How I use Flodesk email marketing in my business

 

This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you sign up for Flodesk via one of my links, I may earn a small commission (and you get 50% off your first year!). I only share affiliate links for things that I genuinely like or use myself and Flodesk is certainly one of those things! The views expressed in this blog post are my own.

 

I’m happy to admit that, when I first dipped my toes into email marketing over 10 years ago, I didn’t really know what I was doing!

I thought of it as a nice way to stay in touch with clients, share valuable insights, and let them know about upcoming classes, events, and services they might find interesting. Looking back, I can see that I was doing some things right – by accident (thank you, gut instinct!) – and others… well, let’s just say there was definitely room for improvement!

Although it wasn’t my original intention, email marketing ended up becoming a really valuable tool for my business. It turned out to be the perfect way to stay top of mind, nurture relationships with past and potential clients and sell my services in a way that felt authentic to me. Given the positive responses I’d get to my weekly emails, I’m confident they were well received by my subscribers too.

The only problem? I was using Mailchimp at the time. I found it to be dull, confusing and, honestly, pretty frustrating to work with.

So, when I launched Set Up To Succeed, I knew I needed email marketing (and the strategy and features that would work for my business), but I also knew I needed to find software that was a better fit for me.

That’s when I came across Flodesk… and I was instantly smitten 😍

Why I chose Flodesk for my email marketing platform

When I started looking for an email platform that made sense for my business, I had three main requirements:

#1    

It had to be beautiful (and brandable) 🎨

I wanted to create emails that felt like me, were visually appealing and completely aligned with my brand (I’m a bit obsessed with keeping my branding consistent across all touchpoints!).

#2     

It had to be intuitive 🧠

This was a biggie! Yes, I understand there’s always a learning curve with new software but I really don’t have time or patience for complicated tech that leaves me with a headache just trying to figure it out.

#3     

It had to work hard for me ⚙️

I wanted a platform that offered all the fancy stuff (like automated workflows, list segmentation, analytics and integrations) so that I could use email marketing in a smoother, smarter and more effective way.

There was no contest… Flodesk ticked all the boxes and then some. And, over the four years I’ve been using it, it’s just got better and better!

 

My favourite (and most used) Flodesk features

Automated Workflows: Flodesk makes it super easy to set up automated email sequences for things like welcome emails, freebie deliveries and follow-up sequences. You can customise everything - from the timing to conditional steps - so it’s the perfect fit for your needs. Once set up, it just runs on autopilot!

List Segmentation: Flodesk lets me segment my email list effortlessly based on actions like clicking a link or downloading a lead magnet. This means I can send the right emails to the right people at the right time, with zero extra effort.

Analytics: Flodesk’s analytics tools allow me to track how my emails are performing. Personally, I don’t get hung up on these stats or check my analytics regularly but when I want clear data to help me optimise my strategy, it’s there in a click of a button.

Design Features: Flodesk really stands out in the design department! I love how simple it is to create gorgeous emails using their pre-built templates, which I can customise to match my brand. Honestly, you’re spoiled for choice… they’re SO good!

Forms and Pop-Ups: Whether I'm capturing leads on my website or social media, Flodesk’s opt-in forms and pop-ups are not only easy to set up but also look amazing (and totally on brand). They've been a game-changer for growing my list!

Integrations: Whilst I still have my fingers crossed for a direct integration with my course platform, Flodesk’s Zapier integration is a lifesaver. It lets me add course purchasers to specific segments and send check-in emails automatically. Plus, the new Canva integration makes designing beautiful emails a breeze!

 

My email marketing process with Flodesk

Now, let’s dive into how I actually use Flodesk in my business.

Regular Emails: I send regular emails to my list - things like newsletters, promotions, blog updates and personal messages. These emails help me stay in front of my audience, showcase my offers and provide value. If that sounds like something you’d be interested in, feel free to sign up at the bottom of this blog post!

Automated Sequences: I use Flodesk’s automated workflows for things like welcome emails (a series that introduces new subscribers to me, my services and what they can expect) and freebie delivery (when someone downloads a freebie, Flodesk sends the content and follow-up emails automatically).

Targeted Workflows: Flodesk lets me create personalised journeys based on my subscribers’ actions. For example, if someone clicks a link about a specific service, they can be added to a workflow that provides more information about that service. Or, if they’ve clicked to tell me that they’re interested in a particular area of business, I can send them emails with my top resources on that topic.

My challenges with email marketing!

Of course, there have been a few hiccups along the way. Even though Flodesk is incredibly user-friendly (especially compared to Mailchimp, which I’d tried before), I’ve still made mistakes… like the time I linked one of my forms to the wrong segment! Luckily, I spotted it quickly, before things got too confusing for me or anyone who signed up.

And I’ll be honest… I remember how intimidating it felt to set up my first automated sequence, even though Flodesk makes the process super visual and intuitive.

 

Three tips for starting with email marketing

If you’re thinking about bringing email marketing into your business, here are a few things to consider:

  1. Decide if it’s right for you
    Email marketing can be a brilliant tool but it’s not a must for every business. If you offer online courses or digital products, your email list will probably become one of your most valuable marketing assets. If you’re focused on in-person services in a local area, it’s not so clear cut but still worth considering, especially if you have a few different service options. When done well, it really can be a game-changer (and I’ve used it successfully in both scenarios).

  2. Start with a clear strategy
    Before you jump in, take some time to think about what you’re hoping to achieve. Whether it’s nurturing potential clients, showcasing your expertise, filling spaces in your group classes or simply staying top of mind for past clients (hello word-of-mouth referrals!), knowing your goal will help shape your emails and make them more effective.

  3. Try Flodesk—with 50% off
    As you can probably tell, I’m a big fan of Flodesk! It’s simple to use, visually intuitive and packed with the features I need, making it perfect for business owners who want to create beautiful emails without wrestling with tech. Plus, they don’t charge more as your list grows, which is a huge win in my book.

 

Get 50% off your first year with Flodesk!

If you’re ready to try email marketing (or take yours to the next level), you can take Flodesk for a free trial run, followed by 50% off your first year by using my exclusive link.  It really is the perfect opportunity to give Flodesk a try.

Email marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With Flodesk, you can create a seamless, automated email system, without making you want to throw your computer out of the window.  I’ve certainly come a long way since my first email marketing attempts and I can’t imagine running my business without it!

Click here to give Flodesk a try and let me know how it works for you!

 

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