We all know Zoom has been the go-to video conferencing tool for ages, but let’s face it, sometimes we need a change. Whether it’s the clunky UI, the cost, or the desire for something fresh, exploring other options can be a game-changer for recording your course lesson videos. Today, I’m exploring the best alternatives to Zoom that can make your course creation process smoother and more enjoyable. Let’s get to it!
Why Look for Zoom Alternatives?
Zoom is great, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not perfect. The right video conferencing tool can make a huge difference in your workflow, from recording quality to ease of use. As a course creator, you need a tool that not only gets the job done but also enhances your recording experience.
So, if you’re tired of dealing with Zoom’s quirks or just curious about other options, keep reading!
What to Look for in a Video Conferencing Tool
When choosing a video conferencing tool, especially for recording course lessons, you want to consider a few key factors:
User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX): It should be intuitive and easy to navigate.
Recording Quality and Storage Options: High-quality recordings are a must, and having flexible storage options is a bonus.
Integration with Other Tools: Seamless integration with your LMS or other tools can save you loads of time.
Cost-Effectiveness: We all love a good deal, right?
Customer Support and Reliability: Because who wants to be left hanging when things go wrong?
While I personally love Zoom, Butter is a fantastic tool that’s perfect for course creators. It’s designed to be super user-friendly, making it easy to set up and start recording. The interface is sleek and intuitive, which means you spend less time figuring things out and more time creating awesome content.
Why Butter Rocks for Course Creators:
Interactive Features: Butter comes with built-in polls, timers, and breakout rooms to make your sessions engaging.
High-Quality Recordings: Your videos will look and sound top-notch.
Easy Integration: It plays well with other tools you’re probably already using.
It also has a desktop app, which is a big must for me as I don’t love when my video conference call is trapped in a browser or tab. If you haven’t tried Butter yet, you’re missing out! It’s my top pick for a Zoom alternative.
Whereby – A Solid Competitor
Next up, we have Whereby. Now, while I’m not head-over-heels in love with it, it’s definitely a step up from Google Meet (which, let’s be honest, has a UI that’s kinda meh). Whereby is simple and straightforward, which can be a blessing when you’re knee-deep in course creation.
Why Consider Whereby:
No Downloads Needed: It’s entirely browser-based, so no more “Download this app” prompts.
Good for Small Groups: Ideal if you’re working with a small team or recording solo.
Decent Integration: Works with various tools, though not as seamlessly as Butter.
Whereby might not be perfect, but it’s a reliable choice if you’re looking for something different.
Zoom Alternatives to Avoid
Alright, time for some real talk.
Google Meet?Not a fan. The UI just doesn’t cut it for me, especially when I’m trying to focus on delivering quality content. It’s clunky and not the most intuitive. Whereby is a slightly better option, but it still doesn’t top Butter or Zoom in my book.
The Role of a Good Video Conferencing Tool in Course Creation
Using the right tool can make or break your course creation process. A good video conferencing tool helps you:
Create High-Quality Content: Clear video and audio are essential.
Engage Your Students: Interactive features can make your lessons more engaging.
Save Time: Tools that integrate well with your existing setup can streamline your workflow.
Final Thoughts
To wrap it all up, while Zoom is a solid choice, exploring alternatives like Butter and Whereby can elevate your course creation game. Butter stands out as my top recommendation as a Zoom alternative, thanks to its user-friendly interface and fantastic features tailored for educators like you.
Ready to take your course creation to the next level? Check out my training, Ready, Set: Course, for more tips and strategies on creating, editing, and publishing, course lessons. And don’t forget to look into Replay Ready Recordings to ensure your course videos from Zoom are top-notch.
Let’s make your course creation journey as smooth as butter (oof, bad pun)!
The digital product market is booming, and there’s a huge demand for high-quality spreadsheets. Whether you’re helping businesses track their finances or giving busy entrepreneurs a way to manage their projects, creating beautiful and functional spreadsheets can be your next big hit.
Today, we’ll dive into how you can craft these gems in Google Sheets and turn them into profitable digital products.
And guess what?Spot-On Spreadsheets is here to make the whole process a breeze. Let’s get into it!
1. Identify Your Niche and Audience
First things first: who’s going to use your spreadsheet? Is it for financial planning, project management, or maybe marketing analytics? Knowing your niche and understanding your audience’s needs is crucial.
Are they course creators looking for a sales tracker? Digital product sellers needing an inventory manager? Pinpoint your market and cater to their specific pain points.
