Good Morning! Do you have one minute to read and one hour to do? If so, you can improve your small business’ marketing in a big way. Each week, we will provide new ideas. Grab your morning beverage and let’s get started:
This Week: Start Collecting Emails
Whether you know it or not, someday you’ll want to have an email list, and you don’t want to start from scratch when that time comes. While social media, websites, etc. are great ways to communicate with your clients, nothing can beat taking your message right to their inbox.
Start collecting emails in four easy steps:
STEP ONE
Create an account with MailChip or Emma.
These softwares are simple to use and usually free until your list becomes quite large. Create a list today.
STEP TWO
Start collecting emails that people give you.
Never let even one that has any potential at all slip through your fingers. Types of emails you may receive are:
-Clients or potential clients – of course.
-An influencer – yes.
-Network members (anyone that may be able to refer you clients. This is a big group.)
-Friends – those who wish you well. They would like to share info about your company if only they understood what you do better.
STEP THREE
Populate your list.
Try to do this as the emails come in, rather than letting them stack up. Go one step further to create segments and then label your emails addresses accordingly, into the four groups. Try leads, clients, network, and friends and family for starters.
STEP FOUR
Start emailing your list.
Some emails will go to everyone on your list. Some only to current clients. Think what segment is appropriate before you hit send! (Note: Mail Chimp and Emma will have an opt out button for your email in case someone who gave you their email previously changes their mind.)
Payoff – Maybe at first you only communicate with your list by email once a quarter, but you will build up momentum over time. When the time comes for more active emailing, the groundwork will be done and you will be ready!
Want a new bit of marketing each week? Subscribe to the Morning Mark. Like our simple-but-proactive approach to marketing? Visit us at smallbizbrands.com.
