The strength of its relationships with local customers is the one thing that helps every local business survive. When a company focuses on customer relationships, it is far more likely to be successful.
Email marketing gives an excellent opportunity for your local business to grow. You can nurture and build stronger relationships with your existing customers. In addition, you have opportunities to reach new customers and show them your products or services.
In this blog post, I’ll show you how to set up and use email marketing to grow your local business.
Create an email marketing account
First things first, you need an email marketing platform. I recommend using Pepper Studio Pro, the platform I developed specifically for clients like you. Here’s a step-by-step guide to getting started:
- Sign Up: Visit Pepper Studio Pro and create an account.
- Set Up Your Account: Follow the prompts to set up your account. This includes entering your business information and setting up your email preferences.
- Authenticate Your Domain: For better email deliverability, set up SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail). This ensures your emails are less likely to end up in spam folders.
- Import Your Contacts: If you already have a customer list, import it into Pepper Studio Pro. Make sure you have permission to email these contacts.
Pick a schedule
Before you send any emails, decide how often you’d like to send them and when. Most small businesses choose to send emails weekly or monthly. Each email will typically be 150–500 words, and you can include images. Choose a regular date and time to send your emails. This helps your readers get used to reading your emails, and they’ll start to look forward to them.
What should you write about?
A common misconception is that email marketing should only be for promotions and special offers. While it’s an excellent platform for this, you can also share many other things with your readers. Here are a few ideas:
- Company News: Share updates about your business, new products, or services.
- Industry News: Keep your customers informed about what’s happening in your industry.
- Tips and Ideas: Provide valuable advice related to your products or services.
- Behind-the-Scenes: Give people a look at what goes on behind the scenes at your business.
Write your first emails upfront
Try to write your first few emails before you send the first one. By writing in advance, you give yourself a small buffer in terms of time. You can write as many emails in advance as you like and schedule them to be sent out on a specific day and time. Some business owners schedule one day per month to write and schedule all of their emails in advance.
Encourage sign-ups
Now that you’ve got an email list, you’ll want to encourage your customers to sign up. Here’s how:
- Website: Add a sign-up form in a prominent place on your website.
- Business Premises: Display your newsletter details at your business location.
- Business Cards and Invoices: Include your newsletter sign-up details on business cards and invoices.
- Social Media: Promote your newsletter on your social media channels.
The more opportunities you give your customers to sign up, the more people will join your list.
Keep writing
Once you get started, the most important thing to remember is to keep going. Don’t be disheartened by the early days when your email list is just beginning. Over time, more people will join your list, and you’ll grow. Remember that each email you send is a chance to help strengthen and grow relationships with your local customers.
Ready to take your email marketing to the next level? At Chili Pepper Design, we specialize in helping local businesses like yours succeed. Our all-in-one sales and marketing platform, Pepper Studio Pro, is designed to make email marketing easy and effective. Sign up today and watch your local business thrive!
For more information and to get started, visit Pepper Studio Pro or contact us at Chili Pepper Design. Let’s grow your business together!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I use email marketing for my local business?
Email marketing is a powerful tool for local businesses because it allows you to directly connect with your customers, keep them informed about your products or services, and build stronger relationships. It also offers a high return on investment and can help you stay top of mind with your local audience.
How often should I send emails to my customers?
The frequency of your emails depends on your business and your audience. Most small businesses find success with weekly or monthly emails. Consistency is key, so choose a regular date and time to send your emails to help your readers get used to seeing them in their inbox.
What types of content should I include in my emails?
While promotions and special offers are great for email marketing, you should also consider sharing company news, industry updates, helpful tips, and behind-the-scenes looks at your business. This variety of content keeps your emails interesting and valuable to your readers.
How can I grow my email list?
To grow your email list, make it easy for customers to sign up. Place sign-up forms prominently on your website, promote your newsletter on social media, and include sign-up information on business cards, invoices, and at your business location. Offering incentives, like exclusive discounts or free resources, can also encourage sign-ups.
What are SPF and DKIM, and why are they important for email marketing?
SPF (Sender Policy Framework) and DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) are email authentication protocols that help improve your email deliverability. By setting them up, you reduce the chances of your emails ending up in spam folders, ensuring that your messages reach your customers’ inboxes. These protocols verify that your emails are coming from a trusted source, which builds trust with email providers and recipients.
What are some best practices for optimizing open rates and engagement?
To optimize open rates and engagement, follow these best practices:
- Compelling Subject Lines: Craft engaging and relevant subject lines to capture your readers’ attention.
- Personalization: Personalize your emails with the recipient’s name and relevant content to make them feel valued.
- Mobile Optimization: Ensure your emails are mobile-friendly since many users read emails on their smartphones.
- Clear Call-to-Actions: Include clear and compelling call-to-actions (CTAs) to guide your readers on what to do next.
- Segment Your Audience: Segment your email list based on interests, behaviors, or demographics to send more targeted content.
- Test and Analyze: Regularly test different email elements (A/B testing) and analyze the results to understand what works best for your audience.