Email newsletter campaigns can be an efficient and affordable way to keep consumers updated on your brand. You can share information about new products or services, spread word about company events, and connect with your audience on a more personal level.
The challenge, of course, is that your subscribers’ inboxes are already overflowing. Your emails have to provide true value to cut through the clutter and get opened.
Initially published through Forbes Coaches Council
Build Your List
Every sale comes from a list. The first priority of creating and distributing a newsletter is to build an audience of people that would be interested in what you have to say. Build a list one name or person at a time. Work on building your list every day, then treat the list with respect, and value the people who desire to listen to your content. – Ken Gosnell, CEO Experience
Get Your Community To Contribute
Newsletters tend to be one-way conversations. But within your community, there is a vast richness of knowledge and experience. We’re inviting our community to join a “contributors list” where we post questions and ask for their advice and tips. These will be shaped into articles and blog posts shared via our newsletter. We’re anticipating a much higher open rate. – Gabriella Goddard, Brainsparker Leadership Academy
Understand The Value You’re Providing
Notice the communications you receive. Skim through and compare to others you look forward to and relish. What’s the difference? Valuable content. One hits the mark for you while the other is boring or irrelevant and not worth your time. Why do people want to hear from you? What do you offer that’s worth their time? Focus on this and you’ll provide valuable content. – Christine J. Culbertson (Boyle), Coach Christine
Try Video Content
Create a video newsletter instead of email. Your audience will thank you. In terms of length, keep it under two minutes for the greatest engagement and distribute via a brief permission-based text message that specifies how long the video is, with a direct link to the video so they can see it from their phone. Short and simple is best! – Ashley Good, Ashley Good Coaching & Consulting
Share New Insights To Old Challenges
My top tip for creating and distributing a newsletter includes glitz, glamour and substance. Since there is so much data in our lives already, it is important for newsletters to create a sense of exclusivity in readers by sharing new insights to old challenges through unique content. Merely repackaging information that circulates around the internet is a sure way to turn off your audience. – Lillian Gregory, The Institute for Human and Leadership Excellence
Make It Feel Like A Conversation
My top tip is to use the newsletter to start two-way conversations. Use a tool that allows you to track readers, then follow up with them. You might send a thank you note to consistent readers or ask them how your tip resonated. When someone replies with a comment or appreciation, write back. It’s such a terrific way to begin a conversation, but too often the opportunity to engage is overlooked. – Kelly Tyler Byrnes, Voyage Consulting Group
ShareTips, Not Sales Pitches
Top tip for creating a newsletter: Don’t create a newsletter. Nobody really likes or reads them. Create a weekly or monthly tip and call it so, and don’t sell anything. Everyone is looking for tips. Provide valuable content (don’t sell) and distribute it consistently. I’ve been providing my following a “Leadership Tip of the Week” for eight years. It has become my best salesperson. – Randy Goruk, The Randall Wade Group, LLC
Establish A Consistent, Appropriately Frequent Schedule
Of course, you have an important message to share, but it may not be the most important thing in the life of your subscribers and fans. Bear this in mind, and establish a regular and consistent rhythm (maybe monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly) so you aren’t filling inboxes, and what you lack in frequency can be made up for in quality. – Billy Williams, Archegos
Include A Clear Call To Action
When it comes to creating and distributing a newsletter, clearly identify your call to action and be repetitive. State what you want the recipient to do, provide simple instructions and offer an incentive to those who take action. Most newsletters that do not have a clear call to action are left unread. – A. Margot Brisky, ELDA4U, LLC
Make It Fun
I used to see writing my newsletter as a chore. I outsourced it to my virtual assistant. And then, I decided I needed to make writing my newsletter fun. I started talking to my list as I would to a friend. I shared my learnings and my struggles. The newsletter content was exclusive, not published anywhere else. I was writing to my tribe. The engagement skyrocketed. – Caterina Kostoula, The Leaderpath
Evaluate Whether You Need A Newsletter
If an email newsletter isn’t right for your marketing, you shouldn’t waste your time creating one. A newsletter is a marketing tactic that should support a marketing strategy. Examine your business goals. What are you trying to achieve? Increase number of leads, better qualify leads, nurture prospects, retain more customers or something else? Create your communication piece with the end in mind. – Michela Quilici, MQ Consulting and Business Training, Inc.
Meet Coach Christine
Christine coaches with ROI top-of-mind. Many companies who leverage her coaching produce quick and long-lasting results transforming people, processes and culture, impacting their bottom line. Clients have seen upward of 200% ROI.
Her time with clients generates powerful results in:
- Business and Personal Development
- Communication and Relationships
- Sales and Sales Leadership
Watching and learning at the feet of titans of Canada’s Wall Street and other business leaders, Coach Christine was influenced by their success and built a corporate career and coaching business founded on proven business practices.
She is an award-winning business woman and contributor to Forbes publications; is an accredited coach with the ICF; a practitioner of Conscious Business practices; is certified by the IMPACT: Coaching with ROI program; holds her First and Second Degree Reiki and has studied Aboriginal healing for over 20 years. Christine loves the adventure of travel and has a knock-out collection of snazzy women’s shoes.
When you want more, are ready to bust obstacles and build your juicy, big life, contact me, Coach Christine Culbertson.