Outline of What’s Covered in This Event:

• Introduction and event structure
• Site housekeeping essentials for Zenler users
• The importance of testing from the student perspective
• Building efficient email broadcasts and automation templates
• Consistency in website design and branding
• Live build: Planning and constructing a successful live event
• Deep dive into automations, both internal and external (Zapier & Pabbly)
• Practical walkthroughs and real-time Q&A

Kicking Off: Setting the Scene for a Day with Zenler

There’s something energizing about joining a live, all-day event with a community of passionate course creators and educators. As I logged into April’s “A Day with Zenler,” I could feel the buzz-this wasn’t just another tutorial, but a hands-on, interactive marathon designed to help us get the most out of the Zenler platform.

This month’s event was condensed into three focused sessions over six hours, each packed with practical advice, live demonstrations, and plenty of opportunities to ask questions. From the start, the hosts made it clear: this day was about sharing actionable strategies, not just theory.

Site Housekeeping: Laying the Foundation

We began with one of my favorite segments-site housekeeping. It’s the kind of foundational work that’s easy to overlook but makes a huge difference in the long run. The session covered:

• SEO Optimization: We revisited tips on optimizing pages for better visibility, using effective headings, and adding ALT tags to images for both SEO and accessibility.
• Media Organization: Keeping the media library tidy was highlighted as a crucial step for efficiency and professionalism.
• Testing in Incognito: I learned how important it is to test my site from a student’s perspective, not just as an admin. Using incognito mode and separate test accounts helps ensure that what my students see is exactly what I intend.

One standout moment was the reminder to always test automations and emails-never assume they’re working just because they look right in admin view. The mantra was clear: test, test, test.

Efficient Email Broadcasts and Automation Templates

Next, we dove into email marketing-a lifeline for any online educator. The key takeaway was the power of templates:

• Draft and Clone: Instead of building every email from scratch, I now keep well-designed templates in draft mode. When I need to send a new broadcast, I simply clone the template, tweak the content, and hit send. This saves time and ensures consistency.
• Automation Templates: The same principle applies to automations. By creating base templates for common email sequences, I can quickly copy and adapt them for new courses or funnels, keeping branding and formatting consistent throughout.

This approach isn’t just a time-saver; it’s a sanity-saver, especially when juggling multiple campaigns.

Consistency is Key: Branding and Design

One of the most practical sections was about maintaining consistency across my site. The advice was simple but powerful:

• Save Custom Blocks: By saving headers, footers, or other design blocks, I can reuse them across pages, ensuring a unified look.
• Standardize Fonts and Colors: Keeping a branding sheet with font sizes, line heights, and color codes helps every page feel like part of the same site.
• Avoid Design Drift: The hosts pointed out how easy it is for non-designers to end up with mismatched pages. Their solution? Document your design choices and stick to them.

It was a gentle nudge to audit my own site and tidy up any inconsistencies.

Live Build: Planning a Successful Event

Then came the part I was most excited about: the live build. Watching the team plan and construct a “Day with Zenler” event in real time was like peeking behind the curtain.

Step-by-step, they showed us how to:

• Start with a clear plan: Name, description, date, timings, and agenda.
• Use checklists to track every step, from building live events to setting up marketing funnels and automations.
• Allow plenty of lead time-at least a month-to promote the event and coordinate with guest speakers.

The emphasis was always on planning. “Without a plan, you’re just scrambling,” they said, and I couldn’t agree more.

Automations: Internal and External Powerhouses

The highlight of the day was a deep dive into automations, led by the ever-popular Mammy. She broke down the difference between:

• Internal Automations: Built directly into Zenler, these handle email sequences, student reminders, admin notifications, and more. They’re the backbone of a hands-off, scalable course business.
• External Automations: Using tools like Zapier and Pabbly, we can connect Zenler to other platforms-Google Sheets, CRMs, Slack, and more. Mammy walked us through setting up workflows, triggers, and actions, making even complex integrations feel approachable.

A key lesson was to always check if a task can be automated internally before reaching for an external tool. And if you do use Zapier or Pabbly, remember that while Zenler makes integration easy, you’ll still need your own account with those services.

Real-Time Q&A and Community Energy

Throughout the event, the chat was buzzing. Attendees shared their own struggles with testing, design, and automations, and the hosts responded in real time. There was a sense of camaraderie-everyone was there to learn, experiment, and support each other.