2. Plan and Design with Purpose
Now that you know who you’re designing for, let’s talk layout. A clear, well-thought-out structure is key. Your spreadsheet should be as intuitive as it is pretty.
Think about the flow of information: where does it start, and where does it lead the user?
Map out your sections and decide on a layout that makes sense for the task at hand.
What math can your spreadsheet do for them? Plan your spreadsheet around the inputs they’ll need to enter so your spreadsheet can do the math for them.
3. Organize Your Data Effectively
A pretty spreadsheet is useless if it’s not organized. Categorize your data logically. Use headers, labels, and group related information together.
For instance, if you’re creating a business spreadsheet, separate your income, expenses, and projections. This way, your users can easily navigate and find what they need without faffing around.
4. Leverage Google Sheets Features
Google Sheets is packed with features that can make your spreadsheet both functional and fabulous. Start with the basics: sorting, filtering, and data validation to keep things tidy.
Then, get fancy with conditional formatting to highlight key info and pivot tables for dynamic data summaries. Automate tasks with formulas like SUM, AVERAGE, and VLOOKUP to add serious value to your product.
5. Aesthetic Enhancements
Let’s talk aesthetics. Your spreadsheet should be a feast for the eyes. Choose color schemes that are easy on the eyes but still vibrant. Consistent fonts and styles go a long way. Borders, shading, and merging cells can help distinguish sections and guide the user’s eye.
Remember, you’re not just making a spreadsheet — you’re creating a helpful resource.
6. Adding Visual Elements
Visuals are unexpected and yet can have a huge impact on the visual appeal and perceived value of your spreadsheet, in addition to making it extra easy for your customers to see the trends and takeaways from their data. Charts, graphs, and images can transform raw data into insights fast. Google Sheets makes it easy to create these visual elements.
Whether it’s a pie chart showing expense breakdowns or a line graph tracking sales trends, choose visuals that best represent your data. This not only makes your spreadsheet pretty but also more useful.
7. Testing and Feedback
Before you hit the market, test your spreadsheet. Ensure it’s user-friendly and error-free. Get feedback from a small group of beta testers. Their insights can be invaluable for tweaks and improvements. This step is crucial to ensure your product is top-notch and ready for sale.
8. Packaging and Presentation
Your spreadsheet is ready! Now, let’s package it for sale. Consider creating a PDF guide or an instructional video to accompany it. This adds value and helps your customers get the most out of your product.
Don’t forget to create stunning mockups and preview images to showcase your spreadsheet online — first impressions matter!
9. Marketing and Selling Your Spreadsheet
Time to get your spreadsheet out there! Use SEO, social media, and email marketing to promote your product. When you’re just getting started, platforms like Etsy, Gumroad, or your own website are great places to sell, just be mindful of how much the platform keeps from every sale. Highlight how your beautiful and useful spreadsheet can solve your audience’s problems.
Not Tech Savvy? Get Spot-On Spreadsheets
Let me give a quick shout-out to Spot-On Spreadsheets. It’s designed to help creators like you produce and sell gorgeous, functional spreadsheets effortlessly. Don’t just take my word for it — check out what other creators have to say and see how it’s changed their spreadsheet game.
Creating and selling beautiful, functional spreadsheets isn’t just about making something that looks good—it’s about providing a valuable tool that meets your audience’s needs. With a bit of planning, some Google Sheets magic, and a sprinkle of aesthetic flair, you can turn your spreadsheets into a sought-after digital product. And for a seamless creation process, Spot-On Spreadsheets is your best friend.
I firmly believe that accessibility for digital products and courses isn’t just a nice-to-have but a must-have, so finding tools that streamline your workflow, vastly improve your course’s accessibility, and amp up your content game is crucial. Enter Castmagic, an AI-powered tool that’s seriously changed how I handle content creation and management as well as my course creation workflow. This Castmagic review is all about how this tool, with its ability to extract summaries and transform long-form audio into snappy, engaging content and subtitle my course lessons.
Staying ahead of the digital curve means leveraging cutting-edge tech, and Castmagic is perfect for that. While I don’t have a podcast, I do create a ton of video content for various programs, and Castmagic has been a lifesaver in that department. It helps generate timestamps, create concise summaries, repurpose content to boost reach and engagement and save my brain from having to come up with content ideas.
In this Castmagic review, I’ll dive into the features of Castmagic that I find most useful, show you how it has had a really positive impact on my business, and share tips on how you can make the most of this AI-powered tool, no matter your niche or industry.
