Many small business owners are asking why newsletters are so important. What does it mean to their business? Why is it necessary?
There are a few key reasons to be sending out a monthly newsletter and how they have contributed to the success of many businesses.
It is more important than ever with the poor economy and stiff competition these days to stay in front of your customers and prospects at all times and to build long term, trusting relationships. With a monthly newsletter, you can do this in a fun, and non threatening manner.
Monthly newsletters are a great way to stay in touch with your client base and to further educate prospective customers. Buying during a bad economy (those big ticket items especially) can be a very emotional undertaking. The more your prospect is educated, and trusts and understands what your company does and how you can help is all about, the more comfortable they will feel when choosing who they want to deal with (and buy from).
New referrals can be triggered in such ways as including a referral contest in your newsletter. Perhaps give away a gift certificate or a free dinner at a popular restaurant in your area. Have a quiz to see how much they know. Make it fun. Include jokes and general items of interest.
Invite more people into your business or have the opportunity to up-sell by including coupons for dollars off of their next purchase of product or a procedure. Newsletters are a great way to introduce new services, technology and techniques.
It's an effective tool for giving updates or changes to your business and industry in general. For example, you may be moving to a bigger location or expanding your existing location, you may have a new employee or you may be introducing workshops or seminars or, you may be having a special event. You might be teaming up with someone else of interest in your industry that complements what you do. It's a great way to introduce other people of importance that you may be doing work with, or are being educated by, or that you're associated with. Have an "Expert" of the month and publish one of their articles. Have a "Customer of the Month" and share their success story.
You can have a special interest story from one of your clients talking about their experience with your company and the product/service they have purchased. People love to hear about what's going on in any business they are interested in and there's always a story there to talk about.
Essentially, your customers and prospects will know what's new in your business on a monthly basis. How often have you gone somewhere else for a service or item because you didn't know your existing supplier had it? Think of the dollars they lost because you went elsewhere. It's also a simple way to help to keep your database of contact information up to date.
Keep these things in mind when putting out a newsletter:
Keep your audience in mind and give them information that's pertinent to them It should be educational Have a few good core articles, a message from you, tidbits, industry news, cartoons etc. Special offers should be included There should be a section that prompts them to refer a friend In today's economy, more and more people are using their coupons. Be sure to include one. Keep it clean and simple and stick to your deadline (build in a cushion for unexpected delays) Get customer feedback. It's important to be putting what they're looking for in front of them.
Newsletters are one of the least expensive advertising and marketing tools. Some companies offer great inexpensive templates that you can follow or you can take a crack at it and create something unique yourself. I hope to get a copy of your newsletter soon!
There are a few key reasons to be sending out a monthly newsletter and how they have contributed to the success of many businesses.
It is more important than ever with the poor economy and stiff competition these days to stay in front of your customers and prospects at all times and to build long term, trusting relationships. With a monthly newsletter, you can do this in a fun, and non threatening manner.
Monthly newsletters are a great way to stay in touch with your client base and to further educate prospective customers. Buying during a bad economy (those big ticket items especially) can be a very emotional undertaking. The more your prospect is educated, and trusts and understands what your company does and how you can help is all about, the more comfortable they will feel when choosing who they want to deal with (and buy from).
New referrals can be triggered in such ways as including a referral contest in your newsletter. Perhaps give away a gift certificate or a free dinner at a popular restaurant in your area. Have a quiz to see how much they know. Make it fun. Include jokes and general items of interest.
Invite more people into your business or have the opportunity to up-sell by including coupons for dollars off of their next purchase of product or a procedure. Newsletters are a great way to introduce new services, technology and techniques.
It's an effective tool for giving updates or changes to your business and industry in general. For example, you may be moving to a bigger location or expanding your existing location, you may have a new employee or you may be introducing workshops or seminars or, you may be having a special event. You might be teaming up with someone else of interest in your industry that complements what you do. It's a great way to introduce other people of importance that you may be doing work with, or are being educated by, or that you're associated with. Have an "Expert" of the month and publish one of their articles. Have a "Customer of the Month" and share their success story.
You can have a special interest story from one of your clients talking about their experience with your company and the product/service they have purchased. People love to hear about what's going on in any business they are interested in and there's always a story there to talk about.
Essentially, your customers and prospects will know what's new in your business on a monthly basis. How often have you gone somewhere else for a service or item because you didn't know your existing supplier had it? Think of the dollars they lost because you went elsewhere. It's also a simple way to help to keep your database of contact information up to date.
Keep these things in mind when putting out a newsletter:
Keep your audience in mind and give them information that's pertinent to them It should be educational Have a few good core articles, a message from you, tidbits, industry news, cartoons etc. Special offers should be included There should be a section that prompts them to refer a friend In today's economy, more and more people are using their coupons. Be sure to include one. Keep it clean and simple and stick to your deadline (build in a cushion for unexpected delays) Get customer feedback. It's important to be putting what they're looking for in front of them.
Newsletters are one of the least expensive advertising and marketing tools. Some companies offer great inexpensive templates that you can follow or you can take a crack at it and create something unique yourself. I hope to get a copy of your newsletter soon!
About the Author:
Some companies offer great inexpensive ideas that you can follow or you can take a crack at it and create something unique yourself.
The Communication Blog
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