Do you find yourself in need of effective software for email marketing that doesn’t break the bank? But get stressed and confused by all the available options and want to feel confident in your final decision.
You’re not alone—many professionals, including wellness and business coaches, face the challenge of choosing the right email marketing system.
Read on to find 5 places to start your email marketing for free and select the perfect solution that suits your needs and budget. This will not only simplify your email marketing efforts but also lead to these three key benefits:
- Increased engagement with your audience.
- Generating more enquiries
- Cost-effective marketing
Email Marketing Basics
Think of email marketing as getting a direct link to your ideal client. You get to drop straight into their inbox instead of hoping they’ll see you posting on social media. At its core, email marketing is sending targeted messages to your subscribers’ inboxes, allowing you to nurture relationships, share valuable content, and promote your services.
Why Email Marketing Matters
Email marketing is not just about sending random emails; it’s having a plan of action to engage, inform, and convert your audience. (No throwing mud and hoping it sticks!)
Here’s why email marketing matters to you and your business:
1. Direct Communication
When your audience joins your email list they give you a direct line to their inbox and are expecting your call (well email in this case). None of that icky cold calling here.
2. Cost-Effective:
For every £1 spent you can expect an average return of £42! I know crazy right… but it doesn’t even have to cost you a penny when you are first starting (apart from time obviously) there are plenty of free email marketing systems out there and I’ll tell you about the best ones real soon.
3. Trackable Results:
You can track and measure every email you send, Who opened it when they opened it, did someone click a link. It’s all there for you to keep an eye on and help you refine your strategies and create the content your audience wants.
4. Segmentation:
You can talk to people about what they want to know by segmenting your list. This way, you can increase your engagement and offer what truly matters to them. By dividing your list into smaller, more targeted groups based on specific criteria, you can provide personalised content that resonates with each recipient, ultimately leading to higher engagement and greater value in your emails.
Selecting Your Email Marketing Software
Before diving into email marketing, you’ll need the right email marketing software to get started. The software you choose will help you manage your list, design engaging emails, and track your campaigns. It’s the first step in growing your list effectively.
With these email marketing basics in mind and your goal of building your email list, now we need to look at what you should look out for when choosing your email marketing platform.
Key Components When Choosing free email marketing services
When you’re on the hunt for the perfect free email marketing system for your coaching business, there are some key components to keep in mind. Let’s explore them in detail:
1. Subscriber Limit:
The first thing to check is the system’s subscriber limit. Ensure that the system can handle your current list size and has room for growth as your audience expands.
2. Email Sending Limit:
Understanding the monthly email sending limit is essential. Make sure it aligns with your email marketing volume without any unexpected costs sneaking in.
3. Landing Pages:
The ability to create custom landing pages is a game-changer. These pages are your secret weapon for boosting conversions and capturing leads effectively. They are essential for starting a lead magnet strategy, and organically growing your list.
4. Thank You Pages:
Don’t overlook the power of a well-designed thank-you page. It can enhance the subscriber’s experience and reinforce their action, ensuring they stay engaged.
5. Automation:
Automation is a time-saver and a must-have feature. Look for a system that offers automation tools, in its free plan, to streamline your email marketing efforts. Automation is key to implementing your lead magnet strategy efficiently.
6. Segmentation:
The capability to segment your email list is a gem. It allows you to send personalized messages to different subscriber groups, increasing engagement and delivering content that truly matters.
Now that you’ve got a solid understanding of the key components, let’s delve into the five best free places to grow your email list and supercharge your coaching business.
1. MailerLite (Free Plan)
Subscriber Limit: MailerLite’s free plan allows you to have up to 1,000 subscribers.
Email Sending Limit: With this plan, you can send up to 12,000 emails per month.
Landing Pages: MailerLite offers a user-friendly landing page builder that allows you to create custom landing pages to capture leads effectively.
Thank You Pages: You can design thank-you pages to enhance the subscriber’s experience.