What is Castmagic?
Castmagic is a cutting-edge AI-powered tool that revolutionizes how businesses manage and repurpose digital content. It’s a one-stop workspace where you can transform audio and video into actionable, growth-driving content. Perfect for folks like me who create a lot of video content but don’t necessarily run a podcast.
Overview of Castmagic
At its core, Castmagic makes content creation a breeze by letting users import media from multiple sources — whether it’s file uploads, YouTube, Vimeo, RSS feeds, or direct recordings via its mobile app. Once you’ve got your media in, Castmagic’s robust AI takes over, transcribing the audio or video, cleaning up filler words, and segmenting the content by speakers for ultimate clarity and usability.
Core Features and Benefits
One standout feature of Castmagic is its ability to churn out high-quality transcripts. These aren’t just accurate; they come with speaker labels and timestamps, making it super easy to whip up detailed show notes, summaries, and even full-length articles. I can also export detailed, timestamped subtitles as an SRT file which allow me to have closed-captioning (subtitles) on my course videos – one of my favorite accessibility features to offer.
But that’s not all — Castmagic lets you create a wide variety of content types from a single media file. Think social media posts, email newsletters, blog entries, and more. For businesses looking to streamline content production, Castmagic’s tools automate editing and copywriting, turning extensive media libraries into valuable content assets quickly and efficiently.
And if you’re working with a global audience, Castmagic has you covered with support for over 60 languages. Whether you’re drafting content for client follow-ups, creating engaging social media carousels, or generating lead magnets, Castmagic gives you the tools to maximize your digital content’s impact without the heavy lifting.
Features of Castmagic I Find Most Useful
Transcription and Summarization
One of the standout features of Castmagic is its ability to transcribe audio and video files quickly and accurately. This tool not only transcribes but also summarizes the content, saving me tons of time. It can remove filler words and splits speech by speaker, making the content clear and easy to navigate. This is a lifesaver when I need to create precise and concise summaries from my video content for my course students.
Not only is the transcript helpful, I absolutely LOVE being able to export the transcript as a closed-caption file to add to my videos which my students who are hard of hearing or really benefit from subtitles love, like folks with ADHD.
Content Generation for Social Media
Castmagic truly shines in generating multiple content forms from a single transcription. With features like MagicChat, I can easily and quickly turn transcripts into engaging blog posts, social media updates, and even email newsletters.
It helps me craft captivating posts by pulling out key quotes and highlights from the content. This not has a nice effect on my social media presence but also makes sure that the content stays consistent and true to my brand voice.
SEO Enhancements
Another gem in Castmagic’s toolkit is its built-in SEO tools that optimize content for better search engine visibility. By analyzing the transcribed text, Castmagic suggests relevant keywords and meta descriptions and helps structure content to be SEO-friendly.
This feature has been really helpful in driving organic traffic to my site, making it easier for potential clients to find my offers and blog through search engines.
How Castmagic Has Changed My Business Operations
Content Creation Process
Since integrating Castmagic into my workflow, managing and transforming audio and video content has become a breeze. Repurposing content across different platforms used to be a daunting and time-consuming task.
Now, with Castmagic, I can upload any media file — whether it’s from YouTube, Vimeo, or direct recordings — and the platform’s AI-powered tools swiftly transcribe and analyze the content. This lets me create a variety of content forms, from detailed blog posts to engaging social media updates, all perfectly tailored to the unique context of each recording.
The AI rewriters in Castmagic use advanced natural language processing and machine learning to enhance content quality, making it more engaging and SEO-friendly. This is especially handy for crafting compelling marketing copy and optimized website content that resonates with my audience and boosts online visibility.
Time and Cost Savings
One of the biggest game-changers with Castmagic has been the considerable time and cost savings. The tool automates much of the content creation and optimization process, freeing up hours each week that I can now dedicate to other critical areas of my business.
What used to take me 3 to 20 hours a week now takes a fraction of the time, thanks to Castmagic’s efficiency in repurposing a single media file into multiple content assets.
Plus, with its machine learning algorithms, Castmagic keeps getting smarter and better from the content it processes. This ensures the content not only meets high-quality standards but also stays error-free and original, cutting down on the need for extensive manual oversight and further reducing operational costs.
Since I started adding these powerful AI tools into my tech stack and workflows, I’ve been able to save time, cut costs, and scale my content production without compromising on quality.
