Hello Reader,

Ok so I open my email yesterday and see a new email pricing plan that might work for micro and small businesses. ConvertKit, which is my ESP (email service provider), is now offering a free email plan, up to 10,000 email subscribers. I think they are really targeting creators, but that doesn't mean solopreneuers and small business owners can't take advantage of this either.

As you know, I'm a fan of email marketing. Email marketing is not a victim of changing algorithms like social media. (We're just at the mercy of changing interests by the reader. Ha!)

Sometimes, getting started with an email list can feel daunting, especially when:

• You’re short on time to experiment and find what works before you've already paid for several months of your email service provider (ESP).
• Growing quickly means higher costs, which is tough if you haven't yet started making sales through email.
• You’re paying for advanced features that you’re not ready to use.

I like ConvertKit because of its visual automations. It makes creating automations and sequences easier for me because I'm a visual learner and I can drag and drop. I pay for the Creator Plan annually.

​Newsletter Plan​

ConvertKit (soon to be known as Kit, which is as terrible as the HBOMax-to-Max name change) has introduced a Newsletter Plan, free for up to 10,000 subscribers.

After chatting with ConvertKit and looking at the plan comparisons, it’s a good way to get your newsletter up and running. Especially if you don't want to be on Substack. (There are benefits for being on Substack, too.)

This is everything you need to start, grow, and monetize your newsletter—for free.

The Newsletter Plan includes:

• Unlimited emails – stay connected with your audience.
• Unlimited sign-up forms – grow your list from the 0.
• Unlimited landing pages – using ConvertKit’s built-in landing page builder.
• One email sequence – perfect for a welcome sequence.
• One basic visual automation – start learning how to automate your list.
• Audience tagging & segmentation – keep your subscribers organized.
• Access to commerce features – start selling digital products or coaching.
• Access to free & smart Recommendations – organically build your network.

This plan allows you to build your audience outside of social media and grow your subscriber count to 10,000 before you need to pay anything.

But wait, here's where I want to point some stuff out.

Sticking Points to Consider:

1. Growth Limitations: While the free plan is generous, you should still think about the potential cost when you pass 10,000 subscribers. Planning for growth is important. (Abundance mindset!)
2. Feature Restrictions: The plan includes basic automation and one email sequence. If you need more advanced features or multiple sequences, you may want to pay for their other plan(s).
3. Commerce Features: If selling digital products or coaching is a significant part of your strategy, make sure the available commerce features meet your needs.
4. Learning Curve: Take advantage of the learning period this free plan offers. Use this time to become familiar with ConvertKit's features - I will tell you that I used their Chat Support A LOT in the beginning.

That all being said, it's a good plan for anyone starting out in business, especially because you don't pay until you hit 10,000 subscribers or if you want to add more automations or sequences.

​Mailerlite might be the best competitor against ConvertKit's new plan - it is free up to the first 1,000 email subscribers. Flodesk is also an excellent competitor at $35/month for unlimited subscribers! Here's my affiliate link for Flodesk - you get 50% off your first year.

And that is all the coverage I'm going to give to ConvertKit here.

If you have an email service provider that you enjoy using, please hit REPLY and let me know!

• ​Patrick Renna is one of the kids from the CLASSIC movie The Sandlot. His IG is fun.
• We are a production family and I'll hear my husband on the phone and if it's a shoot outside of a stage, there's always a mention of a honeywagon. A honeywagon is a poop mobile. A mobile bathroom. This t-shirt design made me laugh.
• ​Gen Z putting home ownership on hold... well, look, the housing prices are hella expensive. Look at LA. We are insane.
• Every time the US Olympic Team debuts their outfit, I cringe. Ralph Lauren should be stopped.
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Travel Recs: NYC

The last time I was in NYC, it was 2012(!!) when I spoke at BlogHer. Outside of the tourist stuff, do you have recommendations (especially food) that I should add to my list?

See you next week!

Chris

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