How To Use Constant Contact (Beginner’s Guide)

Email marketing is a powerful tool for businesses to connect with their audience and drive meaningful engagement.

As email marketers, we understand the pain of trying to find the right platform that offers simplicity, efficiency, and results.

Enter Constant Contact — a reliable and intuitive email marketing solution that empowers you to create, manage, and analyze email campaigns with ease.

Constant Contact Pricing and Who it’s For:

Constant Contact offers three distinct plans to cater to a range of business sizes and email marketing requirements. Each plan provides unique features and is tailored to suit different stages of a business’s growth and budgetary constraints.

Why Use Constant Contact?

Constant Contact is more than just a platform; it’s a reliable ally that understands the struggles and aspirations of email marketers.

Let’s dive into how Constant Contact can help you conquer your email marketing challenges:

Getting Started with Constant Contact:

Step #1: Sign Up for Constant Contact

1. Visit the Constant Contact website and click on the “Sign Up Free” or “Get Started” button.
2. Enter your business information, including your name, email address, and company name.
3. Select your industry from the provided options to help tailor your email marketing experience.
4. Choose the purpose of your email marketing, whether it’s to promote products, share news, or engage with customers.
5. Review and accept Constant Contact’s terms of service and privacy policy.
6. Click “Get Started” to create your account.

Step #2: Choose the Right Plan for Your Needs

1. After signing up, you will be prompted to select a pricing plan that aligns with your email marketing requirements.
2. Explore the features and pricing details of each plan, including the Email Plan, Email Plus Plan, and Advanced Plan.
3. Consider factors such as the number of contacts you have, the level of automation needed, and the budget available.
4. Once you’ve made your decision, click on the appropriate plan and proceed to the next step.

Step #3: Set Up Your Account

1. Fill in your account details, such as your business address and contact information.
2. Upload your company logo or choose an image that represents your brand.
3. Customize your email sign-up form to collect essential information from subscribers.
4. Connect your social media accounts for seamless integration with Constant Contact.

Step #4: Import and Manage Your Contacts

1. Import your existing contact list from sources like Excel, CSV files, or other email service providers.
2. Organize your contacts into relevant segments based on criteria such as location, interests, or past interactions.
3. Ensure that your contact list is clean and up-to-date by removing duplicates or outdated entries.

Step #5: Design Your First Email Campaign

1. Choose from Constant Contact’s extensive library of email templates or create your own design from scratch.
2. Customize the template to reflect your brand’s colors, fonts, and overall style.
3. Craft compelling and personalized email content that resonates with your target audience.
4. Add eye-catching images, videos, and relevant CTAs to drive engagement and conversions.

Step #6: Schedule and Send Your Email Campaign

1. Review your email content and ensure that all elements are accurate and well-aligned.
2. Preview your email on different devices to ensure it appears as intended.
3. Choose the date and time for your email campaign to be sent.
4. Select the recipients (segments or entire contact list) and click “Send” to launch your email campaign.

Step #7: Analyze and Optimize Campaign Performance

1. Access the reporting and analytics dashboard to track your email campaign’s performance.
2. Monitor metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates.
3. Analyze the data to identify areas of improvement and understand what resonates with your audience.
4. Use the insights gained to optimize future email campaigns and achieve better results.

Step #8: Explore Constant Contact’s Additional Features

• Delve deeper into Constant Contact’s automation capabilities to set up triggered email series and save time.
• Experiment with A/B testing to test different elements of your emails and discover what works best.
• Explore the integration options with social media platforms and other tools to extend your marketing reach.
• Utilize the Constant Contact mobile app to manage campaigns on the go and stay connected with your audience.

Building and Managing Your Contact List:

Your contact list is the lifeblood of your email marketing campaigns. With Constant Contact, importing contacts from different sources is as easy as pie.

Whether it’s from your favorite CRM or a simple CSV file, the platform ensures smooth data transfer.

What’s more, you can create targeted segments that allow you to personalize and deliver relevant content to your subscribers.

