by Amber Miller | Aug 3, 2017 | Uncategorized
Using a CRM to manage your email list is common practice in 2017, and Infusionsoft makes it easy to do. But, are you really managing your email list the right way?
Yes, it’s great to have a big list, but it’s even better to have an active and responsive email list. After all, the goal is to turn those leads into buyers. And, you can’t do that if your list isn’t opening and engaging with your emails. Here are our top 5 tips for effective email management:
1. Organic Growth & Permission
Infusionsoft requires a permission-based email marketing strategy. CAN-SPAM laws actually prohibit you from sending emails to just anyone. You must have permission to send emails to your recipients. Permission is obtained from sign up forms on your website. It’s best practice to offer something of value in exchange for someone providing you with their name and email.
Once you obtain the email address, be sure to deliver the content they requested, and let the recipient know how often to expect emails from you. It’s also a great idea to add a checkbox to your opt-in forms asking people to check that they understand the content they will receive.
2. Confirmation
Email confirmation or “double opt-in” helps protect you from malicious bots, fake email addresses, and mistyped email addresses. All of these can negatively impact your sender reputation and prevent emails from being delivered to the inbox.
3. Segment
Don’t send every email to everyone on your list. Collect information on your contacts so you know exactly what they will be interested in. Then, tag them with their interest and only send them information that will be valuable to them.
4. Whitelist
On your thank you page or in the first email you send, ask your subscribers to add your email address to the their address book or safe sender list.
5. List Hygiene
Keep your list healthy by sending frequent communications and always providing an easy way for subscribers to opt-out of your marketing. It’s helpful to set up a regular schedule for sending emails so your recipients will come to expect when they’ll receive your messages. You also need to periodically cleanup your email list to ensure all addresses are current, active and deliverable. To keep your list clean, you’ll want to identify all engaged contacts and tag them. Engaged contacts are those that have recently:
- Opted in via an Infusionsoft hosted web form
- Opened an email
- Clicked a link within an email
- Purchased a product or service
- Been on a recurring subscription
Once you have identified and tagged all contacts meeting at least one of the criterion above, opt-out all unengaged contacts. Please note: The general rule of thumb is to search engaged contacts within the past 120 days (four months).
Infusionsoft even allows you to automate this step. You can easily do this by importing one of the FREE list management campaigns from the Infusionsoft Marketplace like Clean Your Contact List, Hard Bouncy Recovery and/or the Track Email Engagement campaign. Even better, one of the new updates coming to all Infusionsoft apps in August allows you to set a threshold on when your contacts are no longer considered engaged with your list. You can read more about this update here.
These are just some of the ways to keep your Infusionsoft list clean and ensure your emails are delivered to the right contacts at the right time. For more tips for effective email management and ensuring you are compliant with CAN-SPAM laws, contact the Smart to Finish Team for support. We’ll be glad to implement these and other best practices so you can focus on creating new and valuable content and generating even more revenue for your business.
by Amber Miller | Jul 28, 2017 | Infusionsoft, Infusionsoft training
If you use Infusionsoft and WordPress, and you want to simplify and beautify (that’s a word right?!), your opt-in forms, there’s an easy solution…the Infusionsoft Form Tool WordPress plugin.
This new plugin allows you to create opt-in forms right inside of WordPress so you don’t have to switch back and forth between applications, you can design it right on the page and easily add forms on multiple pages too.
It’s easy to get started, and we have all the steps below:
Step One: Install the Plugin in WordPress
- Sign into your WordPress admin account.
- Within WordPress admin view, navigate to the Plugins tab on the sidebar.
- Click the Add New tab under the Plugins
- Search for Infusionsoft Official Opt-In Forms from the search bar found on the top right corner of the WordPress plugin directory view or click here to download it directly.
Step Two: Connect to Infusionsoft
- In WordPress you’ll now see a new item on the left menu: Infusionsoft.
- Hover over this menu item and click Settings.
- Click the New Account
- Enter your application name. This is in your browser window, right before Infusionsoft.com. For example: abc123.infusionsoft.com. Your application name would be abc123.
