MTR Virtual Solutions, LLC

Posts Tagged ‘email marketing for small businesses’

Many solopreneurs, freelancers and really small companies considering email marketing for their services are pretty clear on their goals.  In most cases, the primary goal is to grow the subscriber list and drive sales or traffic to a website.   The only thing that’s needed is the web content and a schedule, right?  Wrong. Read the rest of this entry »

Earlier, we covered the intricate details of the CAN-SPAM Act and the importance of compliance in small business advertising.  In this post, we will discuss several steps a company can take in small business advertising to prevent being identified as spammers. Read the rest of this entry »

One of the most overlooked aspects of email marketing is the CAN-SPAM Act.  If you are like many small business owners, you may or may not be familiar with the measure.  As a small business consultant or other professional, you must make sure that the email marketing campaign is compliant with the CAN-SPAM Act to avoid penalties for unscrupulous advertising practices. Read the rest of this entry »

How do web content writers work with small businesses?

There are several ways that companies are using web content writers in their small business marketing efforts.  Internet copywriters are able to provide affordable web content to small businesses in need of specialized writing services.  Here are several ways that small businesses are using web content writers.

Web content writers used in research

Small businesses in need of research services often turn to web content writers. Certain projects require research in order to meet the needs of the small business.  Read the rest of this entry »

A lot of companies in the small business community have an email marketing campaign in place.  Many of these email campaigns make for a great read and others often fall short for a number of reasons. Let’s break down several types of small business e-newsletters that readers desire to read.

Information galore!

This email marketing campaign makes it a point to make the reader’s time worthwhile by providing a wealth of information to the reader.  The content in the consultant’s email is informative, and the links included are related to the theme of the e-newsletter.   The weight loss product or plumbing service is there to be sold, but it feels as though the writer seems to want the audience to walk away with knowledge.  The information was made accessible within the email, and the reader wasn’t inundated with ‘buy now’ or ‘buy stuff’ marketing content.

Just what the reader needed!

This email marketing campaign strives to establish an emotional connection with the reader.  Somehow, the personal development coach or weight loss expert seemed to tap into a personal fear or insecurity the reader might have.  The author focused on establishing a connection with the reader, and provided a quick suggestion on how to tackle that fear, or self-defeating thought.  There may have been an anecdote, or a motivational component that puts the reader at ease once the e-newsletter is read.    The reader feels like the consultant or business coach got it right and personally identified with that particular challenge.

Was wondering about that!

This email marketing campaign answered a question that the reader had always wanted to know.   The lawyer finally weighed in and answered the question about whether or not the contract or will is valid if written in a particular way.  The insurance sales rep finally explained that technical term that throws the reader for a loop whenever he or she sees it in an article, or fills out insurance paperwork.  The reader can now make sense of a technical or legal concept, and no longer has to rely on the casual advice of friends or neighbors on the subject matter.

So there’s a risk in doing that?!!

The author debunked a myth or advocated a practice that would leave the audience in better position.  Thanks to the mechanic, the reader now knows how often to check the tires on an automobile.  Thanks to the veterinarian, the reader now knows that the adult cat isn’t supposed to drink milk, or that a particular plant is poisonous to the beloved pet.   The reader now has peace of mind because the e-newsletter prevented a major costly problem that could have occurred in the future, or shed light on some specific threat.

These types of email newsletters build loyalty with the audience.  The brand is ‘giving’ something valuable to the reader, and for this reason, the reader takes time to open the e-newsletter, or forward it to a friend, or browse the product specials included.  The reader gets that the e-newsletter is a marketing piece for the small business or service provider, but doesn’t feel overwhelmed by the way products and services are presented.  The reader finds value in the content written, and is happy that the content was helpful and not entirely devoted to sales.

Email marketing is changing the way small businesses market their services.  It’s an affordable way for small businesses to advertise and educate their clients about the services they offer.  There are many companies out there that provide email marketing packages at affordable rates and I’ve provided you with a list of ten providers below!

All of the providers below offer email marketing packages with templates and email list management features.

1. IContact- Their packages start at $9.95/mo.
2. Constant Contact- Packages start off at $15.00/mo.
3. Easy Contact- There’s a package for small campaigns that starts off at $0.  They offer a pay-as-you-go plan, as well.
4. My Newsletter Builder- This provider has packages that start off as little as $10.00/mo.
5. StreamSend- The starting price for their packages is $19.95/mo.
6. Contact Pro- This company’s lowest package starts at $9.00/mo.
7. Campaigner- The lowest package starts at $10/mo.
8. Benchmark Email- Their packages also start at $9.95/mo.
9. Mail Chimp- has email packages that start off at $0, if you’re sending less than 500 emails on a monthly basis.
10. Mailer Mailer has a package that starts off at $0, if sending less than 200 emails per month.

If you think your small business could benefit from an effective email marketing campaign, check out a few of the vendors above.  The perfect email marketing campaign educates, entertains, and sells to the reader.  Be sure to connect with your audience on a personal level and be consistent in your marketing efforts.