Some Helpful Tips

Tis the season for many small business owners to create and send email newsletters. For many of you, the email newsletter is a great way to update your customers, employees and partners about what is happening at your business. The email newsletter is also a great way to promote Holiday discounts as well.

Based on the questions we've received this past week from customers, I've come up with a short list of things to consider when creating and sending your next newsletter.

1. Your List is Critical - One size does not fit all.
   Divide up your lists according to age, gender, industry type, and more. Segmenting your audience and addressing them directly is important. Sending the same message to everyone may be easier to manage, but will limit the effectiveness of the email.
   
2. Fancy Isn't Always Better
   Simple, straight-forward emails have consistently proven to be much more effective AND have an easier time of getting through ISP filters. Too often, people think they need to add tons of images and fancy backgrounds - which oftentimes becomes distracting and confusing to the end reader. Bottom line, if you have a legitimate brand and something useful to say (or sell), make it obvious. When in doubt, use a logo and basic text (Artial 10) for solid results.
   
3. Don't Be Afraid To Ask
   The Obama campaign mastered this in the recent election. EVERY email the campaign sent out to the rank and file included MULTIPLE links to make donations. There was never any doubt as to why the emails were being sent. Get excited about what makes us great >> Be afraid of the alternative >> Donate Money to help us win. This simple formula was placed in millions of inboxes each day... and worked! In other words, don't beat around the bush. If you have something to sell, give people a reason to buy and make it easy for them to buy it.

We'll continue to add more tips in the coming weeks.

Stay Tuned!

3Step