Do your newsletters increase engagement?
Newsletters are an awesome way to stay in touch with your database and let them know what's been going on with your business, but their real value is in how much they foster engagement with your readers. Creating genuine interactions with people will make them share your content and increase the value of your brand which is the number one goal of e-marketing. There's obviously the increased sales aspect too, but that's just a by-product.
So the key question is how?
To me, the name newsletter conjures up just that; pages and pages of 'news' about your company, business or brand.
While it's nice to read, it's not particularly engaging and often newsletters lack CTA and any real purpose, so I thought I would share a few ways to make your newsletter the next best thing - not only will they give you credibility in the sector, but they'll also provide energetic content which will hold the attention of your readers.
Use your blogs: Your blogs will obviously have SEO keywords woven through the copy, but their subjects can be about whatever you choose. If you think they're interesting (which I hope you do, or why have you published them?!), put them in your newsletter. Not only will this give some fresh content, but it'll also drive traffic to your website, and that's NEVER a bad thing!
Write 'How-to' articles: How to travel on a budget, how to decorate your spare bedroom, how to start a new business, how to decorate a cake. While these topics don't necessarily need to be themed, adding content regularly will keep people coming back for more and in today's social media world, we know that if people like something they see, they'll share it. Even if one of your articles doesn't appeal to your reader, they'll tag their Facebook friend if it applies to them. So keep it interesting but keep it consistent.
Refer to your website: Your newsletter is a great medium, and it's a wasted opportunity if you don't direct your reader to your website. Hopefully, you've got some info in your newsletter that can be expanded on or an article on your page which they might find useful.
Talk about yourself: OK, so I know that you're not supposed to make your marketing content about you. However if it's relevant to your industry and in moderation I think it's a great way to increase engagement. Let them know any relevant industry news ('I attended this workshop/conference') let them know which books you're reading or any relevant facts that have come from recent studies you've found. It's good for your readers to know that you still have a passion for your cause, it encourages them to read and grow too, and of course; engage with you!
Add visuals: Always a great way to engage and keep people interested, particularly the readers that are visual people and just having a skim through - include images of recent events, workshops and wins to add into your news update.
So that's just a couple of ways to keep your newsletters interesting with the ultimate goal of increasing your audience.
What do you guys think, is there anything you do that you'd like to share??
So the key question is how?
To me, the name newsletter conjures up just that; pages and pages of 'news' about your company, business or brand.
While it's nice to read, it's not particularly engaging and often newsletters lack CTA and any real purpose, so I thought I would share a few ways to make your newsletter the next best thing - not only will they give you credibility in the sector, but they'll also provide energetic content which will hold the attention of your readers.
Use your blogs: Your blogs will obviously have SEO keywords woven through the copy, but their subjects can be about whatever you choose. If you think they're interesting (which I hope you do, or why have you published them?!), put them in your newsletter. Not only will this give some fresh content, but it'll also drive traffic to your website, and that's NEVER a bad thing!
Write 'How-to' articles: How to travel on a budget, how to decorate your spare bedroom, how to start a new business, how to decorate a cake. While these topics don't necessarily need to be themed, adding content regularly will keep people coming back for more and in today's social media world, we know that if people like something they see, they'll share it. Even if one of your articles doesn't appeal to your reader, they'll tag their Facebook friend if it applies to them. So keep it interesting but keep it consistent.
Refer to your website: Your newsletter is a great medium, and it's a wasted opportunity if you don't direct your reader to your website. Hopefully, you've got some info in your newsletter that can be expanded on or an article on your page which they might find useful.
Talk about yourself: OK, so I know that you're not supposed to make your marketing content about you. However if it's relevant to your industry and in moderation I think it's a great way to increase engagement. Let them know any relevant industry news ('I attended this workshop/conference') let them know which books you're reading or any relevant facts that have come from recent studies you've found. It's good for your readers to know that you still have a passion for your cause, it encourages them to read and grow too, and of course; engage with you!
Add visuals: Always a great way to engage and keep people interested, particularly the readers that are visual people and just having a skim through - include images of recent events, workshops and wins to add into your news update.
So that's just a couple of ways to keep your newsletters interesting with the ultimate goal of increasing your audience.
What do you guys think, is there anything you do that you'd like to share??
Let's connect on Facebook because it's always good to meet fellow marketers. Send me a friend request: https://www.facebook.com/tom.andrews.7927