Why You Need to Switch from MailChimp to ConvertKit Right Now

As I learned in my first $10,000 launch, an email list is a powerful asset—if you know how to set it up right. Most solutions are clunky, but I've found one that excels beyond any alternatives available.

I just finished moving my email list over to ConvertKit, and I’m already in love.

I’ve used MailChimp since I started my email list two and a half years ago, mainly because it was free.

Overall my experience has been positive—but I now realize there was much I was missing, and I’m excited to be making this switch.

For Bloggers, By Bloggers

ConvertKit isn’t for everyone, but that's exactly the point.

It’s an email marketing service designed specifically for bloggers. If you have a professional blog, ConvertKit is your new best friend.

Nathan Barry founded ConvertKit to scratch his own itch. In his own words,

I decided to solve my email marketing frustrations and build a tool that had all the email marketing best practices I was using to sell hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of books built in by default. That tool is called ConvertKit.

Most email marketing services are built for brick-and-mortar businesses or online shops, and simply lump bloggers in with the rest.

With MailChimp, you need to use additional services like LeadPages and SumoMe to deliver lead magnets or optimize email opt-ins. Both services are great, but it's an added expense (and more of a hack than anything else).

ConvertKit is built specifically for bloggers, with key features already built in:

1. Beautiful landing pages and forms. ConvertKit templates are made to convert. They look good, but they’re also simple to set up (and you can customize them as much as you want).
2. Email magnet delivery. Want to offer a different ebook for every blog post, or a single download site-wide? Either way, it’s as simple as uploading a file.
3. Audience segments & tags. By tagging subscribers based on a sign-up form, clicked link, or manual notes, you can better serve your audience by sending them only what they’re likely to need.
4. Ready-made integrations. ConvertKit has built-in integrations with GumRoad and WishList Member (among others), automatically adding or removing tags on each subscriber any time a purchase is made.
5. Automated email campaigns. By creating targeted email sequences, ConvertKit makes it simple to engage with every subscriber as they opt-in, sharing popular posts, email tips, or asking key questions over a period of time.

The only email services that come close in features are InfusionSoft and OntraPort, and between those the cheapest plan is $199 every month (they're also built for large enterprise companies with developers on staff).

ConvertKit is much cheaper. Right now, monthly plans start at just $29.99.

The Human Touch

I love ConvertKit emails, because they're designed for the reader—they look just like they would if they came from a friend.

There’s no need for flashy headers or text blocks—email is where reader relationships grow.

And what if someone on your site is already a member of your list?

Normally, they’d see the same email opt-ins as everyone else, but with ConvertKit those boxes are replaced with custom targeted pitches—perhaps just a “thank you” for having already subscribed!

And there's one key reason I love ConvertKit more than every alternative: I talk to their founder at least once a week.

ConvertKit support is always standing by (this includes Nathan) and does their best to help with technical problems, basic questions, or feature requests.

But they're also human, and not afraid to throw a little personality in with their fantastic support.

With MailChimp, basic plans don’t even offer email support.

Best of all, ConvertKit is still new and growing. New features are being added all the time, and I'm already pleased with what they have.

If you're serious about email marketing as part of your platform, you need to be using ConvertKit.

I'm excited to better serve my audience by making email a priority, and ConvertKit is making that much easier than I'd hoped.

If you're looking for a better list building service, I encourage you to give ConvertKit a try.

Question: What's keeping you from switching to ConvertKit?