Switching Newsletter Providers ~ A To Do List #WriterWednesday #AuthorToolboxBlogHop #AmWriting #AuthorMarketing
I switched from MailChimp to MailerLite in December. I did not go into the switch lightly. I knew it would be a lot of work. How much work? Read on and you’ll get an idea.
I’m not going to discuss the reasons why I choose MailerLite. There are tons of blogs already out there, which outline the pros and cons of the most popular email providers (MailChimp, MailerLite, Constant Contact, etc. etc.). Instead, I’m going to outline the gazillion (slight exaggeration) steps necessary to effectively switch email providers.
So, without further ado, here are the steps necessary – at a minimum – to switch providers:
Step 1. Set up Landing Page
The landing page is where potential subscribers are sent to when they click on your ‘join my newsletter link’. Here’s what mine looks like:
Step 2. Design Success Page
This is the page subscribers see when they have successfully subscribed. You can use the standard provided by your newsletter provider or design one yourself. I decided to design something myself to showcase my ‘voice’ (I write romantic comedies and humorous mysteries).
Step 2a (optional). Design double opt in language.
Most newsletter services allow you to change the language in the double opt messages subscribers see. I opted to change the language in the hopes I would stand out from the crowd.
Step 3. Design Automation Workflow (aka Onboarding Sequence)
Now we’re getting to the meat of the matter. One of the reasons I switched newsletter providers was the ability to do an automation workflow. What the heck am I talking about? Basically, an automation workflow is a series of emails new subscribers receive upon subscribing. This idea didn’t turn me on. After all, when I subscribe to a newsletter, I want the newsletter – not a ton of onboarding messages. But one thing all the experts harp on and on about is ‘you are not your reader’. Okay, fine. I’ll make a stupid onboarding sequence.
I designed two workflows. One is for when subscribers land on my landing page from a link in my books or on social media. The second workflow is for when subscribers subscribe as they’ll downloaded my free story. Designing these automation sequences took loads of time – loads. One you use more than one onboarding sequence, you’ll first need to divide your subscriber list into groups. Please don’t ask me how long it took before I figured that part out. *hangs head in shame*
Step 4. Change subscription links – everywhere.
And I do mean everywhere. Every single place you’ve ever advertised your email subscription sign-up page needs to be changed. For example,
- Email footer,
- Twitter header,
- Facebook profile,
- Website,
- Novels,
- etc.
I’m still updating all my novels. This is the language I use at the front of all my novels:
Are you reading diva? Join my reading diva squad (aka newsletter) and I’ll send you a FREE romantic comedy just because. Each month you’ll get a peek into my bookish life. I’ll also share exclusive content from my books such as deleted scenes, extended epilogues, and brand spanking new stories. PLUS a whole slew of book sales from other authors who write cozy mysteries and romantic comedies. I won’t spam you. Really, I won’t. And, if I bore you, you can unsubscribe. I’ll try not to bore you. Pinky promise.
Step 5. Convert subscribers.
This is super easy – at least in my situation. MailerLite has a tool to add all your MailChimp subscribers. I simply clicked the button and viola!
Step 6. Integrations
If you make use of BookFunnel and/or StoryOrigin (and you should!), then you’ll need to integrate you’re new list. This is also super simple. On BookFunnel, simply hit the add integration button. The same is true for StoryOrigin.
Optional. Change unsubscribe language.
Depending on your email provider, you may be able to change the unsubscribe language as well. Newsletter Ninja suggests changing the language to encourage unsubscribers to follow you on social media.
Eights steps doesn’t seem like much work. Wrong. It’s a ton of work. What about you? Have you switched email newsletter providers? If so, have I missed something?
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This blog post is part of the #AuthorToolboxBlogHop. This is a monthly blog hop hosted by @raimeygallant. Make sure to stop by the other author blog posts in this month’s blog hop to fill up your author toolbox! Just click on the graphic to take you to the list.
This does sound complicated, but something I really need to do!
Thanks for the dig in the ribs, Dena!
