Email Marketing: Get People On Your List

Several years ago when the 'new message' icon used to pop up on your computer screen, it meant you had received a note from an old friend, family member or coworker. Today, more of that form of 'simple' communication is moving to Facebook, Twitter or texting.

As a business owner looking to create stronger relationships with clients and customers, do not forget the power of email marketing.

A new study released by ExactTarget found 58 percent of U.S. online consumers begin their day interacting with companies on email, compared to 20 percent who start their day on search engines and 11 percent on Facebook.

And with the increased number of mobile devices that can send and receive email messages, there is really no boundary to the time and location where you can remind your customers about the benefits of your business. A blog from MediaPost Publications said it best; your customers are your marketers in today's world.

What is email marketing?

In it's simplest form, email marketing is email data-base management. Several companies offer on-line email marketing solutions including the creation and distribution of your own newsletter or eBlast to subscribers. While some people get hung up on giving out personal information such as an email address for fear of being spammed, rest assured that the reputable email marketing companies have a fail-safe method to prevent this type of invasion of privacy. Email marketing is always a permission based subscription service. Once your customer does not want to receive information from you, they have the option to 'unsubscribe' from your list. Most reputable companies offer a simple one-click remedy for this while others make the user jump through several hoops just to be removed from a list. More hoops to jump through - the more upset your clients will be.

How to get started with email marketing

Start with the list of clients and customer who are 'regular' fans of your business. From there, add the names of first time visitors and people you have met at industry events. Encourage people who visit your website and subscribe to your social media site to join your email list. Even a simple piece of paper at a cash register to collect the name and email address of each customer is a great way to add names to your list. The more people on your list, the more valuable your marketing.

What do I send to my subscribers?

A weekly or bi-weekly Newsletter is a great way to stay in touch and remind your customers of special offers, upcoming promotions or special events they are interested in. Your newsletters can also include a video (linked from YouTube) showing a presentation you made at City Hall or a short clip demonstrating a new product or service. The key is to give your subscribers material that will be of interest or a benefit to them. Offer them something (information) first before it is available on any other source.

What else can I do with Email marketing?

Are you interested in sending out a regular email newsletter to your subscribers? Great. There are many companies that can help you.

Are you interested in combining your email marketing with event planning that will track respondents and collect money all online?

Are you interested in combining your email marketing with online surveys that you can send to collect valuable information about a product or service you are offering - without having to use another external source?

If you answered YES to one or any of those last questions, I recommend Constant Contact.

Yes, I am a very satisfied Constant Contact user.

-Darren

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Say What You Mean To Say

Have you ever sent an email or said something that was followed by the comment "what do you mean"?

It happens to the best of us.

Messages can be deciphered into many different points. What is lost in an email or text message is tone and direction which is why I am a fan of picking up the phone and talking directly with the person I am trying to glean information from, or to pass along important information.
The key for successful communications is clear direction and core message development.

Here is another example.
Today is April 28 and my home city of Calgary Alberta is bracing for heavy rain and snow (yes I said snow) for the next 48 hours.
What did you hear in that message?

Did you hear that it's going to be cold, wet and miserable in Calgary for the next two days?

Or, did you hear that Calgary is finally going to get some much needed spring moisture?

Effective message delivery to the Media is just as important.

Before broadcasting a message through all forms of media, start with a clear direction (objective) of what you are trying to accomplish. If you are unsure of your key message, you are not ready for your moment in the spotlight.

Are we clear?

-Darren

What's In It For Me? Effective Email Marketing Tips

In my presentations as a Media Coach and Consultant with Speak Media Consulting, you often hear me use the phrase "what's in it for me?".

To have effective engagement with your customers and clients, you must answer the number one question they have each time; "what's in it for me?".

If you are using email marketing to reach your consumers, are you answering that question?

Is your email marketing still bragging about your 'stuff' and not focusing on the wants and needs of your consumer?
Or have you realized that effective marketing - just as effective communication - you must put the needs of your consumer ahead of your own?

When it comes to email marketing, the trend has always been to use strong words such as "save", "gift", "free" and "now" in the subject line.

From eMarketer.com, the most powerful words for email marketing subject lines are "you" and "your". Finally, the consumer is been recognized as the most important element of the campaign.



Read the full report from eMarketer.com.

Today's consumer is busy and your message has to cut through all the noise created by other effective newspaper, radio, television, email, text, web and Social media messaging.

You read through this message. Something must have grabbed your attention.
Thank you for stopping by. I hope you found this useful in creating your own effective connection with your clients and customers.

-Darren
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Social Media Has Not Killed eMail

For the last six months there have been many blogs, articles and ramblings about the 'death' of email due to the popularity of Social Media.

Speak Media Consulting found this study that indicates email usage is still very much alive and well with Social Media's strongest users.



This is great news for the small business owners and large company CEOs alike. As email marketing continues to grow, this indicates the majority of Social Media users are still using email for daily communication with other friends, co-workers and other business and marketing opportunities.

Read the full report from eMarketer.

Thanks for reading.

-Darren
Media Coach and Consultant
Speak Media Consulting, Calgary AB

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Call in the reinforcements

One of the greatest things you will discover with social media is the ability to ask for help - to call in the reinforcements.

One such group I often call on is Ulistic, a Calgary based Internet Consulting company. This A-Team consists of David West and Stuart Crawford who not only speak the language of everything 'Internet', they also take their time to explain everything using a language you and I can understand.

