calldrdave
Active Member
- Reaction score
- 209
- Location
- Lawrence, KS
As a long time subscriber of the Technibble newsletters,I want to give a bit of not just a testimonial (unsolicited), but a guide on how I use newsletters. This may not work for everyone, but it's one company's experience. procedures, and endorsement.
Getting Customers on the List
I thought it would be hard. People hate spam. I realized this wasn’t spam, it’s valuable information to some people I took my entire client database and gave them an opt-in opportunity. “If you’d like to get a tips and tricks email every month, sign up.”
I got a few dozen to sign up which surprised the heck out of me.
Then I added it to the bottom of our RepairShopr confirmations and now we get one or two a week. That’s not bad for an opt-in.
They’re Engaged
When someone clicks on a link in MailChimp, it tracks the click. When we had our local “Best of” content, almost half the people clicked that link to vote for us. That tells me they like us enough to enter a contest. That’s a powerful testimonial. I’m starting an MSP program so they’ll be the first to get notifications.
Don’t Send It All Out
While I like some of the content, it’s not always a fit for my target base of primarily residential customers. It’s not as much about the quality of the newsletters, but sometimes it mentions products or services we don’t offer.
That’s why I pick and choose: I only send two articles out a month. That gives customers a nice sampling of content without making it too long. That way if one month I don’t like an article, I keep it all in reserve.
Proofread Them For Your Voice
No two doctors agree on everything and the same is true for computer techs. Occasionally, I’ll change some of the content or delete a phrase or two I disagree with. Sometimes the phrasing just doesn’t match my location.
I also add some content when relevant to make it seem local and matched to our client base. One time I mentioned a local story about a recent hacking attempt. Another time I mentioned a link on our Facebook page.
Come Up With A Newsletter Template
For me, templates didn’t quite work out of the box. Instead, I hired someone to make a basic template. That template leaves room for me to add any monthly special offers or highlights. The border has our general contact information on social media and a link to our iPhone app. It was $5.00, and it’s worked for me since the beginning.
Now, I just cut and paste from the MailChimp templates sent to me each month.
Schedule Way in Advance
Since I don’t use all the content every month, I can stay a few months ahead. I’ll even sometimes recycle previous material that seemed to do well. I’m busy, so I don’t have time to deal with this on a regular schedule. I’ll book a few months ahead and then worry about it whenever. I know my newsletter is always going to go out on the first of the month.
It Works!
Not only do people click the links in the newsletters, but I get responses every month. It always generates interest. Most of the time though it’s just a kind thank you for our engaged clients. How often do people thank you for marketing to them?
Getting Customers on the List
I thought it would be hard. People hate spam. I realized this wasn’t spam, it’s valuable information to some people I took my entire client database and gave them an opt-in opportunity. “If you’d like to get a tips and tricks email every month, sign up.”
I got a few dozen to sign up which surprised the heck out of me.
Then I added it to the bottom of our RepairShopr confirmations and now we get one or two a week. That’s not bad for an opt-in.
They’re Engaged
When someone clicks on a link in MailChimp, it tracks the click. When we had our local “Best of” content, almost half the people clicked that link to vote for us. That tells me they like us enough to enter a contest. That’s a powerful testimonial. I’m starting an MSP program so they’ll be the first to get notifications.
Don’t Send It All Out
While I like some of the content, it’s not always a fit for my target base of primarily residential customers. It’s not as much about the quality of the newsletters, but sometimes it mentions products or services we don’t offer.
That’s why I pick and choose: I only send two articles out a month. That gives customers a nice sampling of content without making it too long. That way if one month I don’t like an article, I keep it all in reserve.
Proofread Them For Your Voice
No two doctors agree on everything and the same is true for computer techs. Occasionally, I’ll change some of the content or delete a phrase or two I disagree with. Sometimes the phrasing just doesn’t match my location.
I also add some content when relevant to make it seem local and matched to our client base. One time I mentioned a local story about a recent hacking attempt. Another time I mentioned a link on our Facebook page.
Come Up With A Newsletter Template
For me, templates didn’t quite work out of the box. Instead, I hired someone to make a basic template. That template leaves room for me to add any monthly special offers or highlights. The border has our general contact information on social media and a link to our iPhone app. It was $5.00, and it’s worked for me since the beginning.
Now, I just cut and paste from the MailChimp templates sent to me each month.
Schedule Way in Advance
Since I don’t use all the content every month, I can stay a few months ahead. I’ll even sometimes recycle previous material that seemed to do well. I’m busy, so I don’t have time to deal with this on a regular schedule. I’ll book a few months ahead and then worry about it whenever. I know my newsletter is always going to go out on the first of the month.
It Works!
Not only do people click the links in the newsletters, but I get responses every month. It always generates interest. Most of the time though it’s just a kind thank you for our engaged clients. How often do people thank you for marketing to them?