Final Thoughts
Exploring Castmagic’s features and real-world applications has shown just how this AI-powered tool has revolutionized the management and repurposing of video content. Even for business owners like me who don’t run a podcast but regularly create videos, Castmagic is a game-changer.
Its ability to create timestamps, craft meticulous summaries, and seamlessly repurpose content highlights its transformative potential. These features not only streamline the content creation process but also amplify reach and engagement across various platforms, showcasing the immense value Castmagic brings to digital content strategies.
Integrating Castmagic into my workflow has marked a significant leap forward in my approach to digital content creation. The tool has delivered tremendous time and cost savings while boosting content quality and SEO performance. This experience underscores the importance of embracing innovative technologies to stay ahead.
If you’re looking to streamline your content creation game, give Castmagic a try! Don’t forget to check out my blog post on more of my favorite AI tools, which offers insights into optimizing digital content for greater impact and engagement in your business.
Want to see Castmagic in action, and learn my step-by-step complete course creation workflow, from mapping out a course or training idea, creating slides (or not!), recording, editing, and publishing, including a Castmagic tutorial? Don’t miss Ready, Set: Course!
If you’re anything like me, you probably have a love-hate relationship with tech. We adore the efficiency it promises, but when things get too complex, it can feel like the tech is running us instead of the other way around. Let’s break it down and see why simplifying your tech stack can be a total game-changer for your business.
What is a Tech Stack Anyway?
Think of your tech stack as the collection of all the digital tools and platforms you use to run your business. From your eCommerce setup to your marketing tools, it’s everything that powers your online empire.
The Beauty of Simplification
Now, I’m not saying you should ditch all your tools and go back to pen and paper (though I know that might sound tempting to those of you who don’t love tech like I do!). The goal here is to streamline.
Whether you’re running an eCommerce store or managing a B2B marketing operation, a simplified tech stack means less time wrestling with tech and more time focusing on what you do best.
Why Tech Bloat is Your Enemy
Let’s face it: too many tools can slow you down.
Here’s what happens with an overly complex tech stack:
Tech Stack Bloat: You end up paying for tools you don’t need, which means wasted resources. Plus, it’s a nightmare to manage.
Manual Processes: Too many manual tasks? That’s time you could spend on growth and innovation.
Cloud Computing Challenges: Cloud services are excellent for scalability, but they can also bring security headaches.
The Vendor Juggle
Managing multiple SaaS vendors can be a real pain. It leads to increased risks and operational burdens. The more tools you have, the harder it is to keep everything in sync and secure.
Data Security Risks
A complex tech stack is a playground for security vulnerabilities. The more integrations and third-party tools you have, the higher the risk of data breaches. Simplifying helps you keep a tighter grip on your data security.
The Perks of a Streamlined Tech Stack
So, what’s in it for you if you simplify your tech stack?
Better Website Performance: Every tool that needs access to your website can slow down your site speed. Fewer tools mean faster load times and a better user experience. Think higher engagement and conversion rates.
Lower Maintenance Costs: Less money spent on unnecessary subscriptions and less time on maintenance.
Enhanced Data Security: Fewer points of failure mean a more secure setup. Your customers will thank you for it.
How to Simplify Your Tech Stack
Here’s your action plan:
Audit Your Tools: List everything you’re currently using. Yes, all of it.
Evaluate Effectiveness: Is each tool delivering value? If not, it’s time to cut it loose.
Look for Overlaps: Are there tools with overlapping features? Consolidate where you can.
Prioritize Integrations: Choose tools that play nicely together. Seamless integration is key.
Opt for All-in-One Solutions: Whenever possible, pick platforms that do more than one thing well. Tools like Thrivecart can handle multiple tasks, reducing the need for extra software.
Regular Reviews: Your tech needs will evolve. Make it a habit to review and adjust your stack regularly.
Choosing the Right Tools
When picking new tools, consider the following:
Compatibility: Make sure they work with your existing setup.
Scalability: Choose tools that can grow with you.
Pricing and Support: Look for a good balance between cost and functionality. Reliable support is a must.
Final Thoughts
Simplifying your tech stack isn’t a one-time task; it’s an ongoing process. Keep evaluating and adjusting to ensure your tools are working for you, not the other way around.
Remember, the goal is to make your tech work smarter, not harder.
Ready to streamline and simplify your tech stack? Check out this blog post where I shared some of the tools I’m using now in my business!
And don’t forget to watch this short video to learn why Thrivecart is my #1 fave and how much this lifetime cost tool can do for my biz!
