From Convertkit To Kit, Creating Creator Platforms and Becoming Sub-Monopoly

If you have been on the Internet for a long time, you will have found yourself on some of the sites like Aweber, Convertkit, Blogger, WordPress, etc.

This is particularly true if you have ventured into either owning a domain or having to start a blog of your own. Everyone starts with writing early because that’s the easiest way to disseminate information online.

And when you do so, you search for how to make the most of your writing journey. Then you are bombarded with advice like owning your domain, newsletter and hosting. The free platforms can remove everything you create with a single change in terms. This has happened before and will happen again. So you look for the hosting and find a platform; for writing ann aasletter,, yu jump on another platform; for the domain you,, find a third platform.

But then a platform exists where you can do everything,e WordPress.com. They provide all the things. But the drawback is that you either get all the good customer service or all the bad. However, because all of these coexist, it becomes increasingly difficult to move to other platforms because of how well they interact. It’s sorta like the Apple ecosystem – they interact and work seamlessly, so once you buy in, you are locked in.

Enter ConvertKit

Nathan Barry started many ventures, and most failed except a few where he had some success. But nothing near the status he wanted. On his journey, he wanted a newsletter platform catering to bloggers.

Since such a niche catering offering was rare, all other platforms offered a one-size-fits-all program, and he had an opportunity. From personally onboarding huge clients to making the system good enough, he made a name for himself. Despite not offering free trials early on, he created a name many bloggers wanted to be a part of.

Slowly and surely, the Convertkit company grew with employees to a multi-million dollar status.

He offered equity to his employees. However, this equity meant nothing because if there is no liquidity, then equity is money on paper that has no real use. This happened because Convertkit never intended to go public or sell all of his company. Nathan wanted to keep growing the company, and while this was an ambitious plan, it was foolish because most companies would benefit from selling at a particular junction.

Nathan found a mid-way. He sourced the interest in Convertkit, and every few years, he would match those with the people in his company who wanted to sell their equity. This way,, the equityy changedequity equityty, and the employees benefitted.

Convertkit didn’t go public but found a middle ground for theseeemployeess to sell their equities. Such a beautiful thing to do for your employees.

Convertkit – An Example For Remote Employees

Convertkit became a leader in many respects by doing various things for its employees. Remote location is one aspect I saw first in companies like WildBit and Convertkit, to name a few. Many other companies followed suit, but not completely.

Initially, Convertkit used to pay based on location and not based on skill. Naturally, this would create refits in the ecosystem.

Many companies are still following this suit. However, companies like Convertkit and Gumroad pay their remote employees based on skills and not on their geographic location. This is such a forward-thinking attitude that if your remote company doesn’t have this kind of culture, don’t be a part of it.

The Branding Failure

Imagine spending millions of dollars on your rebranding. And launching the same to the world. And it bombs. Convertkit branded itself as Seva – a word so sacred that he got many people who felt this wasn’t a proper use of the name.

This was a tricky situation. Nathan didn’t owe anyone anything. But despite this, he went ahead and retracted this decision.

A branding blunder but a gutsy move.

The world watched how Converkit would move aadvanceven dare to rebrand if needed.

Then came lots of features, a recommendation engine, and sponsorship support. And suddenly, Converkit was offering much more than the newsletter email support. Design your page, write, send a a newsletter, get paid, find sponsorshiopportunityity, get recommended, recommend others and so on.

Naturally, there was a rebranding move in the works. Everyone could see it. But how would they execute it?

And then they did it.

Publicly but slowly. Removing one curtain after another – easing you in.

Convertkit is now Kit.

What’s Next?

Of course, every platform wants to do everything to help you become a high-value customer. At this point, every platform offers everything at varying success rates.

One thing going for Convertkit is the most important most important integration feature.

My only hope is that they don’t mess up their goose – newsletter platform for the sake of every expanding sub-monopoly.