Automation: MailerLite’s free plan includes basic automation, allowing you to create a 5 step nurture sequence perfect for starting your lead magnet strategy.
Segmentation: You can segment your email list to deliver personalised content that resonates with different subscriber groups.
Recommendation: MailerLite is the email marketing software I recommend to anyone I work with. It’s easy to use and navigate and has everything you need to get going. I use it myself and love it.
2. Systeme (Free Plan)
Subscriber Limit: Systeme’s free plan permits up to 2,000 subscribers.
Email Sending Limit: You can send unlimited emails per month with this plan.
Landing Pages: (These are called sales funnels in this system): Systeme’s free plan allows you to create up to 3 landing pages and forms.
Thank You Pages: Part of the sales funnel
Automation: You get 1 automation step that will trigger an email sequence
Segmentation: You can use tags to segment your lists
Recommendation: If you have some experience with email systems and are looking to create an upsell or sell a digital product, Systeme.io is the place to go because you can do it on the free plan, and if you have plans for courses, you can do that here.
3. MailChimp (Free Plan)
Subscriber Limit: MailChimp’s free plan permits up to 500 subscribers.
Email Sending Limit: You can send up to 1000 emails per month with this plan.
Landing Pages: MailChimp’s landing page builder allows you to create custom pages for capturing leads.
Thank You Pages: Customise thank-you pages to reinforce subscriber actions.
Automation: MailChimp’s free plan offers basic automation with 2 steps to deliver a lead magnet but you need to upgrade to have 5.
Segmentation: You can segment your list for personalised communication.
Recommendation: It’s been around for a while, and it’s the one people have usually heard of. However, the system is a little clunky, and they keep reducing the free plan.
4. AWeber (Free Plan)
Subscriber Limit: AWeber’s free plan allows up to 500 subscribers.
Email Sending Limit: You can send up to 3,000 emails per month with this plan.
Landing Pages: AWeber’s free plan includes 1 landing pages
Thank You Pages: None
Automation: You get 1 email automation
Segmentation: AWeber’s free plan allows you to segment your list for personalised communication.
Recommendation: AWeber is a solid choice if you’re looking for basic features to get started, but doesn’t have as much to offer on the free plan as the first 2.
5. Email Octopus (Free Plan)
Subscriber Limit: Email Octopus’ free plan permits up to 2,500 subscribers.
Email Sending Limit: You can send up to 10,000 emails per month with this plan.
Landing Pages: Email Octopus’ free plan allows you to create up to 3 landing pages and forms.(These are from templates you don’t get to design your own).
Thank You Pages: Reports are available for 30 days.
Automation: You can create automations to deliver your lead magnet with a full 5 step nurture sequence
Segmentation: You can add tags to new subscribers.
Recommendation: Email Octopus’ free plan is an alright starter, but not if you plan to grow and want to brand and make everything your own.
Why use email marketing
Email marketing is your direct path to audience engagement, and it’s crucial for your coaching business. It’s not just about sending random emails; it’s about crafting a plan that informs, engages, and converts your audience.
The ‘so what’ factor? With email marketing, you have the power to connect with your subscribers personally and provide content that truly matters to them. Segmentation allows you to tailor messages to specific groups, increasing engagement and delivering genuine value.
Here’s the ownership twist: When you grow an email list, you truly own it. Unlike social media, where you’re on rented ground, your email list is a valuable asset under your control.
Now, choose the right email marketing software that aligns with your goals. MailerLite tops our recommendations, making the process easy. If you have aspirations for upselling or selling digital products, Systeme.io is an excellent choice.
MailChimp and AWeber offer basic options but remember the limitations. For a generous free plan and a full 5-step nurture sequence, consider Email Octopus.
Your coaching business thrives on personal connections. By selecting the ideal email marketing software, you’ll see your goals achieved—whether it’s boosting audience engagement, generating inquiries, or cost-effective marketing.
It’s time to act, and we’re here to support your success every step of the way. If you need guidance in choosing and setting up your free email marketing system, book a free call today.
