To grow your business, you need a steady flow of new clients and prospects. To achieve that you need to get in front of potential customers an average of seven times before you become "top of mind." This can be achieved through consistent contact...either through advertising, a website, blogging, press releases, or a combination of methods to reach out to potential customers.
One of my favorites is email marketing which is easy and affordable to do. Start by creating an email list of potential customers by collecting names and addresses on your website or blog, setting an email sign-up sheet out on your store counter or collecting email addresses on drawing or sign-up slips. Next, choose an email service like YourMailingListProvider.com or ConstantContact.com, and set-up a regular email marketing campaign to reach out to prospects and existing customers.
Not sure what to write about or how often? Review my blog for ideas or contact me for a complimentary consultation. I'd be happy to help.
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz
Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedIn
Showing posts with label email marketing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label email marketing. Show all posts
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Newsletter Basics: How to Create an Effective Newsletter
So you've finally decided to give email marketing a try, and you've chosen a service like Constant Contact or Your Mailing List Provider to send out mo nthly newsletters. Where will you begin? What will you write about? What elements should an effective newsletter have? Here are some ways to create an effective newsletter.
1. First, decide if you want to send one topic or more each month. It depends on your audience and how much time you want to devote to your newsletter each month. For a one-topic newsletter, I recommend talking about a particular product or service that you'd like to highlight. For example, you could announce a new product line that you are carrying, a new service that you're offering or an upcoming event you are participating in.
For multiple topics, I have an ideas folder that I tuck notes into as they come to me. Maybe I've run across a great new website that I like or I have a snippet of info. or a cool quote I want to share. It goes into the folder which I review for ideas when I'm developing my next newsletter.
2. The goal of each newsletter should be to increase your customers' awareness of your business. Each time they hear or see your name, the more likely they are to remember your business the next time they need what you offer. To keep your name "top of mind," make sure you: a) Include your business name in the From: portion of the email; b) use a compelling headline to draw readers in (July 2009 Specials: 20% off any spa service this month only); and c) offer them something (a discount, a coupon, free information) so they agree it is worth their time to read each newsletter.
3. Write the newsletter in a conversational tone so that it flows smoothly and it is easy to read. I like to open mine with a brief paragraph about something topical whether it is a note about the weather, the economy, or a news item that has affected us all. This helps my readers relate to me.
4. Include topics of interest to your readers. The newsletter is for them, so include topics they care about. For example, if you own an accessories shop, you could include an item about how to choose the right purse for a casual outfit or 10 ways to tie a scarf. If you are financial planner, you might include a list of useful websites where they can track their investments or monitor retirement savings.
5. Make it as interactive as possible. Engage your readers by asking them to submit topic ideas, Q&A items, a list of their favorite products and services, or testimonials. This lets your readers know what others are thinking and it helps to involve them in the process. The newsletter is not about you as much as it is about them, so create a forum for them to provide feedback.
With these tips in mind, you can create an email newsletter that readers will look forward to seeing in their inbox each month. Give it a try - I think you'll pleased with the results!
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz
Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedIn
1. First, decide if you want to send one topic or more each month. It depends on your audience and how much time you want to devote to your newsletter each month. For a one-topic newsletter, I recommend talking about a particular product or service that you'd like to highlight. For example, you could announce a new product line that you are carrying, a new service that you're offering or an upcoming event you are participating in.
For multiple topics, I have an ideas folder that I tuck notes into as they come to me. Maybe I've run across a great new website that I like or I have a snippet of info. or a cool quote I want to share. It goes into the folder which I review for ideas when I'm developing my next newsletter.
2. The goal of each newsletter should be to increase your customers' awareness of your business. Each time they hear or see your name, the more likely they are to remember your business the next time they need what you offer. To keep your name "top of mind," make sure you: a) Include your business name in the From: portion of the email; b) use a compelling headline to draw readers in (July 2009 Specials: 20% off any spa service this month only); and c) offer them something (a discount, a coupon, free information) so they agree it is worth their time to read each newsletter.
3. Write the newsletter in a conversational tone so that it flows smoothly and it is easy to read. I like to open mine with a brief paragraph about something topical whether it is a note about the weather, the economy, or a news item that has affected us all. This helps my readers relate to me.