Creating a digital workbook is a fantastic way to engage and educate your audience, whether it’s for a course, a digital product workbook to sell, or any other educational project. But, let’s be real — there are a few bumps in the road you’ll want to avoid. From skimping on design to forgetting about interactivity (being able to interact, engage, or populate info into the workbook), these missteps can make your workbook less effective.
Let’s dive into five common mistakes to avoid when crafting your first digital workbook. This isn’t just about dodging mistakes — it’s about making a workbook that genuinely shines and helps your course students hit their goals.
Mistake 1: Overlooking Usability for Workbook Design
Don’t Sacrifice Functionality for Looks
It’s tempting to focus on making your workbook look amazing. While a pretty workbook design can attract users, it won’t hold their interest if it’s hard to use. A cluttered interface, inconsistent design, confusing navigation, hidden features, and long load times can all frustrate users. Listen, we all love a beautiful, luxe-looking Canva PDF, but frankly, it’s not worth much if that’s all it is, a flat, unusable PDF.
Keep your digital workbook simpleandfunctional. Your workbook should be easy to navigate and use — beauty should come from how well it works.
Here are some specific pitfalls to avoid:
Cluttered Interface: A visually stunning design can become counterproductive if it overwhelms users with too much information or too many elements at once. This can obscure essential features and content, making the workbook challenging for your course students to navigate.
Inconsistent Workbook Design: Variability in layout, typography, and color schemes across different sections can confuse users. Consistency in design elements helps build intuition and familiarity, enhancing the overall user experience. And as a bonus, keeping things consistent and cohesive means way less design choices you need to make, making the whole thing easier and faster to create.
Unclear Navigation: If users struggle to find their way around the workbook due to poorly designed navigation, their learning experience is directly impacted. Navigation should be intuitive, with clearly labeled sections and logical transitions. Even better? Make your table of contents or button elements clickable!
We can create more effective and user-friendly digital workbooks by focusing on these common usability issues. Ensuring that functionality is not sacrificed for aesthetics is essential in developing a product that is both beautifulandpractical.
Mistake 2: Ignoring Easy Updates and Maintenance
Why Google Docs Rocks
Google Docs is your friend here. It’s perfect for real-time collaboration, accessible from any device, and automatically backs up your work. Tools like Canva are great for static designs, but updating them can be a hassle, and frankly, once someone downloads that PDF you designed in Canva, its out of your hands. You can no longer edit or update it. With Google Docs, updates are instant and straightforward, saving you time and headaches.
Want to learn how to create a workbook using Google Docs? Click here to get all of the deets to creating an on-brand fillable workbook your students will love!
Google Docs vs Canva Digital Workbooks
Benefits of using Google Docs for editable workbooks:
Real-Time Collaboration and Updates: Google Docs allows multiple users to work on the same document simultaneously. Changes are reflected instantly, ensuring all collaborators are always accessing the most current version of the workbook.
Accessibility Across Devices: With Google Docs, your digital workbook is accessible from any device with internet connectivity, even if they don’t have the Docs app installed on their mobile device. This flexibility is crucial for students and educators who may switch between devices.
Automatic Backup and Recovery: Changes in Google Docs are saved automatically, reducing the risk of data loss. Additionally, past versions of documents are preserved, allowing users to revert to earlier versions if necessary.
On the flip side, platforms like Canva, while visually appealing, pose challenges for easy updates:
Limited Update and Maintenance Flexibility: Unlike dynamic platforms like Google Docs, the static nature of PDFs created in Canva means that updates aren’t reflected in real-time across all versions of a document. Users must manually replace old versions with new uploads, which can be time-consuming and prone to error.
No Real-Time Collaboration: Canva does not support real-time editing by multiple users, which can hinder teamwork and delay updates. Now, this is based on my personal experience. I have worked in the same Canva project at the same time as a team member, but when we both work on the same design, Canva freaks out.
Restricted File Management and Backup: Canva provides limited options for file backup and recovery. Users cannot access a comprehensive version history, which poses risks if changes need to be undone or files are lost.
Mistake 3: Not Optimizing for Both Print and Digital
Think Print-Friendly
Even in the digital age, print isn’t dead. Your workbook should work both ways.
Design with minimal ink use, provide ample space for notes, and be sure margins are printer-friendly. Make sure your content is engaging and accessible in both formats — use visuals, clear hierarchy, and interactive elements that work online and on paper.
