Which Email Marketing Plugin is Best for Teachable?

Question: I’m using Teachable to run my online courses, and I want to start sending marketing emails to my students. I’ve heard about various email marketing options, but I’m unsure which one integrates best with Teachable and offers the features I need. What are my best options, and how do I get started with one?

When it comes to email marketing for Teachable, you’ve got a few solid options that integrate well with the platform. Choosing the right plugin or app can streamline your communication, increase course sign-ups, and improve engagement with students. I’ve explored several plugins, compared their features, and considered whether manually managing email lists could work (it’s a bit tedious). Let’s break down some of the key contenders: ConvertKit, Mailchimp, and ActiveCampaign.

ConvertKit

ConvertKit is a popular choice for course creators because it was built with them in mind. Its deep integration with Teachable makes it easy to tag students based on their course actions—such as sign-ups or completions—allowing for highly targeted email sequences. It’s user-friendly, and its automation features make sending the right message at the right time a breeze. If you’re looking for simplicity and an intuitive interface, ConvertKit shines here.

Pros:

• Excellent Teachable integration
• Simple automation workflows
• Tagging and segmentation features

Cons:

• Limited design customization for emails

Mailchimp

Mailchimp is widely known and offers more advanced email design options. It’s a great all-in-one tool that supports newsletters, automated campaigns, and even transactional emails. While it integrates with Teachable, the connection is a little less seamless compared to ConvertKit. Mailchimp is best if you want strong visual customization in your emails, but you might find the learning curve steeper for setting up workflows tailored to course completion or purchases.

Pros:

• Advanced email design options
• Extensive reporting and analytics
• Free tier for small audiences

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve
• Slightly less smooth integration with Teachable

ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign takes automation to the next level. It integrates well with Teachable and allows for complex workflows based on student behavior. You can send personalized emails based on user actions and create sophisticated automations that track every stage of the student journey. However, for beginners, it might feel overwhelming, and the cost rises quickly as your list grows.

Pros:

• Powerful automations
• Advanced segmentation
• Detailed analytics

Cons:

• Steeper learning curve
• Higher price point for larger lists

Recommendation: ConvertKit

Based on ease of use, smooth Teachable integration, and solid automation features, I recommend ConvertKit for most Teachable users. Its balance of power and simplicity makes it ideal for course creators who want to focus more on their content and less on managing emails. While Mailchimp and ActiveCampaign are solid options, ConvertKit hits the sweet spot for creators looking to scale their email marketing without too much hassle.

How to Install ConvertKit for Teachable

1. Sign up for ConvertKit: Head to ConvertKit’s website and create an account. They offer a free trial so you can test out their features before committing.
2. Connect ConvertKit to Teachable: Log into Teachable and go to the “Settings” tab. From there, navigate to “Integrations.”
3. Enable ConvertKit Integration: Scroll down until you find ConvertKit, then click “Enable.” You’ll need to input your API key from ConvertKit. You can find this by logging into ConvertKit, going to “Account Settings,” and copying the API key.
4. Set Up Tags and Automations: Once connected, start tagging students based on their course activity. You can create automation workflows in ConvertKit to trigger emails when a student enrolls, completes a course, or performs other actions.
5. Start Sending Emails: With everything connected, you can now start sending automated emails to your students, boosting engagement and helping with course promotions.

By following these steps, you’ll have a powerful, easy-to-manage email marketing system in place for your Teachable courses.