Growing your list becomes a breeze with customizable sign-up forms and integration options.

Effective Strategies to Build an Email List: Engaging Your Audience and Growing Your Reach

Strategy #1: Optimize Sign-Up Forms and Landing Pages

Your sign-up forms and landing pages play a crucial role in capturing your audience’s attention and enticing them to join your email list. Implementing optimization strategies will maximize your chances of attracting new subscribers:

1. Create Compelling Sign-Up Incentives: Offer valuable incentives, such as exclusive discounts, free resources, or access to premium content, to entice visitors to sign up for your emails. Clearly communicate the benefits they will receive by joining your list.
2. Craft Clear and Concise Copy: Use persuasive and straightforward language to convey the value of subscribing. Clearly state what subscribers can expect, how often they’ll receive emails and the kind of content they’ll get.
3. Use Eye-Catching Design: Design your sign-up forms and landing pages with a clean, attractive layout that aligns with your brand. Use eye-catching visuals and color schemes to draw attention to the sign-up CTA.
4. Keep Forms Simple: Avoid overwhelming potential subscribers with lengthy forms. Ask for essential information like name and email address. Lengthy forms can deter visitors from signing up.
5. Implement A/B Testing: Continuously test different form and landing page variations to identify which elements drive the highest conversions. A/B testing helps you optimize and fine-tune your sign-up process for better results.

Strategy #2: Leverage Content Marketing

Content marketing is a powerful tool to attract your target audience and nurture their interest in joining your email list. Implement the following content-focused strategies to build a loyal subscriber base:

1. Create Valuable Content: Develop high-quality, informative, and engaging content that aligns with your audience’s interests and pain points. Offer solutions and insights that showcase your expertise and establish trust.
2. Implement Gated Content: Gate some of your most valuable content behind sign-up forms. This approach encourages visitors to provide their email addresses to access premium resources, such as e-books, webinars, or exclusive articles.
3. Utilize Lead Magnets: Offer lead magnets, which are free downloadable resources, in exchange for email subscriptions. These can include cheat sheets, checklists, templates, or any resource that adds immediate value to your audience.
4. Host Webinars and Events: Webinars and virtual events are excellent opportunities to engage your audience in real time and collect email addresses during registration. Deliver valuable insights and interactive experiences to encourage sign-ups.
5. Incorporate Pop-Ups and Slide-Ins: Strategically use pop-ups or slide-in forms on your website to capture visitors’ attention at key moments. Time these pop-ups to appear when visitors are most likely to engage with your content.

Strategy #3: Run Contests and Giveaways

Contests and giveaways are effective tactics to generate excitement and encourage audience participation. When executed thoughtfully, they can yield substantial growth in your email list:

1. Choose Relevant Prizes: Select prizes that align with your target audience’s interests and needs. The more relevant the prizes, the more likely they will attract people genuinely interested in your brand.
2. Use Social Media Promotion: Leverage your social media channels to promote the contest or giveaway. Encourage participants to share the content with their networks, reaching a wider audience and driving more entries.
3. Require Email Sign-Up for Participation: Make email submission a mandatory requirement to enter the contest or giveaway. This ensures that participants willingly provide their email addresses to join your list.
4. Partner with Influencers: Collaborate with influencers or industry leaders to co-host the contest or giveaway. Their endorsement can significantly increase the reach and credibility of your promotion.
5. Follow Up with Participants: After the contest or giveaway ends, engage with participants through email by thanking them for their participation and offering exclusive post-event deals or content. This follow-up encourages continued engagement and nurtures the relationship with new subscribers.

Designing Eye-Catching Emails:

Gone are the days of generic and uninspiring emails. Constant Contact offers a treasure trove of stunning email templates, each fully customizable to reflect your brand’s essence.

Their drag-and-drop editor is a delight to use, enabling you to create beautiful emails without any design skills. Add engaging images, videos, and compelling CTAs to entice your audience to take action.

Automating Your Email Marketing:

Imagine having an assistant who automatically sends out personalized emails at the perfect moment.