Here’s how to balance both in your digital workbook:
Minimize Ink Usage: Design with home printing in mind. Opt for designs and fonts that require less ink, especially for users who may print materials themselves. This approach not only makes printing more feasible but also more economical for the end-user.
Functional Layouts: Make sure there’s ample room for users to write answers or notes, and generous (min. 1”) margin. Overly cramped designs or insufficient space for user input can frustrate and deter engagement. A functional layout is as critical as an attractive one.
Mind the Margins: Standardize margins to accommodate for binding or hole-punching without compromising content. A common oversight is designing right to the edge, which can lead to content being cut off during the printing process. I like to leave at least 1” of margin around the text for notes, takeaways, and doodles.
Editable Fields: For worksheets intended to be filled out, incorporate editable fields that users can type into before printing. This feature caters to those who prefer digital interaction but may need or want a printed copy.
Make Sure the Content is Accessible and Engaging in Both Formats:
Visual Engagement: Use a mix of text, images, and videos to maintain high engagement levels. Visual content is not just for digital platforms; it also enhances printed materials by breaking monotony and providing clearer explanations. Charts, if applicable, would be great too!
Clear Hierarchy: Adopt a clear hierarchy in your content layout, just like print media does. Start with a compelling headline, followed by an engaging opening visual, structured copy, and smaller visuals or pull quotes. This structure aids in maintaining attention and guiding the reader through the content.
Interactive Elements: While interactive elements like checkboxes or fillable sections shine in digital formats, consider how these can be translated into print. Instructions for interactive elements should be clear, whether the user engages digitally or on paper.
List and Bullet Points: Use lists and bullet points to break up text and make content easier to scan, both online and in print. This formatting choice helps with readability and also aids users in quickly finding the information they need.
Mistake 4: Failing to Brand Your Workbook
Make It Yours
Your digital workbook isn’t just a tool; it’s a piece of your brand.
Use your brand colors, fonts, and logo consistently throughout. A strong, cohesive brand presence builds trust and sets you apart. But don’t go overboard — balance your branding with usability to keep your workbook practical and easy to use.
Here’s how to incorporate your brand:
1) Add Your Logo, but keep it relatively small
2) Add a Link to Your Website (written out for print) in the footer of every page
3) Keep the colors and overall aesthetic aligned with your brand
Trust is the cornerstone of any successful brand. A digital workbook that clearly communicates your company’s mission and values through its design and content sets expectations and fosters trust with your audience.
Tips for Incorporating Brand Elements Without Compromising Usability:
Use a Brand Book as a Guide: A brand book, or brand guidelines, helps you maintain consistency across all branded materials. It outlines your brand’s personality, including its history, visuals, voice, and mission. Referencing this guide can help maintain a cohesive brand image throughout your digital workbook.
Visual Elements on Your Brand Board: Include essential visual elements such as your logo, color palette, fonts, and any patterns or icons on your brand board. This single file is a quick reference to help you stay on brand and cohesive as you design.
Consistency is Key: Make sure your digital workbook maintains a consistent look and feel that aligns with your brand. This includes using the same color schemes, typography, and imagery styles across all sections. Consistency makes your brand easily recognizable and reinforces its identity.
Balance Branding with Usability: While it’s essential to incorporate your brand’s visual elements, it’s equally important to maintain usability. Avoid over-branding, which can distract from the content and hinder the user’s learning experience.
Aim for a workbook design that enhances rather than detracts from the workbook’s educational value.
Mistake 5: Missing Out on Interactive Elements
Interactive elements like checklists, diagrams, and tools can make your workbook much more engaging. These features encourage active participation, helping learners retain information better. Make sure every interactive element adds real value, pulling the reader in and helping them take action, and can definitely help with your educational goals.
How to Incorporate Interactive and Engaging Elements:
Interactive elements such as checklists, diagrams, and tools make learning more engaging and empower students to actively participate in their educational journey.
For instance, adding clickable checklists within a digital workbook allows learners to track their progress effectively. Diagrams, especially interactive ones, help students to visualize complex information, making difficult concepts easier to grasp.
Additionally, tools like interactive sliders or decision trees can simulate real-life scenarios, making taking action easier and less draining.
By thoughtfully integrating these elements, we make sure that the workbook remains an effective educational tool, rather than just an assortment of engaging features.
Want to Learn How to Create Worksheets and Workbooks in Google Docs?
If you’re now itching to recreate your PDF worksheets and workbooks into handy Google Docs, I created an actionable training just for you! On-Brand Fillable Workbooks is for course creators who want to improve their course material by including beautifully branded fillable workbooks. I will show you exactly how to do this, and you will get access to all of my shortcuts and hacks.
