I’ve
had several clients recently ask me if their newsletter is ok
– please give them a critique. They are concerned because
after sending out their first newsletter, they haven't gotten a
tidal wave of $ response. So this month, I thought I’d give
some general tips for great newsletters.
The
first tip is - Give It Time! A great newsletter will develop
a following but it may take a while. You may not get any
responses for a long time - but then it happens - as it did for
me.
I
was at a networking event and was walking around the booths
chatting and giving out my card. I gave a woman my card and
introduced myself and she started jumping up and down and
yelling, "I'm your biggest fan - I LOVE your
newsletter!" What an incredible rush!
Write
short. I can’t stress this enough – I’ve seen many
newsletters with long, involved articles that aren’t even
finished in the newsletter – you have to click through to the
web page to continue reading. I can tell you right now, nobody
will really read all that. I’d say generally 200 to 300
words – total! People will just get bored and click away
and you really don’t want that. One of my favorite newsletters
comes once a week and is only 2 paragraphs long!
Be
consistent. No matter what happens, stick to your schedule.
If you promise to publish once a month on the 15th, stick to
your schedule. I have my problems with this one.
Be
yourself. Write in your own “voice” even if someone else
is writing it! Be true to your opinions and beliefs – not
someone else’s. Your readers will know it’s not you.
Let
your readers know what to expect. Change is only
"bad" when you try to hide it. Be honest with your
readers about what the future holds for your newsletter and your
company.
Write
your own content. Collect your own resources even if you
hire someone else, check their writing for originality.
Make
it topical and interesting. Make sure you're writing about
topics that apply to your readers' lives and experiences.
Invite your readers to answer back and become involved – the
more chances you have to create a dialog, the more chances you
have to make a sale!
Call
or click on Pouncy
Designs
for quality newsletter or web site assistance at 253-847-0231. If you already
have a web site, call for a FREE evaluation!
Remember, my
subscribers are very special to me and I would never rent or
sell my email list, so your email address is perfectly safe.
If you liked
this newsletter, pass it on!
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