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Now that that’s over
September 27, 2016 by Leave a Comment
A Day in the Life of a Constant Contact Solution Provider Partner
April 5, 2016 by Leave a Comment
I love helping small businesses grow and succeed as a partner with Constant Contact.
Since email marketing has been shown to work best, I encourage small businesses that I work with to sign up for a Constant Contact account. For those who are already using Constant Contact– we work together to make the best use of their account – figuring out ways to build lists; improving and tightening branding; working on shortening messages and making sure everything sent out is mobile-friendly.
As technology is constantly changing, part of the challenge we all face is to keep up with it. That’s why I spent the time, money, and effort to become Master Certified in Constant Contact. That assures the people I work with that my skills are top-notch and through frequent training, I keep them there!
I love working with my clients. I’ve learned more about new kinds of businesses in the last couple of years than in the rest of my life combined. From people who take dogs on hikes to all sorts of alternative healing modalities, real estate agents, home inspectors, universities and the list goes on and on! I especially love networking – and bringing businesses that can help one another, together.
The most exciting part of being a solution provider for me is the wide variety of work that I do for clients. Sometimes it’s answering a simple question about how to align an image. Other times, the conversations are longer and have more to do with strategy. Every day brings me new questions and I continue to grow my own knowledge base. What’s really interesting is how everything is constantly in motion, as well. I also teach classes on how and why to use email marketing and social media. Sometimes in the middle of a class, I’ll be demonstrating something and a new feature pops up that I’ve never seen before – Facebook is particularly prone to new changes that roll out, suddenly! So, one learns how to surf – and gets comfortable saying “you know what, I don’t know! – I’ll have to look into that for you”.
Being a Solution Provider is probably not for everyone, but it’s worked well for me. I like receiving the training that’s offered – it’s like being enrolled in a grad school course on small business marketing that never ends. The core certification process is pretty straightforward – and through the master certification process, I actually learned some things I didn’t know about Constant Contact.
If you’d like to know more about the Constant Contact Solution Provider program or have questions about how I run my business, please get in touch. One way to see me in action is via my newsletter where I share business marketing tips. I hope things are thriving with your business.
Sincerely, Albert Kaufman, Albertideation
At Constant Contact’s OneCon convention in 2015 in Las Vegas
Reasons not to use Mailchimp
February 19, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Here’s Why Not Mailchimp
Current: 6.20.25
Assume for a moment that you want to use email marketing for your business or project. Email marketing brings $44.25 ROI – it’s the best way to reach your customers/clients/friends & family and keep connected – here’s why I suggest you don’t choose Mailchimp. If you do – great – it’s important to use an email service provider.
Full disclosure – I am a Constant Contact solution provider, so that is what I use 100% of the time, and I encourage others to, as well. For more on why I like Constant Contact, you can read elsewhere on this site, or join my e-list, and I’ll keep you posted.
This one is for anyone considering Mailchimp or using it currently, and why I recommend against that choice. I have used Mailchimp, and I’ve signed up for my share of newsletters – here’s what I think.
- Mailchimp makes you look bad. Unless you do a significant amount of customization of the onboarding process, you tend to look like everyone else. From the sign-up form to the series of emails confirming that I want to receive your newsletter, to the newsletter itself, most people’s efforts look similar, and that’s not a good thing.
- Gray – there’s a lot of gray in everything that Mailchimp does, and which in turn, you’re doing. From the sign-up process to the templates – gray. Do you like gray? It’s the color of the Portland sky much of the time – but there’s a wider color spectrum out there. If you want to improve your use of Mailchimp, find places to replace the gray 🙂
- The sign-up process. I joined your email list, and I’m put through a process that has me sign up; I receive a confirmation email, send that back in, and get another email. This is a double-check. This wouldn’t be so bad except that all along the way, I’m receiving things from you that are lackluster. So, if you’re going with this process, get in there and customize the experience, brand it, push back against the gray. My first experience with your business shouldn’t be lackluster. Given that the first email you send a customer is the one with the highest open rate, you really want that to count. In this area, your first 3 emails are generally all a waste of the person’s time if you use Mailchimp.
- Within Mailchimp, things can be difficult. Manipulating lists is one area I’ve felt can use a lot of help. If you’ll be doing much segmenting or data wrangling, this is an area to be wary of and hopefully avoid.
