purchase through my affiliate link, treating the promotion as diligently as I would my own product. Be sure to create or choose bonuses that complement the affiliate product and enrich the buyer's experience, preferably something you can create once and can deliver with little extra work or fuss.
Best Practices for Affiliate Marketing Funnels
Optimize for Mobile: Ensure your funnel pages are mobile-friendly, as a significant portion of online traffic comes from mobile devices.
Track and Analyze: Use tools to track your funnel's performance. I use Airtable to track things, for the most part, and check on it once a month or so. Analytics will help you understand where you're losing leads and where you're converting, allowing for optimization. Start by checking how many people opt in to your affiliate funnel and how many buy within a few weeks of opting in.
Continuous Testing: Always test different elements of your funnel, from the opt-in offer to the email copy, to find what works best for your audience.
Final Thoughts
Building a sales funnel for affiliate marketing requires careful planning, a focus on providing value, and strategic use of incentives. By treating affiliate products with the same care as your products and creating a structured funnel strategy, you can significantly increase your affiliate marketing success.
Remember, the goal is to guide potential customers through a journey that not only introduces them to a product you believe in but also shows them its value, culminating in a purchase that benefits them, the product creator, and you. That’s a win-win-win!
Finding tools that streamline business operations while allowing me more creativity and a better student experience is a huge win for entrepreneurs. One such tool that has had a huge positive impact in how I manage and grow my course creator business is Softr.
As a big fan of effectiveandefficient (ok, yes, lazy) business solutions, I keep finding new ways to use Softr, and I'm excited to share some of them today.
What is Softr.io?
Softr.io is a versatile platform that allows users to create no-code websites, web apps, and portals directly from Airtable data, without any coding knowledge.
Its native (aka free) integration with Airtable, along with the no-code interface, makes it a big time-and-hassle-saver for business owners looking to improve their student and member experience with automations, filterable and searchable dashboards, and interactive course features.
Softr Pricing
Softr does have a free plan so you can test it out for yourself. I do recommend upgrading to a paid plan for extra features, like: custom domains, being able to embed blocks onto another website or inside your courses (more on that later), and remove Softr’s branding.
There are so many unique ways to use Softr in your business. Here are 8 ways that I’m currently using Softr for my course creator business to give you some ideas of how versatile it really is.
1) Using Softr For Bundle Dashboards
Thinking about hosting a bundle? Use Airtable for your submission forms so you can use Softr to pull that data into a beautiful page for your bundle buyers.
It makes it so much easier for them to sign up for the products they want and it’s so much easier vs copying & pasting all that info to a separate website.
I also keep myself organized as a bundle host with Airtable and Softr too. You can learn more about hosting your own bundle (and using Airtable + Softr) inside Bundle Formula.
2) Using Softr For FAQs
FAQ sections are vital for customer support. Using Softr, I've developed comprehensive FAQ pages for within my courses and programs that not only address common student questions but also let them explore questions others have asked, too. It also embeds beautifully inside my courses, so they don’t have to log in anywhere else.
3) Using Softr For Assets / Template Libraries
Have a digital product or course that includes a lot of resources or templates? My program Bundle Formula alone has over 100 templates inside, the library was massive! You can use Softr to set a beautiful template library that is searchable and filterable by category – your students will thank you!
I currently have this set up for ConvertBox Jumpstart and my Move to Thrivecart group program too.
4) Using Softr For Slide Deck Embeds
Ever have students asking you to share your slide decks? I don’t usually share them, as they’re my intellectual property, but occasionally I’ll use Softr to embed the slide deck inside courses, like my Google Doc workbooks viral training On Brand Fillable Workbooks. so students can thumb through them.
5) Using Softr For Resource Lists / Affiliate Links
I love using Softr to create resource lists or for sharing affiliate links. While this is a really good idea for Black Friday, it works year-round!
I share exactly how to do this (with templates and tutorials) inside Black Friday Deals. This is perfect for anyone who wants to make affiliate marketing a bigger slice of their revenue streams.
6) Using Softr For Live Q&A Replays
Softr has revolutionized how I offer value through live Q&A sessions. By sharing replays using Softr, I provide ongoing searchable access to these resources, which my students absolutely love.