- Enter your API key. Log into Infusionsoft; select Settings from the Admin menu. Scroll all the way down the page and you’ll see a section called: API. From that section copy the text next to Encrypted Key Value.
- Go back to WordPress and paste the value you just copied into the API key field.
- Click the Authorize button – you’ll be all set!!
Step 3: Create an Opt-In Form:
- From the WordPress dashboard, click on the Infusionsoft link to expand the sidebar and click Opt-in Forms.
- Click on the New Opt-In button on the top right corner of the page from the Opt-In Forms sidebar tab.
Choose what type of opt-in form you would like to use:
- Pop Up Opt-In Form: The form will appear automatically after a specific amount of time, after visitors reach a particular point on your page, or even after visitors leave a comment or make a purchase – your choice!
- Fly In Opt-In Form: This form slides in at the bottom of your visitor’s screen, and you can set it to appear after a specific time or at a specific point on the page.
- Widget Opt-In Form: Use widget forms to create attractive opt-in forms for your sidebar, footer, or any other widget-friendly areas on your website.
- Locked Content Opt-In Form: Protected content forms allow you to offer content your visitors can “unlock” by opting in.
- Below Post Opt-In Form: You can use “Below Content” forms to place an opt-in opportunity at the end of your blog posts or pages. Visitors who read an entire post are highly engaged, so this is an effective way to turn that engagement into a conversion.
- Inline Opt-In Form: Want to insert an opt-in form in the middle of a blog post, rather than the end? Inline forms make it easy. You can display these forms virtually anywhere you’d like on any post or page on your website.
- Notification/Opt-In Bar: Increase your opt-ins, announce your promotions and drive traffic to the pages of your choice by using the attention grabbing top-of-page banner.
- Enter a name for your opt-in form then click the Next: Design button to advance to styling your opt-in form or click the Save & Exit button to save the opt-in and return later to edit its design and display settings.
- Choose one of the form layouts then click the blue Next: Customize button at the bottom.
- Choose one of any pre-designed templates based on preferred color and style. You can alter these colors after you select a template.
- Once you select a template, the screen will scroll to the bottom where you will click the blue Next: Customize button to advance to the next part of customization.
- You may customize the following on your opt-in form: copy, header, message, image, styling, background color, add your own CSS, and so much more too!
- Click the Preview button at the top right of the page as you make style changes to view your progress.
After customizing the above settings, you can click the blue Next: Display button to customize a ton of additional elements. Some of the ones we think you’ll use most often are:
- Trigger after time delay and how long: You can control when you want your form to appear.
- Trigger when a page element is clicked: If a visitor clicks a link your form will appear
- Limit to one display per session: Allows visitors to have a good website experience
- Choose where to display your form.
Click here to view all available options.
Once you have customized the above settings, you are finished the form setup process!
Step 4: Finalize Your Form
To finalize, you must click the gray Save & Exit button at the bottom of the Display Settings tab, and you’re all set.
If you want to use your form as part of a campaign, follow these steps:
- Navigate to Campaign Builder.
- From the campaign goal section on the left-hand sidebar, locate the WordPress Goal goal and drag it onto the campaign canvas.
- With the WordPress Goal on the canvas, double-click on the goal to designate which Infusionsoft WordPress opt-in form completes this campaign goal.
- Select the name of the opt-in form from the drop-down list. If you have a long list of opt-ins, type the name of the desired form, and the form in the list will appear.
Once you select the desired opt-in form, finalize this configuration by clicking the green Save button. Then you’re ready to build out the rest of your campaign.
The Infusionsoft WordPress plugin is a great tool, but if you’re not sure how to set up or the best options to select, just reach out to the Smart to Finish Team. We’re always ready to help!
by Amber Miller | Jul 19, 2017 | Delegating, Entrepreneur
When setting goals, procrastination is not your friend. Without a plan of action, you may never achieve your goals.