With Constant Contact’s automation features, you can set up welcome series, abandoned cart reminders, and more.

Your emails will reach your subscribers precisely when they need them, boosting conversions and customer loyalty.

Conducting A/B Tests for Better Results:

The path to email marketing success often involves experimentation and continuous improvement.

Constant Contact encourages you to put on your lab coat and run A/B tests to uncover what resonates best with your audience.

Test different subject lines, content formats, and visuals, and let data guide your decisions.

Monitoring and Analyzing Campaign Performance:

When it comes to understanding your email marketing performance, Constant Contact delivers crystal-clear insights.

Dive deep into the reports and analyze open rates, click-through rates, and other key metrics. Leverage these data insights to refine your strategy and enhance future campaigns.

Integrating Social Media with Constant Contact:

A match made in marketing heaven – email and social media working hand in hand. Constant

Contact seamlessly integrates with popular social media platforms, allowing you to expand your reach and engage your audience on multiple fronts. Share your email campaigns with just a few clicks and watch your content go viral.

Ensuring Email Deliverability and Compliance:

Worried about your emails ending up in the spam folder?

Constant Contact has your back. They equip you with deliverability best practices to ensure your emails reach your audience’s inboxes.

Complying with anti-spam laws and email marketing regulations becomes a breeze with the platform’s guidance.

Constant Contact Mobile App Usage:

As email marketers, we understand that inspiration can strike at any moment.

With the Constant Contact mobile app, you can unleash your creativity on the go. Access your campaigns, create content, and manage your email marketing efforts from the palm of your hand.

Getting Help and Support with Constant Contact:

No one likes to feel lost and alone. Constant Contact’s support resources are here to rescue you when you’re facing challenges.

Access their comprehensive help center, documentation, and video tutorials.

Engage with the vibrant Constant Contact Community, where you can learn from fellow marketers’ success stories and share your journey.

Key Features of Constant Contact:

The table below summarizes the key features that make Constant Contact your ultimate email marketing companion:

Pros of Constant Contact:

1. User-Friendly Interface: Constant Contact’s platform boasts an intuitive design that makes it easy for email marketers of all levels to navigate and create impactful campaigns. Its drag-and-drop editor and customizable templates save time and effort.
2. Versatile Email Templates: With a wide array of stunning and customizable templates, Constant Contact allows marketers to craft visually appealing emails that align with their brand’s identity. This versatility helps businesses stand out in crowded inboxes.
3. Robust Automation: Constant Contact’s automation capabilities enable marketers to set up personalized email journeys that respond to subscribers’ actions and behaviors. This powerful feature streamlines the communication process and nurtures customer relationships.
4. Advanced Reporting: The platform offers comprehensive reporting and analytics, providing valuable insights into campaign performance. Marketers can track open rates, click-through rates, and other metrics to optimize future email strategies for better results.
5. Seamless Social Media Integration: Constant Contact’s integration with popular social media platforms allows marketers to expand their reach and leverage both email and social channels for maximum impact. Sharing email campaigns on social media becomes effortless.
6. Mobile App Access: With the Constant Contact mobile app, marketers can manage email campaigns on the go, ensuring that they can respond quickly to opportunities and inspirations wherever they are.
7. Deliverability Assurance: Constant Contact prioritizes email deliverability, helping marketers avoid spam folders and ensuring that their emails reach their intended recipients’ inboxes.
8. Excellent Customer Support: Constant Contact provides valuable resources, including a help center, documentation, and video tutorials, to assist users. The vibrant Constant Contact Community fosters learning and collaboration among marketers.

Cons of Constant Contact:

1. Costly for Large Lists: While Constant Contact offers various pricing plans, it can become relatively expensive for businesses with large contact lists. Marketers should carefully consider their email marketing needs and budget before committing to a plan.
2. Limited Customization for Advanced Users: Although the platform’s templates and editor are user-friendly, experienced designers may find some limitations in customization options. Those with specific design requirements might need to explore more flexible alternatives.
3. Limited Integrations: While Constant Contact integrates well with major social media platforms, it may have limited integrations with other third-party apps and software, potentially restricting seamless workflows for some businesses.
4. Automation Complexity: While Constant Contact’s automation is robust, setting up complex automated campaigns may require a steeper learning curve for less experienced users.
5. Overwhelming for Beginners: While Constant Contact aims to be user-friendly, some beginners might feel overwhelmed by the platform’s range of features and options, especially if they are new to email marketing.