7) Using Softr For Podcast Guest Episodes
Are you a speaker or looking for more speaking opportunities? Adding all of these features to your website can be time-consuming. As I do more podcast guest episodes, I’ll be using Softr to keep track of them and will then embed that list onto my speaking page.
So much easier and FASTER to update!
8) Using Softr For Popup Websites
Softr’s agility in creating popup websites has been a game-changer for launching short-term projects or events. The speed and ease with which I can set up these sites have significantly boosted my marketing campaigns.
I used Softr to build this page for my Show and Tell Contest.
After thoroughly integrating Softr into various aspects of my business, I can confidently say that its value far exceeds its cost. The time and resources saved, coupled with the increased productivity and creative freedom it offers, make Softr an indispensable tool for any business looking to save time, automate, and streamline different parts of their business.
Final Thoughts
Embracing Softr has not only optimized my business operations but also opened up new options for creativity and growth. Its user-friendly interface, coupled with powerful integration and customization capabilities, provides a solid foundation for any business looking to leverage the power of no-code solutions.
If you're on the fence about adding Softr into your tech stack, my advice is to dive in with a free account and try it out – the potential benefits are too big to ignore.
If you’re not very tech-savvy or want Softr help, you’ll definitely want to check out my Black Friday Deals training that shows you exactly how Softr works!
’ve been a funnel strategist for years and while I don’t build funnels for clients anymore, I’m still very much connected to the world of sales funnels. The one problem I see? Sometimes we are just overcomplicating the sales funnel creation process! Creating a sales funnel quickly and efficiently is essential for businesses aiming to increase their online presence and sales. Simplifying your tools can streamline this process in a major way, making it totally doaible even for beginners.
This blog post will guide you through creating a quick funnel using three powerful tools:Thrivecart, Marketing Magic App, and Drip. These tools will help you set up your offer, craft compelling copy, and automate your email sequences, ensuring a smooth journey for your potential customers from awareness to purchase.
Understanding the Basics of a Quick Sales Funnel
A sales funnel is the journey a potential customer goes through, from first learning about your business to making a purchase. It's crucial for converting leads into customers. The right tools can make this process simpler and more effective, allowing you to focus on what you do best – growing your business.
Tool 1: Setting Up Your Offer with Thrivecart
Step 1: Start by creating a $0 product in Thrivecart for your freebie.
This could be an ebook, a mini-course, or any other digital product that provides value to your potential customers. Snag some of my templates inside the Thrivecart Template Shop to make this process even faster.
Step 2: Consider adding a bump offer or an upsell in Thrivecart.
Tool 2: Crafting Your Copy with Marketing Magic App
Step 3: Use the Marketing Magic App to generate all the copy you need for your opt-in pages, thank you pages, and emails.
Struggling with the right copy for your sales funnel? This AI-powered tool can save you hours of work and ensure your copy is optimized for conversions.
Click here to see behind the scenes of how I use it and how awesome it really is! Plus, you can grab a free trial to test it out yourself.
Tool 3: Automating Email Sequences with Drip
Okay, so you don’t have to use Drip as your email marketing provider. I do and I love it, but it’s not the right choice for everyone’s needs. Click here to check out Email Service Matchmaker if you aren’t sure about the email platform you’re currently using.
Step 4: Connect Thrivecart to Drip using Thrivecart behaviors.
This integration allows you to automate the delivery of your freebie and the follow-up communications, making your funnel run smoothly without constant supervision.
Step 5: Set up your email workflow and sequence in Drip.
This should include a series of emails that nurture your leads, provide additional value, and guide them toward making a purchase.
Optimizing and Refining Your Funnel
Anytime I talk about funnels, I can’t not talk about this: they aren’t a ‘set it and forget it’ type of thing. It's important to monitor your funnel's performance and make improvements based on the data you collect. Watch your stats in both Thrivecart and Drip to see where you can optimize your funnel for better conversions.
Final Thoughts
Creating a sales funnel doesn't have to be complicated. By following these steps and leveraging the power of Thrivecart, Marketing Magic App, and Drip, you can set up a simple yet effective funnel that guides potential customers through the buying process.
Remember, the goal is to make it as easy as possible for people to learn about and purchase your products or services. With these tools, you're well on your way to achieving that goal.
