go to course

Top email marketing software for small biz growth

Oct 29, 2024 | Build an Audience, Curate Technology, Get Clients

Top email marketing software for small biz growth

Why email marketing software matters

For a small business, email remains one of the most cost-effective channels. The right software automates welcome sequences, newsletters, and drip campaigns, so you can nurture leads without manual effort. It also provides analytics to see what resonates, helping you refine your messaging and drive sales.

Key features to evaluate

  • User-friendly editor
    Drag-and-drop design makes it easy to create mobile-friendly emails without coding.
  • Automation and workflows
    Look for visual workflow builders that trigger messages based on subscriber behavior.
  • Segmentation and personalization
    The ability to segment by attributes—location, purchase history—and include merge tags for first names or custom fields.
  • Deliverability tools
    Built-in tools for spam testing, domain authentication (SPF, DKIM), and reputation monitoring.
  • Reporting and analytics
    Real-time dashboards showing open rates, click-through rates, and conversion tracking.
  • Integrations
    Connectors for your CRM, ecommerce platform, or CMS to sync contacts and track revenue.
  • Scalability and pricing
    Plans that grow with your list size and offer predictable costs or generous free tiers.

Top platforms for small business growth

  • Mailchimp
    Free up to 2,000 contacts, with basic automations, audience segmentation, and a simple drag-and-drop editor.
  • ConvertKit
    Designed for creators and solopreneurs; offers visual funnels, tagging, and free tier up to 1,000 subscribers.
  • MailerLite
    Affordable plans, powerful automation, landing pages, and pop-up forms with a free tier for up to 1,000 subscribers.
  • ActiveCampaign
    Advanced automation and CRM integration; ideal once you’re ready to scale beyond basic workflows.
  • Sendinblue
    Includes SMS marketing, transactional emails, and a free plan with unlimited contacts and 300 emails per day.

Steps to select and implement

  1. Map your needs
    List your must-have features—automation, integrations, templates—and compare plans.
  2. Test free tiers
    Sign up for free versions to trial editors, deliverability, and support experience.
  3. Import your list
    Clean your contacts, remove duplicates, and import into the new platform to test segmentation.
  4. Build a welcome sequence
    Automate a 3-email series to onboard new subscribers and set expectations.
  5. Set up tracking
    Add UTM parameters and integrate with Google Analytics or your CRM to measure campaign ROI.

Best practices for using email software

  • Keep subject lines clear
    Aim for 50 characters or fewer and preview how they display on mobile.
  • Personalize content
    Use merge tags and conditional content to make emails feel one-to-one.
  • Test and refine
    A/B test send times, subject lines, and CTAs to optimize engagement.
  • Maintain list hygiene
    Regularly remove inactive subscribers and suppress hard bounces.
  • Respect frequency
    Find a cadence that keeps you top of mind without overwhelming your audience.

Measuring success and optimizing

  • Open rate
    Indicates subject line effectiveness and sender reputation.
  • Click-through rate
    Shows how compelling your content and CTAs are.
  • Conversion rate
    Tracks how many clicks lead to signups, purchases, or calls booked.
  • Unsubscribe rate
    A low rate signals you’re delivering value at the right frequency.
  • ROI per campaign
    Compare revenue generated to the cost of your email platform and creative efforts.

By choosing the right email marketing software and following these steps, your small biz will automate nurturing, improve engagement, and drive more sales without extra overhead. Which platform will you try first to kickstart your growth?

How will you leverage email automation to build deeper connections and accelerate your small biz growth?

Retain coaching clients without breaking the bank.

Sep 20, 2024 | Get Clients

Retain coaching clients without breaking the bank

Why client retention matters

Loyal coaching clients generate steady revenue, refer new prospects, and require less marketing effort than finding replacements. Improving retention by even a few percentage points can dramatically boost profitability. Focusing on retention lets you maximize lifetime value without constantly hunting for new leads.

Key retention strategies

  • Deliver personalized value
    Tailor your coaching to each client’s goals. Use an intake questionnaire to identify their priorities, then send custom action plans or resources that speak directly to their needs.
  • Maintain consistent communication
    Schedule regular check-ins via email, text, or quick calls to review progress. Knowing you’re accessible builds trust and helps you address issues before they become reasons to leave.
  • Create a community
    Encourage peer support by forming a private group on a low-cost platform like Google Groups or a free tier Slack workspace (Slack Free). Group discussions and accountability partners keep members engaged between sessions.
  • Offer flexible packages
    Provide tiered options, single sessions, bundles, or monthly subscriptions. Allow clients to pause or adjust plans based on their budget. This flexibility reduces cancellations when finances get tight.
  • Provide ongoing resources
    Share recorded webinars, tip sheets, and templates using a low-cost file-sharing service like Google Drive. Clients grateful for free resources are less likely to walk away.

