Now that you understand what ConvertKit is and why it’s a fantastic choice for creators, let’s walk through how to use ConvertKit to build your email list, automate your marketing efforts, and start selling your digital products.

Whether you’re completely new to email marketing or just new to ConvertKit, this step-by-step guide will help you get the most out of this powerful tool.

1. Sign Up for ConvertKit

Before you can start using ConvertKit, you need to sign up for an account. Fortunately, signing up is simple and quick.

• Go to the ConvertKit website: Visit the ConvertKit homepage and click on the “Start Free Trial” button. You’ll be prompted to enter your name, email address, and password.
• Choose a Plan: After entering your details, you’ll have the option to choose between the Free Plan (up to 1,000 subscribers) or one of the paid plans, depending on your needs.
• Verify Your Email: ConvertKit will send you a verification email to activate your account. Once you click on the verification link, you’ll be directed to your dashboard, ready to start building your email list.

Pro Tip: If you’re new to email marketing, start with the Free Plan. It’s more than enough to get you started and lets you test the platform’s core features before committing to a paid plan.

2. Build Your First Landing Page

Once you’ve signed up and logged into your ConvertKit dashboard, the next step is to create a landing page. Landing pages are crucial for growing your email list, whether you’re offering a free lead magnet (like an eBook or checklist) or promoting a product.

• Click on “Landing Pages & Forms” from the dashboard: This will take you to the section where you can create new landing pages and opt-in forms.
• Choose a Template: ConvertKit provides several pre-designed, high-converting templates to choose from. These templates are specifically designed to capture leads and are fully customizable.
• Customize Your Landing Page: After selecting a template, you can use ConvertKit’s drag-and-drop builder to personalize the page. Add your branding, write compelling copy, and include a strong call-to-action (CTA) like “Get Your Free Guide” or “Join My Newsletter.”
• Configure Your Settings: Once you’re happy with the design, you can configure settings like the page URL, SEO metadata (title and description), and integration with your email list.
• Publish Your Page: When you’re done customizing, click the “Publish” button. You now have a fully functional landing page that you can share across your website, social media, or in paid ad campaigns to start capturing emails.

Pro Tip: Use ConvertKit’s landing page to create an offer (e.g., freebie or discount) to entice visitors to sign up. People are more likely to subscribe if there’s something in it for them!

3. Create and Embed Opt-In Forms

Opt-in forms are a key part of any email marketing strategy, and ConvertKit makes it easy to create forms that integrate seamlessly with your website or blog.

• Go to “Forms” under the “Landing Pages & Forms” section: Choose from a variety of form styles, including inline forms, modal popups, and slide-ins. Each form type is designed to fit the unique needs of your website’s layout and visitor experience.
• Customize Your Form: Just like with landing pages, ConvertKit’s drag-and-drop editor allows you to customize your forms. Add fields like name, email address, and any custom fields you may need.
• Set Up Incentive Email: After someone submits their information, ConvertKit allows you to send an automated “thank you” email or deliver the promised lead magnet right away. This is done through ConvertKit’s automated sequences.
• Embed the Form on Your Website: Once your form is designed, ConvertKit provides a simple code snippet that you can embed into your website. If you’re using platforms like WordPress, Squarespace, or Wix, you can integrate the form with ease using their built-in tools or ConvertKit’s plugins.

Pro Tip: Experiment with pop-up forms or slide-in forms that appear after a user spends a certain amount of time on your page, as these can increase conversions by capturing attention at just the right moment.

4. Set Up Email Sequences (Automation)

Now that you’ve got your landing page and opt-in form ready, the next step is setting up your email sequences. This is where the magic of ConvertKit truly shines. Email sequences allow you to automatically send a series of emails to new subscribers over a set period, nurturing them and building a relationship.

• Go to the “Automations” section: ConvertKit’s automation builder is where you can create visual workflows that automate your email marketing.
• Create a New Sequence: Click on “Create Sequence” and begin drafting your first sequence. This might be a welcome email, a thank-you email, or a series of emails that educates your subscribers on a specific topic.
• Set Triggers: Decide what will trigger the sequence. For example, a user signing up for your list via a landing page can trigger the welcome sequence. ConvertKit allows you to set actions based on user behavior, such as opening an email, clicking a link, or making a purchase.
• Personalize Your Emails: ConvertKit lets you personalize your emails with merge tags, which automatically insert subscriber-specific information (like their name). This makes your emails feel more personal and engaging.
• Automate Your Sequences: Once your sequence is ready, you can turn on the automation so that ConvertKit sends the right email to the right subscriber at the right time.

Pro Tip: Welcome sequences are a great way to engage new subscribers. Be sure to offer value early on (like a free course or exclusive content) to keep them interested and invested in your emails.

5. Sell Workshops or Digital Products Directly Through Email

ConvertKit isn’t just for sending newsletters or automating email sequences—it’s also a powerful tool for selling digital products. If you’ve created a workshop, course, or digital product (e.g., an eBook), you can use ConvertKit to sell directly to your subscribers.

• Set Up Commerce: ConvertKit’s Commerce feature allows you to sell products directly from your email campaigns. You can link to a product page or embed a purchase button in your email.
• Create a Checkout Page: ConvertKit provides a simple checkout page that allows users to purchase products. This page is customizable and integrates with Stripe to handle payments securely.
• Automate Your Sales Process: With automation, you can send a series of promotional emails about your product, followed by an email that leads to the checkout page. You can even set up post-purchase emails to send customers additional resources or thank you messages.

Pro Tip: Use time-sensitive offers or limited discounts in your emails to create urgency and boost conversions.

6. Analyze Your Results

The final step in using ConvertKit effectively is analyzing your email campaigns to see what’s working and what needs improvement. ConvertKit provides detailed analytics, such as:

• Open Rates: Track how many people are opening your emails.
• Click-Through Rates (CTR): See how many recipients are clicking on links within your emails.
• Conversion Rates: Measure how many subscribers take the desired action, such as making a purchase or signing up for a webinar.

By regularly reviewing these metrics, you can optimize your campaigns and fine-tune your strategy for better results.

Pro Tip: Run A/B tests on subject lines, content, and sending times to continually improve your email performance.