- Mailchimp Support? Like many online companies, you don’t get what you don’t pay for. This is one spot where you really want support. Your email marketing efforts are going to be key to your success – you want the best support possible. This is not Mailchimp’s strong suit (it is Constant Contact’s strong suit).
- Constant upsell. List getting bigger – time to pay – want that feature? Time to upgrade. Since getting used to a program takes time (esp. as they continually change) – get into something you’re going to want to stick with for a while. I find navigating a Mailchimp account cumbersome and so I will not work it and tend to unsubscribe from mailing lists that use it.
- All of the above should be enough to give one pause before going down the Mailchimp road. – and, all of this said – I do advise using Mailchimp over using nothing – it’s key to use an email service provider in this day and age.
- 6.12.18 – Podcast comparison: “Today, email marketing guru Liz goes over the differences between the email marketing heavyweights: MailChimp and Constant Contact. What she found surprised her. She also lets you know if either can take the place of a full Customer Relationship Management system (CRM)“
2.26.16 – This infographic is just in from Insiderhub. Here’s another comparison from May 2017 Constant Contact and MailChimp Comparison Chart.
2018 January comparison article.
The Power of Your Many Inboxes
February 6, 2016 by 1 Comment
Inboxes
Since the start of 2016 I’ve taught a class called The Power of the Inbox as part of Constant Contact’s celebration of having trained over 1 million people since they opened their doors. These classes focus on the value of email marketing and how to do it right. Some of the main points are getting a great subject line going; using mobile-friendly templates; sending from a recognizable email address – and so much more. To see a video of the class as a webinar, click here. Something interesting occurred to me as I’ve been teaching this class – the rise of the importance of your other inboxes! Email remains the key way to reach customers, clients, friends and family, and it turns out, you can’t neglect the communications coming via your Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter messaging systems (to name just 3).
A client, Gregg Harris (of Rooseveltpdx – a fantastic terrarium store on 44th and Hawthorne in Portland, Oregon, which made my top 11 list for 2015) said to me the other day “Albert, people are expecting me to respond to their communications on Facebook“. I am so fully busy in the on-line world that I’ve just taken it for granted that messages that come in via various platforms are “like” email, and so should be treated as such. But, like Gregg, I tend to let many of those messages languish for days – especially messages from Twitter and LinkedIn. I’m on Facebook so much that I tend to use their messenger at about the same rate of response as email, but Gregg’s woken me up to how I should be treating all on-line communications. And there’s a simple solution – notifications.
Within each social network is a way to be notified (via email, of course) when a message has come into your account. My recommendation would be to turn on any direct messages you get via Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter and see if any business or important information is coming your way. I’ll do the same and I’ll keep you posted what I learn. Timing is often important in this instant gratification world. If a request for your services comes in through a channel you’re not monitoring, you may miss something important. Let me know what you think in the comments below. Thanks for reading. Albert
Can you spot the fish?
Constant Contact Tutorial
November 9, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Constant Contact Tutorial
I’ve been teaching people how to use Constant Contact and email marketing for years. If you’d like to get started – sign up for a free trial account and then follow this step by step tutorial. At the end of the tutorial I also give a few cool tips on how to use Facebook and LinkedIn that you may never have heard before. If you have any questions, please get in touch – I’m here to help!
If you already use Constant Contact, please join my Managed Care Program. Every Constant Contact user gets a Solution Provider to work with and I’d love to be yours. This tutorial will probably teach you something you don’t know yet, too – so check it out and let me know what you think!
Take care and happy email marketing!
Yours, Albert Kaufman
I visited the Red Rock Resort in October 2015 to learn the latest from Constant Contact!
OneCon 2015
October 8, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Takeaways from OneCon 2015
I attended Constant Contact’s OneCon in Las Vegas from October 4-6th, 2015. This time I was much better prepared to take advantage of all that was on offer – great keynote sessions; product updates; panels; and lots of time for networking. I learned a ton – some is evident through the pictures and captions below, but some will have to wait until I gather my notes and go a bit deeper. I think one of my main takeaways was that I’m on the right track. Listening to email marketing expert/guru, Michael Katz speak a couple of times, reminded me that I’m doing a lot of what he does – and what he does works. He’s himself. He tells stories. He has a relaxed take on things – very refreshing in the world of business. And, he’s a solopreneur, just like me!