4. Include topics of interest to your readers. The newsletter is for them, so include topics they care about. For example, if you own an accessories shop, you could include an item about how to choose the right purse for a casual outfit or 10 ways to tie a scarf. If you are financial planner, you might include a list of useful websites where they can track their investments or monitor retirement savings.
5. Make it as interactive as possible. Engage your readers by asking them to submit topic ideas, Q&A items, a list of their favorite products and services, or testimonials. This lets your readers know what others are thinking and it helps to involve them in the process. The newsletter is not about you as much as it is about them, so create a forum for them to provide feedback.
With these tips in mind, you can create an email newsletter that readers will look forward to seeing in their inbox each month. Give it a try - I think you'll pleased with the results!
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz
Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedIn
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Five Low Cost Ways to Market Your Small Business
As the recession continues into the summer, businesses struggle to stay afloat, particularly newer, smaller businesses. It is times like these that the SBA advises business owners to maintain or step up their marketing...not to cut back. Here are some low cost ways for businesses to reach out to their customers without breaking the bank:
1. Issue a press release. Have news about your business - maybe a business anniversary, a key hire, new product or service? If so, shout it out to relevant media as well as online. Even if your story doesn't get picked up, the online exposure will boost your search engine ranking.
2. Start a blog. If you haven't jumped on the online bandwagon, you are behind schedule. It isn't too late to get started though. Create a free blog using Blogger or WordPress to tell people about your business, offer advice, advertise product and service specials, etc.
3. Embrace social media. If you are not already on Facebook, start a personal account and a business or organization page now. You can tie it directly to your blog, so when you post new info. to the blog, it automatically updates your Facebook page. Are you tweeting? If not, you need to be. Twitter is growing faster than anyone predicted. Get a free account today, find followers, post tweets, etc.
4. Host an event. If you have a brick-and-mortar location (retail store, office, etc.), get customers in the door with a special sale, promotion, anniversary, open house or fundraiser for a popular charity. Anything that brings people in the door is worth the effort, so make sure you publicize the event to current and potential customers to get the biggest bang for your marketing buck.
5. Email marketing. This is one of the easiest, most affordable ways to stay in front of current customers. Starting with a contact list of your present customers, create an email database and start a regular email newsletter or promotional campaign using a service like Constant Contact or Your Mailing List Provider (my favorite). I recommend emails once a month to stay in touch with your customers without being intrusive.
By adding one or more of these items to an existing marketing plan, small businesses can increase their marketing presence during these challenging economic times without a lot of cash. To your success!
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz
Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedIn
1. Issue a press release. Have news about your business - maybe a business anniversary, a key hire, new product or service? If so, shout it out to relevant media as well as online. Even if your story doesn't get picked up, the online exposure will boost your search engine ranking.
2. Start a blog. If you haven't jumped on the online bandwagon, you are behind schedule. It isn't too late to get started though. Create a free blog using Blogger or WordPress to tell people about your business, offer advice, advertise product and service specials, etc.
3. Embrace social media. If you are not already on Facebook, start a personal account and a business or organization page now. You can tie it directly to your blog, so when you post new info. to the blog, it automatically updates your Facebook page. Are you tweeting? If not, you need to be. Twitter is growing faster than anyone predicted. Get a free account today, find followers, post tweets, etc.
4. Host an event. If you have a brick-and-mortar location (retail store, office, etc.), get customers in the door with a special sale, promotion, anniversary, open house or fundraiser for a popular charity. Anything that brings people in the door is worth the effort, so make sure you publicize the event to current and potential customers to get the biggest bang for your marketing buck.
5. Email marketing. This is one of the easiest, most affordable ways to stay in front of current customers. Starting with a contact list of your present customers, create an email database and start a regular email newsletter or promotional campaign using a service like Constant Contact or Your Mailing List Provider (my favorite). I recommend emails once a month to stay in touch with your customers without being intrusive.
By adding one or more of these items to an existing marketing plan, small businesses can increase their marketing presence during these challenging economic times without a lot of cash. To your success!
Virtually Yourz,
Dana Neuts
Follow me on Twitter: VirtuallyYourz
Find me on Facebook, Biznik and LinkedIn
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