How Mailerlite Enables Digital Freebie Delivery To Grow Email Subscribers

MailerLite is an email marketing platform that provides businesses and content creators with tools to deliver digital freebies to subscribers, helping them grow their email lists and engage with their audiences. The platform offers multiple methods for delivering free content, including lead magnets, email courses, and other valuable resources that serve as incentives for visitors to subscribe to an email list. This article explores how MailerLite facilitates the delivery of digital freebies, the setup processes involved, and strategies for maximizing their effectiveness.

Methods for Delivering Freebies in MailerLite

MailerLite provides two primary methods for delivering freebies to new subscribers, each with its own advantages and implementation process.

Double Opt-In Confirmation Email Method

The first method involves sending the freebie directly through the double opt-in confirmation email. This approach requires enabling double opt-in functionality in the form settings, which ensures that subscribers confirm their email addresses before receiving the free content. Once enabled, users can create an opt-in confirmation thank you page containing an external link or button that allows subscribers to download their freebie immediately after confirming their subscription.

This method is straightforward and provides immediate gratification to subscribers who confirm their interest. However, it requires that double opt-in be activated, which may slightly reduce the number of confirmed subscribers compared to single opt-in methods.

Automation Workflow Method

The second method utilizes MailerLite's automation workflows to deliver freebies. This approach involves creating a form (which can be implemented as a landing page, popup, or embedded form) that offers a free gift in exchange for joining an email list. When a subscriber completes this form, it triggers an automation workflow that sends an email containing the freebie.

The automation workflow method offers more flexibility than the double opt-in confirmation method. Subscribers receive the freebie in a dedicated email, which can be customized to include additional content, such as a welcome message, information about what to expect from future emails, or links to relevant resources. This method also allows for more sophisticated segmentation and personalization based on which specific freebie a subscriber requested.

Setting Up Content Gating with MailerLite

Content gating is a strategy where valuable content is made accessible only after visitors provide their email addresses. MailerLite integrates with content management systems like WordPress to implement content gating effectively.

WordPress Integration

MailerLite can be embedded directly into WordPress websites using forms that are designed to capture email addresses in exchange for access to gated content. The integration process involves creating an embedded form within MailerLite and then embedding that form on a WordPress site. Once set up, these forms can trigger automation workflows that deliver the promised free content to new subscribers.

This integration allows website owners to strategically place free offers throughout their sites, creating multiple entry points for capturing email addresses based on visitors' specific interests.

Form Creation and Customization

Effective content gating begins with well-designed forms that clearly communicate the value of the free being offered. MailerLite provides various form types, including landing pages, popups, and embedded forms, each suited to different placement strategies and user experiences.

Once a form is created, it can be customized to match the website's design and branding. The form settings should include enabling double opt-in for security and ensuring subscribers receive immediate confirmation of their subscription. Following form submission, users can set up automation workflows to deliver the promised content, creating a seamless experience from sign-up to freebie receipt.

For different types of content, MailerLite offers various delivery options: - For webpages: Pages can be password-protected with the password emailed to subscribers, or subscribers can be redirected directly to the page after signing up - For PDFs: These can be attached directly to emails or included as download links - For multi-step freebies: A series of emails can be created to drip content out over several days, maintaining engagement and providing ongoing value

Creating Email Courses in MailerLite

Email courses represent a powerful type of digital freebie that provides structured learning experiences to subscribers while keeping them engaged over time. MailerLite offers tools to create and deliver these courses efficiently.

Benefits of Email Courses

Email courses serve multiple purposes in digital marketing strategies. They provide substantial value to subscribers, offering structured content on specific topics. For content creators, email courses increase email open rates as subscribers anticipate receiving each installment. Additionally, email courses help build trust and authority by demonstrating expertise in a particular area.

From a list-building perspective, email courses convert visitors into subscribers at higher rates than simple lead magnets because they represent a more significant commitment from both parties. Subscribers who sign up for email courses are often more engaged and qualified leads.

Step-by-Step Setup Process

Creating an email course in MailerLite involves several key steps:

1. Define the course structure: Determine the number of lessons, the frequency of delivery, and the specific content for each installment.

2. Create a dedicated signup form: Design a form specifically for the email course, highlighting the value and topics covered.

3. Set up an automation workflow: Configure a workflow triggered by form completion that will send the course lessons at specified intervals.

4. Prepare course content: Write and format each lesson, ensuring they provide value and maintain engagement throughout the course.

5. Configure delivery settings: Set the timing for each lesson delivery, typically with 2-4 days between installments to maintain momentum without overwhelming subscribers.