I also have been moving to a more philosophical take on what I do. Reviewing the situation… And, I think I’m figuring out a way forward that works for me. Working with great clients who are doing interesting things and taking the time to get things right. I’m not rushing and I’m being more careful and considerate as I go. And, what a great bunch of people I’ve decided to join up with (both within Constant Contact and my current client mix). I’m more convinced by this year’s OneCon that email marketing is THE way forward for small businesses who want to reach their audiences in an easy and inexpensive and REPEATABLE way. Hearing peoples’ challenges in quantifying value from social media was refreshing. Here are some photos and some ideas – enjoy! Your feedback (a gift, thanks Ron Cates for reminding us of that) is welcome in the comments section, below.
If you’d like to get started working together, start by signing up for a Constant Contact account. As one longtime solution provider clearly stated: “If you don’t have $20/mo. to spend on marketing, you’re not really in business”. Take yourself and your efforts seriously and invest in email marketing!
On the left: Brandon Klayton of Conscious Commerce in Canada. One of my mentors. Learn more about him here: https://www.cc94.com/
A brilliant panel about ways to make what we do pay off
New Constant Contact features delivered this year. I’m going to do a blog post on this slide. (Can you say AUTORESPONDERS?) Or, perhaps a short video. Next week, I promise!
Constant Contact making a point by turning off the screen for a moment (clever!)
More brilliance from experts on client relations. Michael Katz, moderating.
A great panel with Michael Katz discussing good clients and how to keep them. Bad clients and how to fire them 🙂
This was a slide shared by Michael Katz that outlines his strategy for running his business. I think I’m going to move towards this model. Lunch, anyone?
Close-up of a donut! Who is in your network?
Great info presented clearly by Michael Katz.
Michael Katz. Simply. The. Best. This is one person who continues to inspire me day in and day out. Maybe it’s the way he wears his heart on his sleeve. Maybe it’s the fun stories that are always teaching me something. Whatever it is, if you’re not on his email list, join it and you’ll soon see what I’m talking about. If we all did more of what he does, the world would be a better place (and you’d find those clients you wish you had 🙂 https://bluepenguindevelopment.com/ I also like his “Today I…” series… You can sign up for it, here. https://thetodayiblog.com/
Corissa St. Laurent, Carol Infranca, Don Richardson, Debbie Rinckey and Kathy Day. My fellow PNW ALEs (and Corissa, my Regional Development Director for Constant Contact)
The Team from the Pacific Northwest: L to R: Twanda, Carol, Moi, Debbie, Lisa, Kathy, Don and Corissa
Corissa St. Laurent & Stuart Atkins
Ron Cates (watch for him on the stand-up circuit, btw), fellow ALE – Don Richardson, and Gail Goodman, the CEO of Constant Contact. learn more about Don @ https://www.digitalpopcorn.net/
It was gray and rainy… wait, it’s not Portland! you can tell by the palm trees. We had flash flood warnings on Saturday night!
Marsha Pearson a fellow ALE from Philadelphia. One of my highlights was hanging out together on the ride in. Learn more about her @ https://emailmarketing.guru/
When this event comes to Portlandia, we will not have any bottled water. I will see to that!
One of my favorite slides. Straightforward and correct.
Zachary Barron, our area director
Hanging out with my fellow Pacific Northwest Authorized Local Experts over drinks in the lobby. From left to right: Carol, Lisa, Don and Twanda!
My fellow Pacific Northwest Authorized Local Expert team!
One amazing chandelier
This chandelier was sparkly
The chandeliers at the Red Rock Resort are really eye-catching
First panel of the day on Sunday
Some words about my work with one of my favorite clients, Gaealana Healing Arts
There was a nice poster about my work with Gaealana Healing Arts in Portland, Oregon near the front of the room: https://www.gaealanahealingarts.com/
Thanks to everyone at Constant Contact for hosting such a great, inspiring event! Until #onecon2016 (in Portlandia, ok?)
The graphics were really nicely done – sharp and clear – makes a big difference!
First session on Sunday – everyone was pumped up and enthuiastic
One of the opening sessions featured Richard Israel who leads the Solution Provider Program for Constant Contact
Such a comfy bed – I could get used to living like this!
The view from my amazing room at the Red Rock Resort
#OneCon2015 in Las Vegas – Constant Contact’s annual convention for solution providers – Thanks again! See you at #onecon2016!
See you next year!
