Guest Author - Kristin Peoples
You have a great new business. Everything is going great but you wonder how to reach new customers and existing customers without breaking the bank or making a lot of phone calls. Do you really need a newsletter or is there another route to go? Every business needs some type of Ezine or newsletter to get information in the hands of customers and potential customers quickly and economically. Your newsletter will help you get information out timely. Let's face it, these days there is a lot of competition. Most experts say that you need to have on average of seven to eight offers in front of your customer before they actually buy. You don't want to continue to send sales letters or send the to websites that have your fancy copy page. Newsletters are a great way to soft sale. The soft sale will enable you to keep your business name in front of your potential customer without saying "Buy Now!'
Newsletters can be very timely and give a bit of information right away. The rest of the information is of course there for the sales portion of your business. Make sure your newsletter has:
-Has good information relating to your business. Once the newsletter is read, the reader should feel satisfied that they have relevant information. Your articles should be short and concise but also be memorable. Remember a satisfied reader will act as a great advertisement for you.
-Coupons or 'free' products to the newsletter that will act as the 'carrot on the string.' These offers allow the reader to stop in or look at your business which is another opportunity for a sale.
-Newsletter should have more information than sales. Spammy newsletters will not get opened. Offer a double opt in which allows them to sign up initially and then confirm that they want it by clicking a link. As a newsletter writer, you will feel more comfortable writing for those readers who actually want to read it. Also add unsubscribe information to the end of each newsletter. If you hide the fact that they can unsubscribe, it may come across as a spam tactic.
-Verify and double check spelling and grammar. Read over the newsletter and have someone else do it before you send it out. Missing a letter or using the wrong word can wreck havoc on your business image. Verify that the tone of the newsletter is appropriate for the subject.
-Your newsletter readers should know when they will get their newsletter. It shouldn't come on a Tuesday one week, skip a week, and then come out on a Friday. All of these things affect your overall business image also.
Every business should have a newsletter to stay in contact with their customers. It does not have to be a very long newsletter. Usually short and sweet is the better option.