Low-cost tools for engagement

Using affordable or free tools helps you stay organized and communicate effectively without high expenses:

  • Email automation
    Use the free tier of Mailchimp or MailerLite to send welcome series, progress reminders, and check-in emails automatically.
  • Scheduling and reminders
    Let clients book sessions via Calendly Free. Automated reminders reduce no-shows and show clients you respect their time.
  • Video library
    Host short how-to videos on a private YouTube playlist (YouTube). Embed playlists in your site or share links directly to reinforce lessons between calls.
  • Group coaching platform
    Start a private Facebook group (Facebook Groups) for existing clients. Use it for live Q&A, peer support, and sharing success stories at no extra cost.
  • Progress tracking
    Track goals and milestones using a free Trello board (Trello) or a simple Notion database. Visual progress updates motivate clients to stay on track.

Steps to implement your retention plan

  1. Survey current clients
    Use Google Forms to gather feedback on what they value, pain points, and suggestions. Use results to refine your service offerings.
  2. Map the client journey
    Outline key touchpoints, from onboarding to progress reviews, and assign tools for each stage (email sequences, check-ins, resources). Ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
  3. Set up automation
    Configure email drip sequences in Mailchimp or MailerLite for welcome emails, mid-program check-ins, and renewal reminders. Automate scheduling links and feedback requests.
  4. Launch community platform
    Create a private group on Facebook or Slack. Invite clients and post weekly prompts, discussion questions, shared wins, or quick tips, to foster engagement.
  5. Monitor engagement metrics
    Track email open rates, group interactions, and resource downloads. Set alerts in your CRM (HubSpot Free CRM) to notify you when engagement drops so you can reach out personally.

Best practices for long-term loyalty

  • Personalize at scale
    Use merge tags in your email platform, “Hi [FirstName]”, and reference their goals or recent wins. Clients appreciate feeling seen, even in automated messages.
  • Reward referrals
    Offer a free session or discounted month when a client refers a new coaching client. Highlight the program in your community group and emails.
  • Host occasional live events
    Run a free monthly webinar on hot topics using a free Zoom account (Zoom Free). Invite all clients and open spots for prospects to join.
  • Offer mini-challenges
    Run 5-day challenges, like goal-setting or habit-building, using email automation and a private group. Challenges create momentum and deepen commitment.
  • Ensure easy renewals
    If you use a payment tool like Stripe or PayPal, set up subscription billing with simple one-click renewals. Remind clients a week before cards expire.

Measuring success and optimizing

Track these indicators to know if your retention efforts work:

  • Renewal rate
    Percentage of clients who sign up for a new package or extend their program. A rising renewal rate shows your retention plan is effective.
  • Engagement metrics
    Monitor group activity, comments, reactions, and posts, and email open rates. Higher engagement means clients find ongoing value.
  • Referral rate
    Count how many new clients arrive via referrals. Growth in this metric indicates satisfied clients are spreading the word.
  • Net promoter score (NPS)
    Use a simple Google Form to survey how likely clients are to recommend your coaching. Track changes over time to identify satisfaction trends.
  • Client lifetime value (CLV)
    Compare total revenue per client before and after implementing retention tactics. Increased CLV shows clients stay longer and spend more.

By focusing on personalized value, leveraging free or low-cost tools, and automating key touchpoints, you can retain coaching clients without breaking the bank. Which retention strategy will you implement first to keep your clients engaged and loyal?

How will you combine personalized attention with cost-effective tools to ensure your coaching clients stay with you long term?

How automation helps you get freelancer leads.

Sep 14, 2024 | Get Clients

How automation helps freelancer lead gen

Why automate lead generation

Freelancers often juggle client work, self-marketing, and administrative tasks. Manual outreach and follow-ups can eat into billable hours and lead to missed opportunities. Automation ensures that every new visitor, email inquiry, or social media comment triggers a preset sequence, capturing contact details, sending a welcome message, and scheduling follow-up tasks. This consistent, automated process not only expands your reach but also builds credibility through timely, personalized communication.

Key automation strategies

Implementing automation for lead gen involves several interconnected tactics that work together to attract, qualify, and nurture prospects:

  • Lead capture forms and landing pages
    Automated forms collect visitor information and trigger email sequences. Rather than manually checking form submissions, automation sends a personalized welcome email with resources or a scheduling link immediately.
  • Email nurture sequences
    Once a prospect subscribes, a series of prewritten emails delivers value, case studies, free templates, or tips, while guiding them toward a discovery call. Automated drip campaigns keep you top of mind without repetitive manual emailing.
  • Chatbots and messenger automation
    Embedding chatbots on your portfolio or blog answers common questions, qualifies leads by asking a few custom questions, and collects contact details before handing off to you for a deeper conversation.
  • Social media scheduling
    Automate content posting on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook so you maintain a regular presence without spending hours each day. Consistent posting attracts new followers, who then enter automated funnels via your profile links.
  • Customer relationship management (CRM) automation
    Use a CRM that automatically tags new leads, assigns follow-up tasks, and updates deal stages based on prospect behaviors, like clicking an email link or booking a meeting, so you never lose track of a lead’s status.

