
Alright, let’s spill the tea on email marketing platforms. If you’re a creator or solopreneur trying to build your audience and make some serious cash, you’ve probably wondered which tool is your best bet. Spoiler alert: ConvertKit is stealing the spotlight from MailChimp, and it’s not even a close call!
I’ve been there myself - back in 2018, MailChimp straight-up deleted my account without so much as a warning. Why? I dared to include an affiliate link in a newsletter. Turns out, affiliate marketing is a big no-no for them, and I was left scrambling. After chatting with a rep, I was floored - and nearly spit out my coffee - at how rigid their rules were.
After getting my list back and testing other options like Aweber and MailerLite, I landed on ConvertKit. I’ve been a loyal user ever since, and trust me, it’s a game-changer. Let’s dive into why this platform is the flirty, fun, and functional choice for creators like us.
Let’s get one thing straight - ConvertKit isn’t just another email tool; it’s practically your creative soulmate. Its entire vibe - from the interface to the features - is tailored for solo entrepreneurs and small creative teams. Whether you’re a content creator, freelancer, or side-hustler, this platform gets you.
Even with recent price bumps, ConvertKit still offers killer value. Their free plan lets you test the waters, and you get landing pages, e-commerce tools for digital products, paid newsletters, and easy automations. It’s everything you need to go from zero to $100,000 a month without breaking a sweat.
MailChimp, on the other hand, feels like it’s flirting with big e-commerce and SaaS brands instead of creators. Its pricing and features cater to enterprise needs, and honestly, platforms like Klaviyo or MailModo do a better job for those businesses anyway. For us creators, ConvertKit is the one to watch - it’s even trusted by some of the biggest names in the creator economy!
Here’s where MailChimp might make you swipe left - their pricing structure can hit your wallet hard. They use a list-based system, meaning if a subscriber joins your free e-book list and your weekly newsletter, they’re counted twice. Yup, you’re paying for the same person multiple times, and managing duplicates is a total headache.
ConvertKit, however, knows how to keep things simple and sexy. With a single master list and a tag-and-segment system, each subscriber is counted just once. Tag them based on their interests or purchases, and run multiple sequences without extra costs or complexity. It’s a cost-saving dream as you scale up.
This difference alone can save you a ton of cash, especially when your audience grows. Why waste money on a platform that works against you? ConvertKit keeps your budget in check while letting you focus on creating.
As a creator, your goal is to sell content, courses, or community access - not physical products. ConvertKit makes this a breeze with built-in tools like Kit Commerce. Sell digital products or paid newsletters straight from your email dashboard with instant checkouts for e-books, courses, or subscriptions.
MailChimp? Not so much. Their monetization features are geared toward physical e-commerce with clunky third-party integrations. It’s slower and less intuitive for creators who want to start earning ASAP. ConvertKit keeps the process frictionless, so you can focus on your craft.
Imagine setting up a paid newsletter or course in minutes and watching the sales roll in. That’s the kind of effortless vibe ConvertKit brings to the table, and it’s why creators can’t stop raving about it.
ConvertKit’s drag-and-drop Visual Automations are like having a personal assistant who never sleeps. Design subscriber journeys - from delivering lead magnets to launching funnels - without any tech stress. It’s perfect for busy creators who want control without the chaos.
Take a product launch funnel, for example. A new subscriber signs up for your free e-book, gets a welcome series, and is tagged accordingly. If they haven’t bought your product yet, they’re nudged with a pitch sequence. The second they buy, the sales emails stop. It’s all automated, saving you time and keeping your audience engaged.
'ConvertKit’s automations are a total lifesaver - I can focus on creating content while my email funnels work their magic!' - A thrilled creator on TrustPilot.
Here’s a little extra spice - ConvertKit’s Creator Network. This feature lets you cross-promote with other creators in your niche for free, organic list growth. You can even earn a little cash by recommending fellow creators.
MailChimp doesn’t have anything like this in their arsenal. ConvertKit’s focus on community and collaboration gives you a leg up in building your audience without spending a dime on ads. It’s the kind of thoughtful touch that makes you feel supported.
Whether it’s automations or networking, ConvertKit is all about making your life easier. Why settle for less when you can have a platform that’s got your back?
Let’s wrap this up with some real talk. For solo creators, freelancers, and digital product businesses, ConvertKit is the clear winner over MailChimp. It nails the essentials - simplicity, monetization, and cost-effective list management - in ways that matter to your bottom line.
I’m currently playing around with EmailOctopus as a cheaper alternative on another site (which uses beehiiv), but my main lists are staying with ConvertKit. It does everything I need without overcomplicating things, and the cost-effectiveness is just the cherry on top. I might even drop a video on migrating tools soon, so stay tuned!
So, if you’re ready to stop overpaying for a platform that doesn’t get creators, it’s time to flirt with ConvertKit. Check out their free trial and see why it’s the go-to for so many of us in the creator economy. Trust me, you won’t look back!