Newsletters

Ashley · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 27

How many of you have newsletters for your customers?How do you make one?I know online they have different programs,but for your offline customers how do you make one?Do you offer coupons,specials etc or do you just put articles,basic information and company updates?I need to start one here for my local customers and just wanted some feedback.I dont know where to start. Shocked

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suescott4eva · Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 241 Location: southeastern MA

Hi Ashley,

When I ask my customers if they'd be interested in subscribing to my newsletter, I ask for their email address and include them in my online one. Just makes it easier having one, plus no postage fees either. Very Happy

If they don't have email or would prefer to receive one in the mail, I would make up a simple one on my computer to print out. I have windows XP (Microsoft Works), and there are some cute templates (tri-fold or bi-fold) that I could use. Or you could simply do a column-style one in whatever type of software you have on your computer, too.

I would include a special discount for my subscribers or maybe a Bonus Buy type special (Buy 1, get 1 type thing), my current hostess specials, any events I am holding offline, new products being introduced, opportunity information, ways your products can be used in their home (decorative type ideas or that sort of thing, depending on your product line).

I like to have a drawing each month especially for my newsletter customers sort of as both a thank you and an incentive for joining my list. If you'd like to see the one that my company sets up online for us, I'd be happy to email it to you to give you some ideas. PM your email address to me if you're interested, and I can send you a copy. If you don't wish to receive future ones, you may simply unsubscribe. Very Happy

With my previous company, I created my own online newsletter with the types of things I listed above, and I did quite well regarding sales and especially with bookings.
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Sue

http://foreveryhome.net/sueburris
Consultant #1000085

www.thewickchick.blogspot.com
Team blog loaded with direct sales/party plan tips, ideas, and free stuff, too.

Ashley · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 27

Thank you Sue Smile

I will send you a PM.About half of my customers dont have internet access and the other half dont so I will see what I can do.Thanks so much. Very Happy

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suescott4eva · Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 241 Location: southeastern MA

You're very welcome. I'm glad to help. Smile

I love doing newsletters for my business. I also did a monthly team newsletter, too, with my previous company. I just started with Scentsy, so I don't have a team just yet, but when I do, I plan on having a team newsletter again.

If you need any help, just ask, as I'm happy to. Very Happy

I just sent my December issue to your email. Very Happy

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Sue

http://foreveryhome.net/sueburris
Consultant #1000085

www.thewickchick.blogspot.com
Team blog loaded with direct sales/party plan tips, ideas, and free stuff, too.

Ashley · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 27

Okay thanks Smile

I will let you know when I get it!
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Anita · Posted: December 19, 2007, 6:37 am Post subject:

Great information Sue! Applause

Thanks for replying!

Sue gave you some excellent information and I certainly recommend taking her advice. Having a newsletter is absolutely vital to your business. I would certainly give your customers the option. I bet you'll be surprised as to how many request an email newsletter vs a printed one Wink

Happy Holidays!
Anita Razz

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BusyMomma · Posted: December 19, 2007, 12:11 pm Post subject:

When I first started in direct sales, the internet had barely began. Oh Boy, you'd think I was old, that sure makes me sound old. lol But honestly, when I got out of Tupperware, the websites had only been up a couple of months for us to use. Laughing

I always did a print newsletter. Instead of worrying too much about it. Just pull up word and write it out. If you can add in some cute little graphics then great, if not, then move past it and just get the info in it that was already suggested.

Maybe print it on a colored paper if you can. Just get it out there each month. The more you are in their mind, the more they will contact you.

Now that said, please try to do as many of them as possible through an online program. It will save you a lot in postage.
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Val

Once A Week Cooking ~ Busy Momma Wellness ~ Mom Chats ~ Working WAHM ~ Easy WAHM Websites

Anita · Posted: December 21, 2007, 9:06 am Post subject:

I had a printed team newsletter a long time ago when I was with The Greeting Cake Company. I'll tell you what, I'm not sure why I never continued that when I joined Stuff a Friend because, that team was THE BEST team I ever had. The response rate was absolutely phenomenal. I know we're kind of getting off topic here but really, it was well worth it.

I would put any new products in there as well as any changes or anything that they needed to know about the company sales etc. I would also have monthly contests so I would announce the winners and the new contest. Plus, I would choose one team member each month and do an interview with them and publish it. They LOVED it and my team was so well responding. It really just took a step up from the normal email newsletter and it was one of the best things I did.

Maybe I need to start that again in 2008?? I have to be honest, I've not really stepped up as a "team leader" with JD Premium products because I have the most awesome team leader and I really don't want to step on her toes. She just does an excellent job with all of us. (If you're reading, thanks Chritina!)

Anyway, Val really reminded me about that and I felt the need to share. Might be something you all might want to incorporate with your direct sales business for 2008 Wink

OH! And I almost forgot, I did a little header on each newsletter kind of just like letter head and the rest was all written up like a letter with bolded titles for each section. I just folded them up and stuck them in a long envelope. It wasn't really anything all that spectacular but it definitely did the job Wink

H a p p y H o l i d a y s ! ! !
A n i t a Razz

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Ashley · Joined: 16 Dec 2007 Posts: 27

Thats awesome Smile

There are so many ideas I have for 2008,thank you all for your advice!
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snols82 · Joined: 19 Jan 2008 Posts: 108

I have a newsletter for my customers. Its sent by e-mail and I do also mail out 2 as well. Most of my customers have e-mails which is great! My newsletter comes out every 2 months. In it I include: New Products, Specials, Promo's, Booking Specials, Romance Tips, Fun Articles, Top Sellers, and I usually advertise the days I want to have parties and offer an added incentive. Oh and whatever other spur of the moment quip I put in it! I do love quotes too. It's nothing fancy really. I just cut and paste some images. Photobucket is great for that!
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healthappeal · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 67 Location: St. Cloud, Florida

I'm actually glad that you're talking about this. I too would be interested in a newsletter, but I don't know where to start.