While setting your goals, you must be able to visualize the end results. Take a moment of solitude and imagine yourself living the result of each goal. Concentrate on what you are presently doing that helps you visualize your goals as being achievable. Take note of any negative thoughts or feelings as well while you are setting your goals.
Don’t set a goal just because someone else thinks you should. Your goals should come from your feelings and emotions and not from someone else’s wishes. If they’re not your goals, you can never give a full level of commitment, and finding motivation to complete them will be difficult. So, analyze each goal with clear thoughts. The goals you set should be exactly what you want to achieve, be, and have in the future.
Keep in mind that the goals that get you fired up are the most important ones. These positive emotions will inspire you to make these goals real.
Some goal-setting techniques to use are:
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by Amber Miller | Jul 12, 2017 | Featured
Today’s a special day — for two reasons. And, both of them are close to my heart.
Looking back …
July 12th would have been my Grandma Ann’s 103 birthday! Born in Czechoslovakia in 1914, her parents shipped Ann and her sister to the United States at the ripe young age of 14. As parents, their hearts were filled with hopes that their children would have the opportunity to live the American dream. Ann’s mother and father stayed behind, planning to join them the following year. They never came.
I can only imagine the challenges she faced. A young woman in a distant land. Miles away from her parents and friends and other loved ones. No cell phones or internet or Skype to stay in touch. The obstacles she overcame, the courage she had no choice but to embrace, the grace and love she gave to everyone she touched — these will always be imprinted on my heart and soul.
From my Grandma, I pull much inner strength that inspires me as a mother of three beautiful children, a wife of a thoughtful and generous husband, and as an entrepreneur who loves serving others.
I’m truly blessed to have such a powerful example of a woman in my life — a woman of determination, grace and a strong work ethic. For that, my dear Grandma, I thank you. Happy Birthday! Today, she would be proud. Today, she is PROUD.
Looking forward …
While I look back and reflect upon my heritage, I also look forward with a heart bubbling with gratitude, excitement, and possibility!
As I remember and draw upon the strength of my Grandma, I look forward, today, to re-launching my company — Smart to Finish™ — with a brand new website!
Founded in 2004, Smart to Finish™ is an Infusionsoft and online marketing agency. My team members — also know as the Delegation Divas — include top notch implementers with years of experience creating business solutions for clients around the world.
Loyal, hard-working, and talented, the Smart to Finish™ Delegation Divas support our clients with high-touch, focused, and attentive customer care — from start to finish!
Our goal is for each and every client to be our most important client. We are all about you and your business! Our number one goal is to provide quality online marketing solutions that will help you live your dream — whatever that may be.
For our current clients, we thank each and every one of you for your years of support. We wouldn’t be where we are without you to serve.
Pursuing your dream …
For those of you who are new to our site, take a look around and feel free to connect with us on social media. And, if you’re looking to take the next step with your business, feel free to schedule a chat with me. I’d love to hear more about you and your dream and show you how we can help! To connect, schedule your appointment here.
With gratitude,
Amber
CEO and Founder
Smart to Finish™
by Amber Miller | Jun 30, 2017 | Blog, Infusionsoft
After using Infusionsoft for awhile, you’ll soon learn that to make the most out of the application you’ll need some additional tools. Below are just a few of the add-ons that the Smart to Finish Team recommend and can set-up for you too!
If you need better reporting and quality business metrics, this app is for you. By adding Graphly to Infusionsoft you’ll be able to make better decisions for your business. Here are just some of the reports available:
- Value reports: You can determine how much your new buyers spend and how much you spent to acquire them. You can use this data to ensure you’re getting the right new customers, the right way.
- Lead source: You can see which lead sources generated sales of a particular product and/or view the net income of each lead source. This will help you determine where to spend your time (and money!) marketing.
- Campaign email stats: Easily see the opens, clicks and conversions for every email in a campaign. How nice would it be to see at-a-glance what emails are really driving your conversions?
Imagine having your Infusionsoft dashboard look like this:
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by Amber Miller | Jun 26, 2017 | The Team
(Q) A unique fact about you.
My first name is a last name in my family, and it’s a derivation of a place in Scotland called Stairaird. I found this out when I found an early 20th century book of surnames in my college library.