The day wrapped up with reminders to catch replays on YouTube, stay subscribed for updates, and-most importantly-keep experimenting and asking questions.

Final Thoughts: Why This Event Matters

Spending a day with Zenler isn’t just about learning new features; it’s about building confidence, community, and a toolkit for long-term success. The practical focus, live demonstrations, and honest Q&A make these sessions invaluable for anyone serious about online education.

A Day with Zenler: Session 2 - Unpacking the Power of Lead Magnets for Course Creators

Outline of the Event:

• Trust and team dynamics at Zenler
• Deep dive into lead magnets: why they matter and how they work
• The psychology behind offering free value
• Planners and challenges as lead magnets: definitions, strategies, and case studies
• Creating, designing, and promoting effective planners
• Challenges: structure, delivery, and community building
• Practical implementation: tools, automation, and promotion
• Q&A and actionable tips for attendees

Trusting the Process: Kicking Off with Zenler

When I logged into "A Day with Zenler" for session two, I had no idea what to expect. As the host, I’m usually in control, but this time, Kevin was at the helm, and I was as much in the dark as the audience. That sense of unpredictability set the tone for the day: sometimes, the best learning happens when you let go and trust your team.

Kevin’s approach was refreshing-he emphasized the importance of trust within teams, especially for those of us who tend to be control freaks. Growth, he said, is at the heart of Zenler, both for educators and users. And that growth often comes from pushing boundaries and trying new things, which is exactly what we did during this session.

Why Lead Magnets Matter: The First Impression

Kevin wasted no time diving into the topic: leveraging lead magnets to drive course sales. For course creators, the big question is always, "How do I get people interested in what I do, and how do I convert that interest into sales?" Lead magnets, he explained, are the bridge between free content and paid courses.

A lead magnet is more than just a freebie; it’s a carefully crafted asset that delivers real value and builds trust. When done right, it demonstrates your expertise before you ever ask for payment. The goal? Turn casual browsers into subscribers, nurture them, and eventually convert them into paying students.

The Psychology of Free: Reciprocity and Immediate Value

One of the most fascinating parts of the session was Kevin’s breakdown of the psychology behind lead magnets. The principle of reciprocity is powerful-when you offer something valuable for free, people feel compelled to return the favor. By removing financial risk and providing instant gratification, you make it easy for people to engage with your content.

Kevin also stressed the importance of keeping lead magnets fresh. Rotating your offers (monthly, quarterly, or annually) not only creates a sense of urgency but also keeps your audience engaged and coming back for more.

Planners vs. Challenges: Which Lead Magnet Is Right for You?

Planners

Planners are self-paced, structured resources-think goal-setting sheets, habit trackers, or project templates. They’re low-maintenance for creators and appeal to those who like to work at their own pace. The key to an effective planner is focus: address a specific pain point related to your course, design it professionally, and make sure it’s easy to use. Always include subtle references to your paid course as the next logical step.

Case Study:
Sarah’s Productivity Planner was a standout example. By targeting parents seeking a second income, Sarah generated 500 leads and 75 course sales in just 30 days, simply by promoting her planner on Pinterest and in relevant Facebook groups.

Challenges

Challenges, on the other hand, are time-bound, community-oriented experiences. They require active participation, foster engagement, and demand more involvement from the creator. Challenges are excellent for building a sense of community and showcasing your teaching style. They also tend to have higher engagement and conversion rates, especially when structured for optimal length (5, 7, or 30 days, depending on your audience).

Case Study:
Jason’s 7-day challenge attracted 1,200 participants via Facebook ads, resulting in a 50K revenue from course sales. The key was high engagement (85% completed at least one task) and a well-timed sales webinar at the end.

Designing Lead Magnets That Convert

Kevin shared practical tips for designing planners and challenges that actually drive results:

• Consistent Branding: Use tools like Canva to ensure your assets look professional and match your brand.
• Clear Instructions: Don’t assume users know what to do-guide them step by step.
• Testimonials: Sprinkle in real success stories to inspire and reassure your audience.
• Calls to Action: Make it easy for users to take the next step, whether that’s joining a course or attending a webinar.

