As a local business owner, you realize the occasions available on the Website, probably do not have the time or money to invest in a full-blown web presence. The obstructions and costs in building a website keep many local businesses on the sideline.
But as a local business, there is an opportunity to use the marketing power of the Internet at little or no cost, and it does not require a web presence.
Through email marketing, you can have a direct cable to both your customers and prospects. You may analyze email marketing is complicated, but that is a misconception. If you are already using email to correspond, then you are quite capable of advertising through original mail. If you are communicating with your customers through email, you are already marketing online. You are probably aware that a small amount of customer communication can be very beneficial, and email can generate considerable income.
All you need to do is begin collecting customer emails and send them occasional promotions or sale updates. The email ads do not need to code in HTML, plain text messages are quite acceptable.
So how do you start down the road to Internet marketing benefit? You begin by only collecting customer email addresses with their permission. Permission email marketing is a requirement. It’s referred to as opt-in marketing. At all steps of email marketing, you must respect your customers and their privacy. Only when they have accepted your request to send data should you forward email promotions.
How do You Collect Customer Emails?
You only ask! As a local business owner, you are constant in touch with customers and prospects, either in person or on the phone. As a retail business, you could have a clipboard by your register or pre-printed list cards that your customers can fill out.
In the service business, you only ask for their email address when you make contact.
What’s in it for Your Customers?
The occasion to save money or be notified of special offers. People are always looking for a bargain, and through email, you can keep them informed on the latest deals addition, you can warn. Them about new services or products. This is very appealing, and customers will understand this as a value-added service. That makes doing business with you more appealing.
How Difficult is Email Marketing?
It is quite simple.
If you email friends or family, you are quite competent in marketing through email. Initially, your list will be small so you can handle it through the use of your current email client like Microsoft Outlook. You place your customer emails in a “group,” write a message, and hit the send button. Not exactly rocket science. (Remark: Make sure you use the “hidden box” feature.)
But from the start, you may want to consider using an expert email management service. They have a service that is free for lists that are under fifty. Their next step handles up to 500 and costs only $15 per month. A service like Constant Contact simplifies the management of your index. These types of services give features like tracking, reporting, templates, and customer support. Also, they automate the process of people opting out of your list. An important factor with permission email marketing.
What Results Can You Expect for Email Marketing?
Think about the potential profit from simply keeping your customer’s details. This is not invasive advertising, but assent marketing, where your customers have willingly given their consent to receive your advertisements. The like they are saying, “Please let me spend many funds with your business.”
If you already have a website then you will also want to add an opt-in box. Allow your site visitors to join your promotional list.
From a marketing perspective, it doesn’t get any more aim than this. And your advertising costs are insignificant. A perfect example is a local wine store owner who works her list double a week with special promotions. It makes a new store and often sells out her promotional inventory through email alone.
As a local business owner, there are occasions and there are golden opportunities. It’s simple, direct, and very profitable. And yet local businesses are taking benefit of email marketing. Why not lead the pack.
