Email Marketing

One of the most important services to offer is email marketing. Many times this is overlooked by local businesses because they have no idea where to even start, let alone manage it. The first step in email marketing is setting up an autoresponder account. It is best to use a third party rather than have the business try and host it themselves. Many of the autoresponder services have been in business a long time and have established agreements with all the major internet service providers. This ensures that their email will be delivered to their customers and prospects.

The first step is to setup an account with one of the major autoresponder companies. Next create a list and write some follow up messages. The follow up messages can be anything from useful tips to store coupons. It needs to be something of value to a potential customer. Once the list and follow ups are created then it is time to put an optin form on the website. Place the form somewhere on the homepage above the fold. Make sure there is a call to action and something to entice the potential customer to enter their name and email address. It can be a free report or a special discount coupon for their first order. After the initial message, each follow up should be space about one week apart. You don't want to overwhelm the prospect or cause them to unsubscribe right away. Some of the best information to put into a follow up message is helpful hints. This builds a relationship with the prospect and they will see the business as an authority on the subject.

After a list has been setup for potential customers, it is time to setup a list for existing customers. This will be the most important list that a business builds. This should be a customer loyalty list and offer exclusive discounts and specials. Just like the prospects, create a list and web form for the customers. Then put this form on a special web page that isn't displayed anywhere on the main page. Have the local business modify their receipts to print out this special link on all receipts. Then after a customer makes a purchase, the cashier can point to the receipt and instruct the customer to sign up for the special list and receive exclusive deals. The link can also be printed on business cards and handed to customers after an in home service call. Just instruct the field technicians to hand out the cards after completing the service.

Don't underestimate the power of building the customer list. If a business owner is complaining about slow business, then you know it is time to send out another message to the customer list. This can be one of the fastest ways to get a bump in business. This is something that is very easy to implement and has a big payoff in the eyes of your client.

Stay tuned for more great ways to provide a service for your local business clients.