Skip to content
Blog Marketing AcademyBlog Marketing Academy
  • WPConcierge
  • ServicesExpand
    • WP Speed FixFix your site’s performance
    • Strategy CallsMake your business… my business.
    • Implementation SessionsBook it. Then let’s build it.
    • Technical ServicesGet my hands-on help with your site.
    • HostingFast, reliable web hosting managed for you
    • Concierge ToolkitThe tools and services I use
    • Anytime CreditsUse credits to book calls and services.
    • TestimonialsWhat clients have said
    • All Client Services
  • ContentExpand
    • BlogLatest articles, guides and reviews
    • Video LibraryTutorials, training series and much more.
    • NewsletterArchives of the weekly newsletter, WP Edge
    • YouTubeFree tutorials, reviews, tips and WordPress training
    • DocumentsLibrary of worksheets and documents
    • Podcast ArchivesArchived episodes of my podcast
    • View All The Latest
  • About
Free Stuff
Account Client Login
Blog Marketing Academy

Issue #67

Tool shopping?

Sent onJanuary 23, 2018

The Lab Community forum is a pretty cool (and active) place, but I was going in there this morning to answer questions and I noticed something.

A decent chunk of the threads being started over the last few weeks have to do with TOOLS.

People asking for thoughts on membership platforms, email services, themes, yada yada.

And, I get it. This is part of what the Lab Community is for. But, I think it also invites me to send up a little flare to ensure you understand this…

Here’s the thing…

More than likely, the specific tool you select in your business will have very little to do with your success (or lack thereof). It REALLY doesn’t matter all that much.

For instance, one of my Lab members recently asked this in the community:

“I’m currently using Getresponse and would like to understand the specific benefits that Drip offers over it. Or is it an inappropriate comparison?”

Now, don’t get me wrong. I like Drip. I use Drip. But, clearly, he is using GetResponse and he’s pondering a switch.

Why?

Is there some big constraint he’s experiencing that would necessitate such a move? I mean, Drip and GetResponse work differently, but they’re both great tools. And, guess what… THEY BOTH SEND EMAIL. 🙂

And in most cases I’ve seen (and hell, I do it, too)… any constraints we have with regard our email has nothing to do with the tool. It has to do with US. We’re either not writing enough email, not utilizing email campaigns effectively, or are doing one-off broadcasts only without really using the tool we have. So, if that’s the case, why switch?

It is really easy to get side-tracked in shopping for tools…. almost as if the tool is going to make or break the business. And, in rare cases is that true.

If you need a theme and you get into an endless loop looking at Thrive Themes, StudioPress, Elegant Themes, etc…. the truth is IT DOESN’T MATTER. Just pick one and move on.

If you need a membership platform and you’re spinning your wheels comparing MemberMouse, s2Member, MemberPress, Wishlist… why? Truth is, all of them will do what you want. It is a rare membership site that actually needs anything but the most common features.

So, here’s the thing…

I’m not saying tools don’t matter. They do.

What I am saying is to not allow yourself to get sidetracked over them.

Tool shopping isn’t building your business. It’s a procrastination technique.

The way to make forward movement is to roll your sleeves up and do what needs to be done.

… and you can do that with almost any tool out there.

The ones I recommend are the ones I think are the best fit for the majority of my audience… and the ones I can personally support. But, it doesn’t mean you have to use what I use.

– David


David Risley

Here’s how I help people every day…


Make everything about managing your site simpler… by having me on your team to help make sure everything goes smoothly. By providing the very best tools, the best hosting and maintaining everything for you… I’ll take care of the mechanics so you can just focus on growth.

Learn More About Concierge

  • WP Speed Fix. Get the performance scores and core web vitals for your website fixed. Let me deal with the nerdy stuff. And let’s make your site purr like a kitten.
  • Technical Service: Going cross-eyed with WordPress plugins, theme changes, membership site setup, automations? Having difficulty making it all work? I can handle it. Ala carte work, as needed. No contracts.
  • Book A Call Anytime!. You can book either a strategy call (to talk strategy and planning) or an implementation session (where we’ll work on your site together).
  • ONEPass – All Access Pass To Every Course In The Library. For one small one-time purchase, you can unlock every course in the Blog Marketing Academy library. For life.
  • Get Some Anytime Credits. Use credits on your account to book development work or calls. Credits don’t expire, so services are flexible and “pay as you go”.
Learn More About What I Do

Did you like this issue? Consider sharing the opt-in page on social media to help it grow.
And feel free to forward it on to somebody you think will benefit from it.


The WP Edge is the official weekly newsletter of the Blog Marketing Academy.

The Weekly Newsletter For Creators, Membership Site Owners, Coaches and Marketers Using WordPress
Discover new tools and strategies while keeping up with the world of WordPress. Sent on Monday mornings.
OPTIN - General Newsletter (Sidebar)
Facebook X YouTube

Categories

  • Building Your Platform
  • Email Marketing Automation
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Membership Sites
  • Planning & Launch
  • Traffic & Conversion

Work With Me

  • Concierge
  • WP Speed Fix
  • Strategy Calls
  • Implementation Sessions
  • Technical Services
  • Anytime Credits
  • ONEPass Membership

Resources

  • Blog
  • Video Library
  • Newsletter Archives
  • Documents
  • About
  • Contact

Copyright © 2008-2025 | A project of David Risley Enterprises (PC Media, Inc.). All Rights Reserved.

Hosting partner: Rocket Hosting

  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Affiliate Disclaimer
  • Site Map

The WP Edge is the weekly newsletter for creators, membership site owners, coaches and marketers using WordPress.

Discover new tools and strategies while keeping up with the world of WordPress. Sent on Monday mornings.

OPTIN – General Newsletter (Sidebar)

You can easily unsubscribe anytime you want. I share nothing and I flog spammers for fun.

  • Client Services
    • Concierge
    • Strategy Calls
    • Implementation Sessions
    • WP Speed Fix
    • Technical Services
    • Hosting
    • Anytime Credits
    • Testimonials
  • Blog
  • Video Library
  • Resources
    • Concierge Toolkit
    • Newsletter
    • Documents
    • Podcast Archives
    • About
    • Contact
  • ONEPass – All Access Pass
  • Log In