Just under 4,600 people have snagged this epic training, and did I mention it’s only $9?
Here are just a few testimonials from people who have used On-Brand Fillable Workbooks to transform their course material:
“I’ve been using Docs for years and still learned at least 10 new tricks! I’m off now to transfer all of my Canva workbooks to Google Docs…”
“Took me less than an hour to take a boring Google Doc and turn it into something super engaging & action oriented for my students.”
“Snagged this in the morning, made a workbook for my training at 1:00 today.”
What About Google Sheets for Course Content?
As quickly as I created On-Brand Fillable Workbooks, I had people asking me for the Google Sheets version, and it’s now live – Spot-On Spreadsheets. You’ll learn how to create functional and helpful Google Sheets for your audience and course students.
Final Thoughts
By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be on your way to creating a digital workbook that’s not only error-free but also a powerful educational tool for your course students.
Remember, the goal is to make something useful, engaging, and true to your brand. Happy creating!
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’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.
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.
’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.
Need more clients or customers? Want to grow your email list? Let’s talk growing your email list with lead funnels and how they can have a massive impact on your business. As an entrepreneur and funnel strategist myself, I know the importance of generating quality leads — growing my network of interested folks for my offers —and converting them into loyal customers. That’s where lead funnels come into play!
In this ultimate guide, I will walk you through everything you need to know about lead funnels and how they can work for you.
Why Lead Funnels Are Important for Businesses
All businesses need a systematic approach to attract and nurture leads. For me personally, that means growing my email list as that’s the number one way I engage with folks in my community, share value, spotlight my offers, and make sales of my digital products. Lead funnels serve as a roadmap, guiding potential customers through the buying process. They allow you to build relationships, showcase your expertise, and ultimately turn leads into paying customers.
Without a well-designed lead funnel, your marketing efforts may be scattered, resulting in missed opportunities and lost revenue.
Understanding the Stages of a Marketing Funnel
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of creating an effective lead funnel, it’s crucial to understand the stages of a marketing funnel. A marketing funnel consists of three main stages: awareness, consideration, and conversion.
Marketing Funnel Stage 1 – Awareness:
At this stage, your goal is to create brand awareness and attract the attention of your target audience. You can achieve this through various channels such as social media, content marketing, and advertising. The key is to provide valuable and relevant content that resonates with your audience.
Marketing Funnel Stage 2 – Consideration:
Once you have captured the attention of potential customers, you need to nurture them and build trust. This stage is all about educating your leads and showcasing the value your product or service offers.
Email marketing, webinars, and personalized content are effective strategies to engage with your leads during this stage.
Marketing Funnel Stage 3 – Conversion:
The final stage is where the magic happens. Now that your leads are aware of your brand, and have considered your offerings, it’s time to convert them into paying customers. This is where you make your sales pitch and demonstrate why your product or service is the best solution for their needs.
Testimonials, limited-time offers, and compelling call-to-actions play a vital role in encouraging conversions.
How to Create an Effective Lead Funnel
Now that you have a solid understanding of the marketing funnel stages, let’s dive into the process of creating an effective lead funnel.
Here are the fundamental steps:
1. Define Your Target Audience:
Start by clearly defining your target audience. Who are they? What are their pain points? Understanding your audience will help you tailor your messaging and offers to resonate with them.
2. Create Compelling Lead Magnets:
A lead magnet is an irresistible free offer that entices potential customers to provide their contact information. It could be an ebook, a free course, or a helpful template. Make sure your lead magnet provides significant value and addresses a specific problem your audience faces.
3. Design Landing Pages:
A landing page is where your potential customers land after clicking on your lead magnet. It should be visually appealing, have a clear call-to-action, and capture the necessary information to follow up with the lead.
4. Implement Email Marketing:
Email marketing is a powerful tool to nurture your leads and move them through the marketing funnel. Set up automated email sequences that deliver valuable content and build a relationship with your leads.
5. Optimize Your Conversion Process:
Continuously test and optimize your lead funnel to improve conversion rates. Analyze data, track key metrics, and make data-driven decisions to enhance your funnel’s performance.
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to creating an effective lead funnel that drives results for your business.
Top Lead Gen Tactics for Each Stage of the Funnel
Now that you know how to create a lead funnel, let’s explore some top lead generation tactics for each stage of the funnel.
