MailerLite provides a platform for businesses to manage email marketing campaigns, which can be used to distribute information about free samples, promotional offers, and product trials. The platform offers a free plan that includes features relevant to organizing these campaigns, such as subscriber management, automation, and landing page creation. Understanding the capabilities and limitations of this free plan is essential for businesses looking to promote no-cost product trials or brand freebies to consumers.
Overview of MailerLite’s Free Plan
The MailerLite free plan is designed for users who want to explore email marketing without a financial commitment. It includes access to a user-friendly interface and email support. A key benefit is the ability to send up to 12,000 emails per month to a limited number of subscribers. If the subscriber count exceeds 500, an upgrade to a paid plan is required. The free plan provides access to essential features, including subscribe forms, landing pages, and automation tools. This allows businesses to create campaigns for free samples or promotional offers without initial investment.
Creating Opt-In Forms for Sample Requests
Opt-in forms are critical for collecting email addresses from consumers interested in free samples or promotional offers. MailerLite allows users to create custom forms that match brand identity using a drag-and-drop editor. Users can choose between embedded forms or pop-up forms. When using pop-up forms, it is recommended to set a delay to avoid covering website content, which can be annoying to readers and potentially harmful for search engine optimization.
Once a form is created, users can link it to a website or a landing page created within MailerLite. It is recommended to set up a thank you page to deliver the freebie or lead magnet. This page can also be used to promote services or link to low-ticket offers. These forms can be integrated with web apps to ensure seamless data synchronization and automation.
Using Email Automation for Campaigns
Email automation is a crucial feature for managing campaigns involving free samples or trials. On the free plan, users can set up automated welcome emails and opt-in forms to engage with their audience. This allows businesses to streamline the process of nurturing leads and delivering digital freebies, such as ebooks or fillable PDFs.
For example, a business can create an automated workflow to send a series of emails to new subscribers who sign up for a free sample campaign. The workflow editor allows users to create custom paths, enabling subscribers to self-segment into targeted audiences. This is useful for categorizing subscribers based on their interest in specific product categories, such as beauty, baby care, or household goods.
Landing Pages and Website Building
MailerLite allows users to create landing pages without needing an external website. These landing pages can be used as the destination for promotional links shared on social media or other channels. Users can utilize pre-built design blocks to create a captivating landing page that resonates with their audience. This is particularly useful for specific campaigns, such as a limited-time offer for free pet food samples or a health product trial.
Support and Resources
Users of the free plan have access to customer support through MailerLite’s knowledge base. During a 14-day free trial of premium features, users can contact the support team via live chat or email. Once the trial ends, users retain access to a library of help articles and tutorials in the Customer self-service center. Additionally, the MailerLite community allows users to collaborate and get ideas from other users.
Best Practices for Free Sample Campaigns
To maximize engagement, businesses should experiment with different email templates, subject lines, and targeting strategies. Crafting compelling subject lines using the drag-and-drop editor can help welcome emails leave a lasting impression. It is important to make the most of the platform's features to stand out in crowded inboxes.
For those who find the technical setup challenging, there are services available to handle the setup of opt-in pages and lead magnet delivery. These services typically require the user to provide the lead magnet, copy, and graphics.
Conclusion
MailerLite offers a robust set of tools for businesses looking to promote free samples and promotional offers. The free plan provides sufficient functionality to start building an email list, creating opt-in forms, and setting up basic automation. By leveraging these features, businesses can effectively reach U.S. consumers interested in freebies across various categories. While the free plan has subscriber limits, it serves as a valuable starting point for email marketing campaigns.