He also discussed the pros and cons of digital vs. printable planners. While digital planners are easy to distribute and update, printable planners have a higher perceived value and appeal to those who prefer tangible materials. The best approach? Offer both, if possible, and always poll your audience to understand their preferences.

Promoting Your Lead Magnet: Where and How

Promotion is just as important as creation. Kevin emphasized the importance of choosing the right platforms for your audience. For planners, Pinterest is a goldmine-its users are natural planners looking for visual inspiration. Facebook groups are also effective, provided you respect group rules and focus on adding value rather than hard selling.

Other strategies include:

• Content marketing (blogs, podcasts)
• Social media (Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok)
• Cross-promotion with complementary creators
• Paid ads (with a preference for organic, trust-building methods)

Nurturing and Converting: The Follow-Up Sequence

Once someone downloads your lead magnet or joins your challenge, the real work begins. Effective nurture sequences include:

• Welcome and Orientation: Set expectations and get participants excited.
• Daily/Regular Emails: Deliver value, motivation, and reminders.
• Engagement Monitoring: Track who’s most active and tailor your follow-up.
• Bridge Content: Connect the dots between the free resource and your paid course, using webinars, case studies, and comparison content.

The goal is always to make the transition to your paid course feel like the logical, natural next step.

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Kevin didn’t shy away from mistakes he’s seen (and made) over the years:

• Overwhelming Complexity: Keep it simple. Quick wins are better than overwhelming depth.
• Poor Course Alignment: Your lead magnet must logically connect to your course.
• Generic Content: Your unique experience and methodology are your best selling points.
• Low Production Quality: Invest time in making your assets look and feel professional.

Key Takeaways and Final Tips

As the session wrapped up, Kevin’s top tip was to review your current marketing strategy and identify where a planner or challenge could fit seamlessly. Start with one high-quality lead magnet, align it with your flagship course, and master its promotion before expanding.

Remember, the magic of lead magnets lies in their ability to build trust, deliver real value, and guide your audience naturally toward your paid offerings. Whether you choose planners, challenges, or both, focus on authenticity, clarity, and genuine connection.

Closing Thoughts

"A Day with Zenler" was a masterclass in the art and science of lead magnets. From the psychology of free to the nitty-gritty of design and promotion, Kevin’s insights were actionable and backed by real-world results. If you’re a course creator looking to grow your audience and boost sales, there’s no better time to start experimenting with planners and challenges.

And as always, don’t be afraid to test, tweak, and trust the process-your next big breakthrough might just be one lead magnet away.

A Day with Zenler Session 3 - Live Chat for Communities announced, replace Telegram and What App!

Outline of What’s Covered:

• Introduction and event context
• Unveiling three major feature releases:
  • The comprehensive new chat platform
  • Real-time online presence indicators
  • Direct video upload and library integration
• Step-by-step: Building a multi-session live event in Zenler
• Funnel setup, automation, and design best practices
• Q&A, future roadmap, and closing thoughts

Welcome to “A Day with Zenler Session 3”

Hi everyone, David here! Welcome to another “A Day with Zenler” session-session three, in fact. This one was especially important for the Zenler community, and I made sure everyone knew about it. Why? Because I had Rakesh in the house, and whenever he joins, you know something big is about to be unveiled.

If you missed the live event, don’t worry. I’m going to walk you through everything we covered, from the exciting new features Rakesh revealed to the nitty-gritty of building a seamless, multi-session live event using Zenler. This is my firsthand account as your host, sharing the energy, the learning, and the future of the platform.

The Big Reveal: Three Major Feature Announcements

1. The New Chat Platform

Rakesh kicked things off with a bang by unveiling our brand-new chat messaging system-one of the most requested features from our community. And let me tell you, this isn’t just any chat. We’re talking about an enterprise-grade, real-time chat platform that can scale to thousands of users without breaking a sweat.

Key Features:

• Private and Group Chats: Have one-to-one conversations or create focused groups for courses, cohorts, or advanced support.
• Real-Time Messaging: Just like WhatsApp, messages, typing indicators, and read receipts update instantly-no page refreshes needed.
• Rich Media Support: Share images, YouTube links (with previews), GIFs, emojis, and even audio messages for that personal touch.
• Threaded Replies: Keep conversations organized, especially in busy groups.
• Spam Control: Chat is off by default for members, giving them control and preventing unwanted messages. As an admin, I can always reach out regardless of member chat settings.