1. How do you get a template (preferrably free)?
2. How do you publicize it for distribution?
3. Is there a section on this site that gives you "how to's?"

Thanks ladies.

Specifically, how do you create a newsletter. I already have a blog/webpage - so do I create it from there? Or do I open a second blog? Do I create it in Adobe Professional or Word?

I guess I'm from the old school of printing double-sided newsletters, and I'm having a hard time 'grasping' this on-line idea. Help! Embarassed

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Himalayan GoChi Juice
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suescott4eva · Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 241 Location: southeastern MA

Hi Joan,

Here a link on Mommy's Helper Online with lots of useful information on this very topic. Very Happy

http://www.mommyshelperonline.com/email-marketing.html
_________________
Sue

http://foreveryhome.net/sueburris
Consultant #1000085

www.thewickchick.blogspot.com
Team blog loaded with direct sales/party plan tips, ideas, and free stuff, too.

Anita · Posted: March 10, 2008, 8:30 am Post subject:

Thanks Sue!!

Joan,

First of all, slow down and take a deep breath ... you're going to find that you're making this much harder than you think Wink

Let's start at the beginning here .. before we can answer the questions you have, I have to ask you some questions and you have some decisions to make Wink

What "kind" of newsletter are you planning on making?
- An announcement type newsletter - announcing new products, specials, contests etc. (for customers)
- A "content" newsletter - a newsletter with articles as well as everything above (for customers)
- A "recruiting" newsletter - to gain new downline members/recruits etc

You mentioned templates and even went as far as mentioning Adobe Professional ...
I'm assuming you're wanting to create an HTML newsletter? Are you aware you can create just a simple text newsletter also?

So, that brings me to the next question ...
Do you want to have a text newsletter OR an HTML?

If you decide to go with HTML and you still need a newsletter template (by the time we're done getting you through this you may find you don't need one, lol) ... but if you do need one, I highly recommend going with one of our members here, Lara from DesignedByLara.com. Lara now does all my design work. I'm starting feel like a broken record here but she's fast, reliable, very affordable and does a fantastic job. You can see what she offers in Template Design here:
http://designedbylara.com/Newsletter-Template-Design.htm I know you said preferably free but be sure to take a look. I have a feeling you'll be quite surprised to see how affordable she really is Wink

And I don't know how much of a hurry you're in or when she'll be ready but, she does have some freebies. Her site says the Newsletter Templates will be coming soon. You can see here:
http://designedbylara.com/freebies.htm

If you absolutely have to go free - I really, really recommend waiting on Lara. Usually your freebie templates and things like that have ads and junk like that all over them that totally take away from your site and makes them look very un-professional. Lara's free work is not like this at all. But, if you do go html - needing a template - once you see Lara's prices - I think you'll find you'll just want to go with Lara and get your own custom template designed especially for you Wink

You can go with a blog for your newsletter - set up properly it's practically the same thing and you have your "archives" right online. This could even be one of the best ways to do this - and even very simple. Just my own personal opinion here but if you were to go with the blog idea - I would just create a new blog all together just for your newsletter and link to it from GojiHealthAppeal.com. Let me know if you want to go this route and I can help you through it.

By the looks of your site, you're already well familiar with Blogger so again, this could be very simple. Even though I would recommend WordPress, lol! That's just my own personal opinion (my preference).

Hmm ... why don't I let you think all the above over and then we can move on.

Just a recap ...

What "kind" of newsletter?
HTML or Text?
Where are you going to have it? (On your site, start a new blog, etc.)

Then we can move on from there Wink

But, whatever the decisions ... we have to get you a newsletter going. You can call me the "newsletter police" and this is a must for your business Wink

Take care,
Anita Razz

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healthappeal · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 67 Location: St. Cloud, Florida

Hi Anita - hope everything went well with the floods. And, thanks for taking the time to address this question for me. I'll see if I can make it a little clearer.

healthappeal · Joined: 05 Mar 2008 Posts: 67 Location: St. Cloud, Florida

I've actually made a lot of progress today on my newsletter. My webmaster set me up a page with my themed header and background. I should be able to start working on it tomorrow.

I'll be back here to read all of the tips and tricks that you ladies have already posted.

Have a super day!
_________________
Joan Bailey

Himalayan GoChi Juice
http://www.gojihealthappeal.com
-----------------------------------------
Check out our FREE newsletter regarding health topics and more!
http://www.gojihealthappeal.com/newsletter.html
Looking to supplement your income? Sign-up for our weekly Health Appeal Business newsletter with great information for starting you very own business!
http://www.healthappealbusiness.blogspot.com

Anita · Posted: March 13, 2008, 5:35 pm Post subject:

Sorry it took me so long to reply. Boy, I haven't done very well for you on time issues lately, have I? I swear - ask all the ladies here, I'm not usually like this. I'm usually very on the ball!

Even though you said that you're already coming along, I wanted to answer your questions above. (I like to do this to help out our lurkers too Wink

We have way more lurkers who are afraid to ask than we have members.) Besides, I'll have to put it all together in a nice little article format to help others later Wink