If you are struggling with an out of date website, or want to learn to maximize your impact using Social media, make the first call to Ulistic.

Over the next few weeks, the professionals at Ulistic will be holding a number of
seminars in Calgary to help grow your footprint in the on-line world.

Take note of these events:
February 23, 2010: How to become Googleable

February 25, 2010: Social Media Training Course
Topics include:
1.The importance of Social Media
2.An overview of the top Social Media sites and how to use them.
3.Hands on setting up your Social Media accounts.
4.Preventing the fatal mistakes with your online communications.
5.Build your Social Media followers – how to get good followers.
6.How to position yourself as an industry expert with your followers.
7.Reach people with practical online videos that tell your story & how to syndicate your videos.
8.Automate… how to manage your Social Media strategy for multiple sites with one tool!

Does this sound like a commercial endorsement for the crew at Ulistic? I hope it does. As I mentioned earlier, I have no problem reaching out and contacting other Social Media specialists to find solutions for clients. Not only will you find your competitors using social media, but you will also find many others that are able and willing to help you get a 'leg up' on your competitors. All you have to do is ask.

-Darren
Speak Media Consulting
Media Coach and Consultant
Calgary, AB

Tell me what you want - what you really, really want

That Spice Girls song popped into my head when I was looking for a title for today's posting. Sorry!

But seriously - when it comes to connecting with your customers either through your website, email marketing, social media and even face-to-face conversation, you have to offer them more than just a 'deal'. Today's consumers are concerned about the price points but they are also very interested in a developing a stronger relationship with products and services you provide. Is your company offering this kind of engagement with your clients and customers?

As a Media Coach and Consultant in Calgary, Alberta, I encourage clients to use Social media as a tool to create this kind of engagement. Social media, when done properly is key in developing deeper relationships with customers.

eMarketer.com just published this interesting statistic from the US:



Notice how customers want to know about specials, features and services. This information is like currency to your customers.

If you have read any of my Blog posts, you will see a recurring theme: use social media. Social Media may not be the primary solution for the success of every business, but it can bring new customers through your doors - and I am pretty sure you want that to sustain the growth of your business. Some companies are fortunate to have a full-time staff of social media experts who are responsible for creating and implementing these new forms of social media engagement. However if your company is new to social media or struggling to understand how to maximize your footprint in this new media, you simply need to look around and ask for help. There are many social media experts who are willing and able to assist you with your learning curve.

So tell me what you want - what you really, really want.

-Darren

Networking - How do you get others to notice

When asked if I could give a presentation on Networking I immediately accepted.
In Calgary Alberta through SAIT's School of Business, they are holding a Business Development Workshop with Junior Achievement where 84 high school students will learn about Business. This is a great opportunity to showcase the SAIT School of Business students while allowing them to play a critical role in the success of the Junior Achievement participants.

My presentation: Networking
It is not about who you know now, but who you want to know tomorrow.

The most successful Business people in the world are always networking. Like most, they started with a small group of friends and supporters who helped get them to where they are today. How? By networking. Your 'network' of associates are connected to other successful associates, and so on.

Start with the people you know now; friends, family, business associates, competitors, interesting people you met at a training seminar, etc. From that list, create a second list with the names of the smartest, those with strong personalities and the most successful people you know. Once you have created your initial 'network', start contacting the people on your list. After you get through catching up on old stories be sure to let each person know what you are currently working on and where you see this project advancing in the future. Remember, you are not asking them for a job. You are simply updating your network with details of your new venture. Ask them to review the product and offer a second opinion. There is a good chance some people in your initial network might seem disinterested in your project but that is their opinion. They are still your friends. But from your initial network you will find those who will take your product and idea to their 'network' and pretty soon you will be introduced to others who share similar interests.

One of the key things about successful networking is keeping in touch. Once your network starts talking about you and the services or product you offer you can not afford to keep them in the dark. You have to keep in contact with them on a consistent basis. Either through telephone conversations or email updates, you need to keep your network up to date. The more engaging your network is, the more likely other people will hear about you and your product and want to join your network.

Do you have a website? Keep the content on your website fresh and offer opportunities to demonstrate your services and your product.
Do you have a blog? One of the easiest ways to drive people back to your website and introduce them to your network is through a Blog. It can be updated daily or weekly. Again, your content has to engage the reader to want to become a part of your network.
Do you send out regular email newsletters? Some might consider this to be spam marketing however the most successful email newsletters will be so engaging that it brings more new people to your network. There are several on-line companies that manage email data bases. I recommend Constant Contact.
Do you use Social Networking? Sites like Facebook, Linked In and Twitter are valuable resources to build your network. I use all three. Provide engaging content that others will find intriguing...the more intrigued they are, the more likely they will want to join your network.

What do you do with business cards you collect at social functions? When someone hands you a business card at a function it is an invitation to join his/her network. If you see this person a benefit to grow your network, add them. Get them on your email mailing list, make sure they see your website and read your blog to really get them excited about your network.

You're fired! Several times in your career you will invite people into your network who, after time, are not benefiting you or your business. Donald Trump has made a career out of firing people. At first, the notion of removing someone from your network seems harsh but it must be done in order to grow your network. At least every year, take stock of those in your network that have fallen silent and fire them. At the end of the day, you can still be friends with them if you want, but they have already demonstrated they are not interested in the growth of your company. Therefore it should not come as a surprise that you are removing them from your email list or special offers letter.

Who is on your network? Take the time to review your lists. You will be surprised at the outcome.

-Darren