It was amazing to see how slick and intuitive the chat felt. Typing, sending images, and even recording an audio note was seamless. The chat system is being rolled out now and will be live for everyone soon.

2. Real-Time Online Presence

Next up was a deceptively simple but powerful addition: real-time online presence indicators. Now, at a glance, you can see who’s online in your community, when they were last active, and get instant updates as people come and go.

Why it matters:

• Increased Engagement: Members are more likely to interact when they see others are active.
• Admin Insights: I can spot patterns in member activity to better schedule events or content drops.
• Integrated Experience: Presence indicators work in both chat and across the community, making it easy to connect instantly.

This feature makes the community feel alive and interactive, encouraging more spontaneous engagement and connection.

3. Direct Video Upload & Library Integration

The third big announcement was all about streamlining video sharing. Until now, uploading videos meant hosting them elsewhere and embedding them. Not anymore.

What’s new:

• Direct Uploads: Post videos straight from your device into community posts-perfect for quick tips, announcements, or visual explanations.
• Video Library Integration: Instantly share existing course videos or supplementary content from your Zenler library.
• Content Control: Keep premium content within your platform, avoiding public platforms when needed.
• Seamless Viewing: Members can watch videos right inside your community, without leaving the site.

These features are already available in your dashboard, while the chat system is rolling out over the next week or so.

Step-by-Step: Building a Multi-Session Live Event

After the feature demos, I dove into the practical side-how to set up a full-day, multi-session event in Zenler. Here’s how I did it, live on screen:

Planning and Preparation

Everything starts with planning. Before touching the platform, I made sure to:

• Outline the event schedule (multiple sessions across the day)
• Gather all text, media, and promotional assets
• Define the event’s purpose (in this case, a free lead-generation event)

Setting Up Live Sessions

Using Zenler’s one-to-one booking system, I scheduled three live sessions (morning, midday, and afternoon). The flexibility here is key:

• Single Invite Link: One link for all sessions, minimizing friction for attendees.
• Cloud Recording: Ensured all sessions would be recorded and available for replay.
• Secret Sessions: Kept events hidden from the public calendar until ready to promote.

Funnel Creation and Automation

The marketing funnel is where it all comes together:

• Opt-in Page: Designed a clean, branded landing page for registrations.
• Tagging: Used tags to segment attendees by event.
• Automated Emails: Set up a welcome email and scheduled reminders with direct join links, making it easy for attendees to access each session.
• Replay Delivery: Automated follow-up emails with replay links, either hosted on Zenler or YouTube.

Designing for Engagement

Aesthetics matter! I used Canva to create graphics and matched colors for a cohesive look. By cloning blocks and reusing design elements, I quickly built out attractive pages for registration, thank you, and replays.

Testing and Final Touches

Before going live, I tested the entire flow:

• Registered as a user to ensure emails arrived as expected.
• Checked that join links worked and countdowns displayed correctly.
• Made sure replays were accessible and formatted nicely.

Q&A, Roadmap, and What’s Next

We wrapped up with a lively Q&A. The community buzzed with questions about live streaming, gamification, polls, and more. Rakesh shared sneak peeks of upcoming features: engaging polls, About Us sections for communities, and a robust gamification system with points and leaderboards.

It’s clear Zenler is evolving fast. The new chat and presence features lay the groundwork for even more interactive experiences, including live streaming and deeper community engagement tools.

Reflections and Takeaways

Hosting “A Day with Zenler” was a masterclass in running engaging, frictionless live events that foster real community. Here’s what stood out to me:

• Listen to Your Users: Every feature was a direct response to community feedback.
• Keep it Simple for Attendees: One link, clear reminders, and instant access make all the difference.
• Design Matters: A polished, branded experience increases trust and engagement.
• Test Everything: Even the best setup can go awry-always run through the flow as a user.
• Community is Everything: Real-time chat and presence features turn a static platform into a living, breathing space.

If you’re planning your own live event-or just want to make the most of Zenler’s new capabilities-now’s the time to dive in. Experiment, iterate, and don’t be afraid to reach out to the community for support.

Thanks to everyone who joined, asked questions, and made this event a success. I can’t wait to see what you build with these new tools!