Maximize Your Reach: Sending Newsletters to Reach Your Audience

[Chef_2_Four]

I was wondering if anyone mailed newsletters out. I finally have all of my contact info written done from my booth, anyway I got over 100 slips and about half don't have e-mail written down. Is it worth mailing a newsletter out??

 

[chefann]

It depends on whether you follow up or not. I shudder to think how much I could spend on postage and supplies if I mailed my newsletter (I have over 200 on my email list).

But-- if you're just getting started, maybe you could send out one, with a "Please sign up for my electronic newsletter" note, and let your customers/contacts know that you'll be sending that way far more often than by mail.

 

[dannyzmom]

I encourage people to s/u for my email newsletter. I have over 2000 people in my contacts and could never afford to mail out that many snail-mail newsletters.

 

[chefjeanine]

Could you call the half that didn't list an email address and ask them if they are online? Explain to them that since your business is growing so quickly, the most efficient way for you to keep in touch with your customers and provide the best service is through your email newsletter. Reassure them that you will not share this information with anyone else.

I hope that will get you closer to 75 email addresses and you can decide whether or not you want to contact the remainder via snail mail.

I only send email newsletters and I explain this at my shows. I have over 70 names just in the A's & B's!

 

[raebates]

I live in an area where the majority of people don't have internet access. I offer a choice--email or USPS. Right now I send out about a dozen via USPS. One of those led to a $1000+ open house. I think it's worth it.

 

[Chef_2_Four]

Thanks ladies!

 

[katie0128]

I'd try mailing thet newsletters out for a few months. Then check to see if I was making enough from shows/individual orders that are direct results of the newsletter to off-set the cost.

 

[tpchefrebecca]

I don't but would like to start. It seems like a good idea since not everyone has internet access.

 

[Stampaholic1961]

The key to making it successful is to call & follow up a few days after mailing them. Don't expect them to call you! It happens occassionally but most of the time if you don't call them to see if they got the newsletter it will be a total waste of money! I know because I mailed a ton of stuff before Christmas & didn't follow up! The only thing that happens is you keep your name out there. Here is an article I found about advertising. Newsletters are a type of advertising so I guess it applies somewhat.

The Thomas Smith Article on Advertising
Thomas Smith, a nineteenth-century businessman, offered the following advice to advertisers in 1885.

It is still applicable today.

1) The first time people look at any given ad they don't even see it.

2) The second time , they don't notice it.

3) The third time , they are aware that it is there.

4) The fourth time , they have a fleeting sense that they've seen it somewhere before.

5) The fifth time , they actually read the ad.

6) The sixth time , they thumb their nose at it.

7) The seventh time , they start to get a little irritated with it

8) The eighth time , they start to think, "Here's that confounded ad again."

9) The ninth time they see the ad, they start to wonder if they might be missing out on something.

10) The tenth time, they ask their friends and neighbors if they've tried it.

11) The eleventh time, they wonder how the company is paying for all these ads.

12) The twelfth time they see the ad, they start to think that it must be a pretty good product.

13) The thirteenth time , they start to feel it has value.

14) The fourteenth time , they start to remember wanting a product like this for a very long time .

15) The fifteenth time, they start to yearn for it because they can't afford to buy it.

16) The sixteenth time, they accept the fact that they will buy it sometime in the future.

17) The seventeenth time they see your ad, they make a note to buy what you offer.

18) The eighteenth time, they curse their poverty for not following them to buy this terrific product.

19) The nineteenth time, they count their money very carefully.

20) The twentieth time prospects see your ad they buy what you are offering.