Free and affordable tools to use

Several cost-effective tools let freelancers set up lead-gen automation quickly. Here are some top picks:

  • Google Forms
    Create simple lead capture forms and embed them on your site. Responses go straight to Google Sheets, where you can use add-ons like FormWebhook to trigger email notifications or Zapier actions.
  • Mailchimp Free Tier
    Build automated email sequences that send to new subscribers. Up to 2,000 contacts and basic automation workflows are free, making it ideal for freelancers just starting out.
  • Zapier Free Plan
    Connect apps like Google Forms, Gmail, and Slack to automate tasks, such as sending a notification to Slack when a new form response arrives or adding new contacts to Mailchimp.
  • HubSpot Free CRM
    Capture lead details, track email opens, and schedule follow-up tasks automatically. HubSpot’s free plan includes forms, contact management, and deal pipelines.
  • tawk.to
    A free live chat app that lets you embed a chat widget on your site. Set up automated greetings or fallback messages that ask qualifying questions and collect emails.
  • Slack Free Tier
    Use Zapier or Incoming Webhooks to post new lead notifications directly into a channel, ensuring you respond quickly.
  • Buffer Free Plan
    Schedule up to a limited number of social posts across multiple profiles. Consistent posting drives traffic back to your site’s lead capture forms.

Steps to set up your automation workflow

Follow these steps to create a repeatable, automated lead-gen process:

  1. Create a lead magnet and capture form
    Design a valuable resource, a checklist, template, or short guide, and host it behind a Google Form or a free WordPress plugin like Crate. Collect name and email before delivering the download link.
  2. Set up email nurture
    In Mailchimp or HubSpot CRM, build a simple drip sequence: send the lead magnet, follow up with a case study, then invite the lead to book a call via a calendar link (e.g., using Calendly Free).
  3. Qualify leads via chatbot
    Install tawk.to on your site and configure an automated welcome message, “Hi there, are you interested in [service]? Let me know your email and I’ll send you a free sample.” When visitors respond, Zapier can add them to your CRM or email list automatically.
  4. Automate follow-up reminders
    Use Zapier to create a “Zap” that triggers when a new row appears in Google Sheets (from form submissions). Set it to send a Slack notification or an email to yourself reminding you to reach out if the automated email sequence hasn’t gotten a reply in seven days.
  5. Schedule social posts
    Use Buffer to pre-schedule content promoting your lead magnet or blog posts. Every post should include a link back to your capture form so new audiences enter your automated funnel.
  6. Track CRM activity
    In HubSpot CRM, create a deal pipeline with stages like “New Lead,” “Nurturing,” “Qualified,” and “Proposal Sent.” Use automation to move deals to the next stage when a lead clicks a specific email link or books a meeting.

Best practices for automated lead gen

  • Keep your messaging personal
    Even though emails are automated, use merge tags, “Hi {{FirstName}}”, and reference the lead magnet they downloaded. Small touches maintain engagement.
  • Test and optimize sequences
    A/B test subject lines, email copy, and call-to-action buttons in Mailchimp or HubSpot. Compare open and click rates to refine your approach.
  • Monitor deliverability
    Check bounce rates and spam complaints in your email platform. High bounce rates can hurt sender reputation and reduce the effectiveness of your automation.
  • Don’t over-automate
    Include manual check-points, like reviewing form submissions weekly to personalize follow-up or pause a sequence if a lead responds.
  • Provide clear next steps
    Each automated email should include a single, clear call to action, download a resource, reply with a question, or book a call.

Measuring success and optimizing your approach

Evaluate the performance of your automated funnel by tracking these metrics:

  • Form conversion rate
    Percentage of site visitors who submit the capture form. A higher rate means your lead magnet and CTA resonate.
  • Email open and click rates
    Monitor how many prospects open and click links in your nurture emails. Use these insights to tweak subject lines and content.
  • Chatbot engagement rate
    Number of chat interactions versus total site visits. High engagement suggests your chatbot messaging is effective at starting conversations.
  • Lead-to-meeting ratio
    Percentage of leads who book a call after entering the funnel. If this is low, review your call-to-action or scheduling process.
  • Proposal win rate
    Deals closed versus proposals sent. A strong win rate indicates your qualification and nurturing process brings higher-quality leads.

By leveraging free and affordable automation tools, freelancers can build a consistent lead-generation system that captures, nurtures, and qualifies prospects while you focus on delivering value. Which part of this automated workflow will you implement first to start attracting more clients?

How will you use automation to ensure no potential lead slips through the cracks and every opportunity is nurtured?