The following is the ninth in a 12-part series by Fairfield County Venture Mom Holly Hurd on starting your own venture. If you would like to submit your own articles, send them to cdonahue @thedailydarien.com.
Week Nine Emails
Technology has made it easy to stay in touch with your clients and followers. By using I-Contact, Constant Contact, Mail Chimp or another email service, you can collect email addresses of people who want to receive information on your product or service. These email services charge a nominal amount, some based on the number of contacts you have and others based on the number of emails you send.
With each of these web services, you can use a template to draft your letter or customize a template with your colors, logo and tagline. I'd suggest the latter. If you need help with this, reach out to a Resource Mom found in the VentureMom.com directory for help.
Choose a provider you like and begin to collect names of interested parties. Start with friends and family and let them know you'll be sending updates on your venture in the form of a newsletter. Anyone you add must allow you to email him or her, and you may want to send a confirmation subscription notice when you add an email to your list. Getting permission is required by law under "best practices" for sending blast emails.
Now you're ready to draft your initial letter. First you'll have to determine your content you can't send a sales pitch in every letter, otherwise you'll end up in the spam folder.
Send information the clients need. For example, Mindy Kannon the Nutrition Coach sends two letters a week offering advice for certain digestive issues and includes recipes. If you are a venture mom who provides catering, you might send a letter that suggests meal ideas for families. If you are a personal trainer, your letter could describe a specific exercise.
You want to make sure your list of recipients opens your letter with anticipation. Send informative tips and suggestions from your area of expertise. Statistical data within your area of interest is another type of needed information. Other ways to build relationships and create content is to write about clients you have helped. Gather more ideas by looking at what others have put in their letters.
So get started. In this age of connectedness, you want to stay in touch. A newsletter is a great way to get to know your base of potential clients and to help them get to know you. Send a sample email to your friends and family they will be your first clients. Get this group to be the first to sign up for your weekly letter as well and provide feedback on how it's working.
Next week Social Networking and Word of Mouth
Holly Hurd VentureMom.com
Don't forget to follow The Daily Darien on Facebook and Twitter!
Click here to follow Daily Voice Norwalk and receive free news updates.