DOWNSTAGE MEDIA BLOG
SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY, MESSAGING, AND EMAIL MARKETING TIPS
The Email Signup Experiment Wrap-Up:
I set a simple goal: get 10 new email subscribers by March 31. No ads. No big campaigns. Just smarter placement, clearer messaging, and a system that could run while I focused on client work. Here’s what worked, what didn’t—and what I’ll try next time.
A Week of Zero Conversions: Week 8
This week’s Email Signup Experiment took an unexpected turn—zero conversions despite steady traffic. What went wrong? We break down the data, analyze possible causes, and outline next steps to get signups back on track.
Signs of Progress Email Signup Experiment: Week 7
This week’s Email Signup Experiment revealed a surprising boost in signups, with the pop-up and sticky footer leading the way. But high-traffic blog pages still aren’t converting. See what’s working, what’s not, and the next steps to optimize our strategy.
Expanding What We Track Email Signup Experiment: Week 6
Tracking the right data makes all the difference. This week, we uncovered signups from unexpected sources, proving that expanding what we measure is just as important as optimizing how we capture leads.
The Numbers Don’t Lie The Email Signup Experiment: Week 5
The Email Signup Experiment just hit a turning point—our latest numbers are at zero signups for the week. If you neglect your own marketing, your results will suffer. In this update, we analyze why conversions have stalled and what needs to change immediately to turn things around.
No Changes, No Progress? The Email Signup Experiment: Week 4
This week’s Email Signup Experiment proved that doing nothing leads to… well, not much. With no changes made, our pop-up maintained its underwhelming conversion rate, and high-traffic blog pages still didn’t deliver signups. Next week, we’re adjusting timing, refining our CTA, and rethinking form placement to finally break through.
Lessons Learned and Next Moves: The Email Signup Experiment, Week 3
The Email Signup Experiment continues, and this week’s data reveals some unexpected shifts. While the home page saw its first signup, the pop-up’s conversion rate dropped significantly. Are visitors tuning it out? We’re making key adjustments to timing, messaging, and placement to improve performance. Read on to see what worked, what didn’t, and what we’re testing next.
The Email Signup Experiment: What’s Working, What’s Not, and What’s Next
The Email Signup Experiment is in full swing, and this week’s results revealed both progress and challenges. While adding the form to high-traffic blog posts didn’t generate signups, the pop-up saw a 5.9% conversion rate—better than nothing, but still below the industry average. With a combined conversion rate of 2.3%, it’s clear we need to refine our approach. The focus now? Improving visibility, tweaking messaging, and driving more traffic to high-converting pages. Can these adjustments push us closer to our goal of 10 new subscribers by March 31? We’re about to find out.
Wins, Woes, and What’s Next: The Email Signup Experiment, Week 2
Join Annie Figenshu and her AI assistant, Betty Bot-ley, as they dive into this week's Email Signup Experiment results. Discover insights from Newsletter Form 5 2, including a solid 7.7% conversion rate but low traffic challenges. Learn actionable strategies to boost visibility and engagement while working toward the goal of 10 new subscribers by March 31. Ready to optimize your own signup forms? Let's explore together!
Building a Better Email Signup Form: My Experiment to Get 10 New Subscribers by March 31
Discover the art of crafting effective lead capture forms in this real-time experiment. Follow along as I implement proven strategies, track progress, and share actionable insights to help you build your email list and turn visitors into loyal subscribers.
Is Tilt Publishing Right for Your Book? Here’s What You Need to Know.
Tilt Publishing isn’t just about getting your book on the shelves—it’s about giving authors the control, reader data, and engagement they deserve. As the publisher of The Content Entrepreneur and Simple Social Media, I chose Tilt for the same reasons you might: meaningful connections, long-term growth, and turning a book into a true brand-building tool. Discover how Tilt’s unique approach can transform your book from launch day to lasting impact.
StoryBrand for Content Marketing: Using Frameworks to Improve Blog Posts, Social Media Posts, and Email Campaigns
Discover how the StoryBrand framework can transform your content marketing strategy from chaotic to cohesive. By applying StoryBrand across your emails, social media, and website, you’ll create messaging that resonates with your audience, increases engagement, and drives real results. Learn why this proven approach can make your marketing easier and more effective—and how Annie Figenshu can guide you every step of the way.
Embracing Evergreen Email Automation
You want to send emails out regularly, but life gets in the way. If you don’t find a sustainable way to manage your email marketing, you risk losing potential revenue. Plus, you might find yourself stuck on the content hamster wheel, always scrambling to keep up. Evergreen content is your new best friend. Create an email automation around that content and you will be able to relax and focus on other areas of your business. Here’s how to do it.
How Can a Clear BrandScript Boost Your Mailchimp Campaigns?
Struggling with inconsistent messaging and low engagement in your email marketing? Discover how a BrandScript can transform your Mailchimp campaigns. Learn how clear, compelling messaging can boost open rates, click-through rates, and strengthen your brand identity. In this blog post, I'll share practical steps to implement a BrandScript and real-life success stories that prove its impact. Ready to elevate your email marketing strategy? Read on to find out how!
What 3 marketing steps are designed to build customer relationships?
Building customer relationships. Growing audience. Growing customer relationships. Building audience. That’s the marketing mantra for many companies. If you’re not building relationships with your current customers, you are always on the lookout for new ones. And if you’re always on the lookout for new customers, you are missing out on opportunities to keep your customers coming back to you.
Let’s break down the final stage of the 3-Stage Marketing Strategy. Here we’ll discuss ongoing content and sales so that you know what to focus on in your marketing in order to build relationships and grow audiences. Or, is it the other way around?
What 3 marketing steps will save time but still grow my audience?
Learn how to grow your audience without the headache - discover the three simple steps that make marketing easier and faster. Discover why a clear message on your website, lead generator, and email sales sequence are key components of any successful strategy.
Overwhelmed by Marketing? Use This 3-Stage Strategy to Drive Results Fast
When you’re running your own marketing, it’s hard to know where to focus first. Making a haphazard choice can set you back months - and thousands of dollars. In this blog post, you’ll learn the three key stages every successful marketing strategy needs - from foundational elements to automated systems to ongoing content. With these in place you will reach new audiences and foster engagement with old ones. All without having to worry if you’re putting your efforts in the wrong place.
9 Questions with Annie Schiffmann by Nine Dots Media
Nine answers to nine questions about the work I do, who I work with, what I create, and why my favorite animated character rules. You'll find out how my improv backgrounds informs my approach to my work, and why I believe automations are so vital right now. Thanks to Geoffrey Klein from Nine Dots Media for having me on LinkedInsights.
6 Strategies to Maximize Affiliate Links
If you’ve signed up for an affiliate program, you want to make it work for your business. In this post, you’ll learn how to can create a few marketing assets to put on autopilot so that you can perpetually drive revenue.
NEW! Downstage Media Certified in Mailchimp Automation
Are you time-strapped, looking for help with your email marketing campaigns? Look no further – Downstage Media has gained another certification with Mailchimp - Automation. Learn about Annie Schiffmann's Mailchimp certifications and see how they can help you free up valuable time and make email marketing easier!