(Q) Do you have pets?
Yes, a cat named Obi. He came with the name Don Juan, so we changed it to Obi Juan.
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by Amber Miller | Jun 26, 2017 | Marketing, The Team
(Q) Where was your favorite vacation?
Jamaica! My husband and I got married in Jamaica, and it was SO beautiful. We are hoping to go back for an upcoming anniversary.
(Q) Do you have pets?
Sure do! I have a dog, 2 cats, and 4 chickens. That’s it, for now….although, a friend currently has 2 kids (aka baby goats) that need a home…
(Q) You love people who…?
Aren’t afraid to be who they truly are or say what they really think.
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by Amber Miller | Jun 23, 2017 | Blog, Infusionsoft
It’s that time again – the Summer slow down. Many entrepreneurs experience a business slump as their communities take time to relax and vacation with families. It’s tempting to join the lazy days of Summer but now is the perfect time to get your business ready for the busy season right around the corner. Use this time to plan your future launches, tighten your business processes and cleanup your systems. If you’re an Infusionsoft user, it’s the perfect time to tune-up your application so it’s running smoothly and working hard for you so you don’t have to! Take time to perform these 5 tasks so you’ll finish the year strong:
1. Organize Tags
The beauty of Infusionsoft is that it allows you to create as many tags as you want so that you can properly segment your list. The bad thing is that you have most likely created a TON of tags and some you may not even remember why you created them at all! Take time to run a report of all your tags and their categories. Go through the list and delete what you aren’t using. CAUTION: tags can control automation in your application; so don’t delete a tag unless you’re sure it’s not being used to trigger something. The Smart to Finish Team can review and clean-up your tags, perform this task regularly so it’s not a big job and better yet, set-up a tagging structure so your tags are always organized!
2. Update Legacy Items
If you have old follow-up sequences, web forms, and/or campaigns, take time to put those into the new campaign builder. That way your emails will be mobile-ready and you can use new features to further automate your systems. If you want to enjoy your Summer, the Smart to Finish Team can create these updated campaigns for you while you lounge by the pool!
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by Amber Miller | Jun 16, 2017 | Blog, Infusionsoft
Infusionsoft is a leading CRM and email marketing software for small business. It is one of the most popular applications on the market and more and more small business owners are using it to improve their marketing every day. Why is it so popular? Here are 5 reasons why Infusionsoft is good for your business:
1. Email Marketing that Works
Did you know that on average it can take anywhere from 5-12(!) touches from you before a lead turns into a customer? Do you have time to personally email everyone on your list this many times? Of course not! Infusionsoft does this work for you – automatically. Plus, these communications are targeted so your leads and customers are getting the information from you they actually want. This saves you time, helps you build better relationships and prevents the dreaded unsubscribe.
2. Know More About Your Leads
Infusionsoft tracks where your leads are coming from so you can leverage that information. At any time you can run a report to see where your leads originated, how many sales you have from those lead sources and more. For example you may discover the majority of your leads are from Facebook, so you can decide to place more effort on your Facebook marketing and less on a channel that isn’t performing as well. (more…)
by Amber Miller | Jun 12, 2017 | Blog, Infusionsoft, Infusionsoft training
Infusionsoft is an all-in-one marketing solution. It can handle everything from automating your marketing, to taking payments online, and so much more. If you want a software that will help you capture more leads, increase your conversions and take you less time, Infusionsoft is the solution. However, it is not the easiest software to learn. Hiring an Infusionsoft professional will help you leverage all of its capabilities and bring you these three benefits too:
1. Increase Your Revenue: Infusionsoft isn’t “just” a CRM; it’s a marketing tool for small business. As such, you not only need someone to help set things up for you, but also someone who understands marketing. An Infusionsoft professional takes your marketing vision, provides input and advice and then sets everything up the best way for YOUR business. As professional we know the in’s and out’s of Infusionsoft and how to use it to optimize your marketing funnels and create a full automated marketing system that ultimately brings you more revenue.
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