6. Add segmentation and personalization: Use subscriber data to personalize the course experience and add subscribers to appropriate groups for future marketing efforts.

7. Create a welcome email: The first email in the sequence should thank subscribers for joining, outline what to expect from the course, and provide any immediate resources or access to the first lesson.

8. Develop follow-up content: Plan what to send after the course concludes, such as related offers, additional resources, or invitations to join more advanced offerings.

Using Freebies to Promote Digital Products

MailerLite's capabilities extend beyond simple freebie delivery to sophisticated marketing funnels that convert free subscribers into paying customers for digital products.

Digital Product Funnels

Digital product funnels often begin with a freebie or lead magnet that attracts subscribers to an email list. This lower-friction approach makes it easier for people to join a list compared to requiring an immediate purchase. Once subscribed, these new contacts can be nurtured through automated sequences that gradually introduce them to digital products and services.

MailerLite enables the creation of entire sales funnels by combining form capture, email automation, and product promotion. The platform's website builder allows users to create dedicated sales pages for digital products, while the automation features enable targeted follow-up based on subscriber behavior and interests.

Upsell Strategies

Effective use of freebies includes immediate upsell opportunities that leverage the initial interest generated by the free content. MailerLite offers several strategies for implementing upsells within freebie delivery sequences:

1. Success page promotions: Adding a Products block to the success page (the page subscribers see after signing up) allows for immediate product promotion at this critical touchpoint.

2. Welcome email promotions: Including product recommendations in automated welcome emails can capitalize on the positive impression created by delivering the promised freebie.

3. Nurture sequences: Developing multi-email sequences that provide additional value while gradually introducing relevant paid products can convert free subscribers into customers over time.

MailerLite's Advanced plan users aren't limited in the number of products they can create, allowing businesses to develop comprehensive digital product offerings without needing additional platforms. The platform's all-in-one approach combines campaigns, automations, sales tracking, forms, pop-ups, and landing pages, simplifying the management of digital product businesses.

Comparison with Other Platforms

While MailerLite offers robust features for delivering freebies and managing digital products, content creators may consider alternatives based on their specific needs and preferences.

Experience with Kit

One content creator shared their experience transitioning from MailerLite to another platform called Kit. This individual noted several advantages of Kit, including the ability to offer free resources for readers to download more easily, which could potentially lead to increased support for creative professionals. Kit also simplified sending automated thank-you emails to long-term subscribers, facilitating the distribution of rewards, freebies, and discount coupons to loyal audience members.

The creator also highlighted that Kit provides extensive resources to help grow newsletters and businesses, which proved valuable after initial setup was complete.

Why Choose MailerLite for Freebie Delivery

Despite alternatives like Kit, MailerLite offers several advantages for businesses focused on delivering digital freebies:

1. Comprehensive feature set: MailerLite combines list management, automation, form creation, and website building in a single platform.

2. Flexible delivery options: Multiple methods for delivering freebies accommodate various content types and marketing strategies.

3. Integration capabilities: Strong WordPress integration makes it easy to implement content gating on existing websites.

4. Scalability: Plans that accommodate growing subscriber lists and increasing feature needs without requiring platform migration.

5. Customization: Extensive customization options for forms, emails, and automation sequences enable tailored experiences for different audiences.

Conclusion

MailerLite provides a comprehensive platform for delivering digital freebies to email subscribers, offering multiple methods for content distribution and robust features for growing and engaging email lists. Whether through double opt-in confirmation emails, automation workflows, or structured email courses, MailerLite enables businesses and content creators to deliver valuable incentives that attract subscribers and build relationships.

The platform's integration with content management systems, flexible content delivery options, and tools for creating digital product funnels make it suitable for creators at various stages of development. While alternatives exist, MailerLite's all-in-one approach and extensive feature set make it a strong choice for those seeking to leverage digital freebies as part of their email marketing strategy.

For content creators looking to grow their email lists, establish authority in their niches, and develop relationships with their audiences through valuable content, MailerLite offers the tools and functionality needed to implement effective freebie delivery systems that drive subscriber growth and engagement.

Sources

1. MailerLite: How to Send Opt-In Freebie
2. Design with Shay: Content Gating on WordPress with MailerLite
3. Mom Devours Books: Getting Started with MailerLite
4. The Sheep Approach: Creating a Free Email Course in MailerLite
5. MailerLite Blog: Sell Digital Products and Subscriptions
6. Medium: Why I Left MailerLite for Kit