Ok, this is the final installment in this series. In this last writing, I intend to inform you of the possibilities available to you when it comes to “email marketing”. I will try and list some specific examples, and also leave something to the imagination, and hopefully this will spark some creativity on your end. Every business is different and you know your customers better than I do!
So we have learned a bit about the power of autoresponders. We know that we can set up series of pre-written emails designed to sell people on your list the benefit of choosing “you” over your competition. We have learned that we can also (and more importantly) converse with our customers.
Now it’s time to delve into HOW to use this email list to drive sales. Assuming that there is plenty of information being passed along to your customers for free, and they remain faithful members on your list, now it’s time to sell/promote/anything that will get them into your business and BUY.
People like to feel special. People on your list will be no different. In order to get people on your list in the first place, it’s a good idea to offer these “special” members “special” discounts.
One example may be a day-before-sale. Let’s say you are a retail store and plan on having a sale on a weekend. How about first off letting your list know a week in advance, then a day or so before offer them a 2 hour “day before” sale where they can come in and buy at the sale prices without the crowds? Heck, you could make the day before a “pre-sale” and hold it on one of your slow week days.
Printable coupons are always a winner, offering members a % off of a certain dollar amount purchase. You don’t have to get fancy with this, a printed copy of the email is good enough!!
You can set up a special page on your website to “poll” your customers. Maybe you want some feedback about something about your business and a “poll” is just the answer. So send out an email with a link to that special page, and anyone who fills out the “poll” (or questionnaire) get’s a special gift or discount on their next purchase.
Maybe you own a service type business. This is the type of business that relies on customers TRUSTING you, so the advantages to corresponding with people on your list is obvious. How about a free consultation? Maybe you are an electrician…offer up a free energy audit. A plumber? Offer to come in and test heaters and furnaces. How about a special discount on a service or maintenance plan?
As you can see the possibility’s are endless, and vary from business to business. I have not even got into affiliate marketing, which would allow you to make money without a customer ever stepping foot into your store! You could turn them on to things they need and get paid a commission when they buy! I know people that make over $100,000 a year just doing this!
Hopefully I have given you some food for thought. The advantages far outweigh anything you can come up with as a deterrent.
Thanks