Email Marketing Case Studies

Case Study #1: Lyft – Personalization Drives Engagement

Brand: Lyft (Ride-sharing platform)

Objective: To improve user engagement and increase rider retention.

Strategy: Lyft utilized email personalization to create more targeted and relevant campaigns for its users. They segmented their email list based on various factors, including location, ride history, and preferences. By using data-driven insights, they tailored their emails to each user’s specific needs and interests.

Results: The personalized email campaigns resulted in a 20% increase in click-through rates and a 15% increase in user retention. Lyft’s customers felt more valued and connected to the brand, leading to higher engagement and repeat usage of the ride-sharing service.

Case Study #2: Grammarly – Onboarding Email Series Boosts Conversions

Brand: Grammarly (AI-powered writing assistant)

Objective: To increase user activation and conversion rates.

Strategy: Grammarly implemented an onboarding email series designed to guide new users through the platform’s features and benefits.

The series included helpful tips, video tutorials, and examples of how users could integrate Grammarly into their writing workflow effectively.

Results: The onboarding email series resulted in a 25% increase in user activation and a 20% increase in premium subscription conversions. By providing valuable content and guiding users on how to make the most of their platform, Grammarly nurtured new customers and turned them into loyal users.

Case Study #3: Huckberry – Segmentation Drives Revenue

Brand: Huckberry (E-commerce lifestyle brand)

Objective: To improve email engagement and drive revenue.

Strategy: Huckberry implemented a segmentation strategy based on customer behavior and preferences. They targeted different segments with personalized product recommendations, exclusive offers, and relevant content that resonated with each group.

Results: The segmented email campaigns led to a 30% increase in email open rates and a 20% increase in click-through rates. Furthermore, revenue generated from email marketing increased by 40%.

Huckberry’s targeted approach ensured that customers received content and offers tailored to their interests, resulting in a more engaged and loyal customer base.

Constant Contact Pricing

Constant Contact offers a range of pricing plans to suit businesses of all sizes and needs. Whether you’re a startup or an established enterprise, there’s a plan that will fit your requirements perfectly.

1). Email Plan: The Email Plan is ideal for small businesses, startups, and marketers who are just beginning their email marketing journey.

It offers a budget-friendly starting point, with prices starting at $20 per month, varying based on the number of contacts.

This plan equips users with essential email marketing tools, such as customizable templates, contact management, and basic reporting. It’s perfect for those looking to engage their audience with well-designed emails while being mindful of costs.

2). Email Plus Plan: For growing businesses and established enterprises, the Email Plus Plan offers more advanced features and automation capabilities.

Pricing begins at $45 per month, and the cost varies based on the number of contacts.

This plan allows marketers to take their email campaigns to the next level by enabling them to automate emails, conduct A/B tests, and access in-depth reporting and analytics.

The Email Plus Plan is ideal for businesses seeking to enhance engagement, increase conversions, and refine their email strategies.

3). Advanced Plan: Designed to meet the needs of large enterprises with extensive email requirements, the Advanced Plan offers custom pricing tailored to each business’s unique demands.

This plan provides access to top-tier features, personalized support, and customized solutions.

Companies looking for a comprehensive email marketing platform with a high level of service and flexibility will find the Advanced Plan best suited to their needs.

Is Constant Contact Better?

The truth is that Constant Contact isn’t just an email marketing platform; it’s your trusted ally on the road to email marketing success.

With its user-friendly interface, powerful features, and unwavering support, you’ll be well-equipped to build meaningful connections with your audience and achieve your business objectives.

Embrace Constant Contact and watch your email marketing campaigns soar to new heights.