Good luck. I felt the same as you last month. But if I’m going to cut FB and AMS ads I need a healthy mailing list.
I did try to switch to Mailerlite once, but didn’t get past the sign on form! I’m not technically minded and sometimes I despair!
I actually found mailerlite more user friendly than mailchimp. But easy it is not
Is anything on the http://WWW...
I’ve not set up a newsletter yet, I keep meaning to but it sounds like a lot of work. This is a great insight into the setup process, as well as all the work needed to change providers 🙂
The trick is to get it right the first time. Not like I did 🙁
Thank you for sharing this. I am finally starting a newsletter this year. Something I kept putting off. Your post was very helpful.
Newsletters are a lot of work to set up but once it’s set up, it gets easier – I promise. Good luck!
I’m right there, too. MailChimp has gotten too expensive and I don’t use most of their tools. I’m subscribing to your blog, hope you share your experience with MailerLite!
I have several blogs planned about my experiences 😃
I had no idea how much work was involved. Looks like you stepped up nicely though. 🙂
Anna from elements of emaginette
I’m hoping this is a one and done thing 🤞🏻🤞🏻
Ah, the dreaded newsletter I keep denying I need but deep down know I eventually will. First, I really love the verbiage you use for all your different screens. It does showcase your voice and humor. Second, I’ve worked with MailChimp before in my previous job and had thoughts of just using that when the time unfortunately – I mean, inevitably – comes. But after reading this post and learning that MailChimp doesn’t have a workflow feature, I think I’ll most likely turn to MailerLite or another one that does. Question: Do you use a business management tool (like a CRM) to keep track of your book sales, customer info, website traffic, email / marketing campaigns? If so, which one and does it integrate with MailerLite? I’m curious as I plan to eventually use a CRM and would be looking for one that can integrate with whatever newsletter provider I go with. Thanks!
I sell exclusively through amazon and use bookeport to keep track of sales there. Customer info is basically my subscribers. Mailerlite keeps track of subscribers (how often they open, click, etc). My marketing campaigns are spreadsheets. One for each book and one per month.
I’m with Mailchimp and used to love it but they are tinkering with it to the point where they are making it very difficult to navigate and they seem to be focusing more on marketing than newsletter templates. But I’m not up for the change….yet! Thanks for the post.
It’s a big change. Not to be taken lightly. Can’t blame you for staying
I use Mailchimp, but I’ve heard that MailerLite is a good alternative! Really helpful to know the process for migrating over if I ever find myself needing to. Thank you for sharing this!
I used Mailchimp for years as well. But it was starting to get expensive as I’m growing my newsletter subscribers (or at least trying).
I’ve also moved to MailerLite (well, mostly. I still haven’t shut down my MailChimp account, and I am still getting new signups, which means I’ve missed a couple of forms somewhere …).
I also haven’t changed my unsubscribe settings, so thanks for the reminder – and the tip!
I’m kinda terrified to shut down my MailChimp account. What if I forgot a signup form somewhere?
I use MailChimp right now, so I’m definitely going to bookmark this post for the future!
Hope it helps!
Regarding step number 2, I wonder if there’s a provider that tells you how many people subscribe initially but then don’t follow through with the email confirm. I love that you’ve introduced me to mailer lite, because I didn’t know there were any big players new since Constant Contact and MailChimp. I’m also curious if Mail Lite faces the same challenges with gmail that MailChimp does. Anyway, I definitely bookmarked this, and I hope to learn how this works out for you! 🙂
You can look at how many people click on your landing page vs new subscribers to get an idea of who doesn’t double opt in.
Very Informative! Thanks for sharing! 🙂
Huh, I was able to do my onboarding sequence with Mailchimp… Great tips!
I had the free mailchimp. Not sure if it’s only possible with paid version or I’m the numbskull who couldn’t figure it out.
I’m still on the free version… but can’t remember how I did it! It’s been a year since I set it up and it still works perfectly.
You may have set it up before the big change at Mailchimp this past summer when the prices went up and the entire world freaked out 😉