Awareness Stage Tactics: At this stage, focus on increasing brand visibility and attracting your target audience. Leverage social media advertising, collaborations like summits and bundles, and content marketing to reach a wider audience. Engage with your audience through comments, shares, and likes to build brand awareness.
Consideration Stage Tactics: In the consideration stage, your goal is to nurture leads and establish your credibility. Folks want to know that you’re knowledgeable and experienced when it comes to your niche before they trust you with their money. Offer valuable content such as webinars, case studies, and debriefs that showcase your expertise. You can use retargeting ads to stay top of mind with your leads and encourage them to take the next step if you’d like.
Conversion Stage Tactics: When it comes to the conversion stage, personalized and time-sensitive offers work wonders. Limited-time discounts, exclusive bonuses, and free trials can help push your leads toward making a purchase. Make the buying process as smooth and frictionless as possible to maximize conversions.
By tailoring your lead generation tactics to each stage of the funnel, you’ll be able to attract, nurture, and convert leads effectively.
Tools and Software to Optimize Your Lead Funnels
Implementing lead funnels can be made a lot easier with the help of various tools and software. Here are some top recommendations:
1. Landing Page Builders: Tools like Thrivecart or Leadpages allow you to design stunning landing pages without the need for coding knowledge. These platforms offer loads of extra features and integrations with popular email marketing services.
2. Email Marketing Automation: Platforms such as Drip and ConvertKit offer robust email marketing automation features. They allow you to set up automated email sequences, segment your audience, and track the performance of your campaigns.
Not sure which email marketing platform to use for your business? Let Email Service Matchmaker help you make an informed decision!
3. Analytics and Tracking:Fathom Analytics or Google Analytics is a must-have tool for tracking the success of your lead funnels. They provide valuable insights into website traffic, conversion rates, and user behavior. However for privacy regions, especially in Europe, I don’t prefer Google Analytics/GA4. I am happy with Fathom Analytics. I also like that I can see all of my sites current traffic in one place, on one screen.
Additionally, tools like Hotjar offer heatmaps and user recordings to understand how visitors interact with your landing pages.
These are just a few examples of the many tools and software available to optimize your lead funnels. Explore different options and find the ones that best suit your business needs.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Implementing Lead Funnels
While lead funnels can be highly effective, there are some common mistakes that businesses often make. Here are a few to avoid:
1. Lack of Personalization: Generic messaging and offers won’t cut it in today’s competitive landscape. Personalize your lead funnels to cater to the specific needs and pain points of your target audience. Start for sure by asking for their first name on the opt-in form when they’re signing up for their freebie, and use their name where appropriate in the follow up emails.
2. Overcomplicating the Funnel: Keep your lead funnel simple and easy to navigate. Don’t overwhelm your potential customers with too many steps or information.
3. Inconsistent Follow-Up: Consistent follow-up is crucial for nurturing leads. Make sure you have a robust email marketing strategy in place to engage with your leads regularly.
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By avoiding these mistakes, you’ll ensure that your lead funnels are optimized for success.
How to Measure and Track the Success of Your Lead Funnels
Measuring and tracking the success of your lead funnels is essential to optimize your strategies and drive better results.
Here are some key metrics to monitor:
1. Conversion Rate: This metric tells you the percentage of leads that convert into paying customers. It helps you understand the effectiveness of your lead funnel in driving conversions.
2. Cost per Lead: Calculate the average cost per lead to evaluate the efficiency of your lead generation tactics. This metric allows you to allocate your marketing budget effectively.
3. Engagement Rate: Monitor the engagement rate of your emails, landing pages, and social media posts. A higher engagement rate indicates that your content is resonating with your audience.
4. Return on Investment (ROI): Calculate the ROI of your lead funnels by comparing the revenue generated with the investment made in acquiring leads. This metric helps you determine the profitability of your marketing efforts.
By regularly analyzing these metrics and making data-driven decisions, you can continuously improve the performance of your lead funnels.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations! You’ve now reached the end of this ultimate guide to lead funnels. Now that you are armed with the knowledge and strategies shared here, you’re ready to take your business to new heights.
Remember, lead funnels are not a one-size-fits-all solution. Experiment, iterate, and tailor your lead funnels to your unique business needs. With the right tactics, tools, and a data-driven approach, lead funnels can become a powerful asset in your marketing arsenal.
If you’re ready to take the next step, click the link below to learn exactly how to set up your first tripwire funnel and set up fully automated flash sales for every single new email subscriber with Freebie to Flash Sale.
